Remember when the San Diego Padres shocked the baseball world and traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees? Many wondered how that trade would work out. For the Yankees, it’s worked out well so far, as Soto put together an MVP caliber season this year alongside MVP favorite Aaron Judge. However, for the Padres they made out quite well and a lot better than people may think. Of course, the Padres used some of that capital to land pitcher Dylan Cease, but the prize coming back from the Big Apple was Michael King.

King was coming off a solid season with the Yankees. He pitched the most innings in his career (104.2) and struck out 102 batters. He finished with a 2.75 ERA, which is very good. Well, the Padres got to reap those benefits during the 2024 season.

King picked up where he left off and showed that he can be a front of the rotation player. The 29 year old finished with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. His 10.42 K/9 was among the best on the Padres pitching staff. They were reaping the benefits and it carried into what was a historic postseason.

King Makes Playoff History

It has to be a special feeling being the pitcher for the first game of the postseason for your team. The Padres have a deep rotation, but it’s was Kings turn to take the mound. Facing the Atlanta Braves is not an easy task, as they had to claw their way into the big dance. Welp, the Braves offense had absolutely no answer for King and his arsenal of pitches.

King of the Hill. 👑

Michael King’s 12 Strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/VwXfq9sW74

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 2, 2024

King threw five different pitches in his arsenal. His most thrown pitch was the sinker, and right behind it was the sweeper and fastball. He made a living off of his sweeper. King generated 12 swings and eight whiffs, good for a 67% whiff rate. his sinker generated 36% and his arsenal was cooking all evening. In addition, he finished in total with a 33% whiff rate on all of his pitches.

King was electric and really dominated as a postseason starter. He sent Petco Park into a frenzy as they erupted chanting “Let’s Go King”. He deserved it and with his parents in the stands watching. King became the first player in MLB playoff history to pitch 7+ innings and have 12+ strikeouts, while not allowing a single walk or a hit by pitch. King also went on to make more playoff history. He became the fifth pitcher in MLB playoff history to have at least ten strikeouts, zero runs, and zero walks. This was last accomplished by Logan Webb in 2021. This is also the fourth most strikeouts of a pitcher in their first career postseason start in the Wild Card era.

King was also etched into the Padres history books. He has the second most strikeouts in a postseason game in Padres history with 12, sitting behind Kevin Brown. This was a great day for King and a great day to be a Padre.

King, Padres Cruise to Victory

The tone was set right from the start. King was off to a good start and then a Fernando Tatis Jr two run blast sent Petco Park into a frenzy. King followed that momentum and never looked back and the rest is history. The Padres were the hottest team from the all-star break until the end of the regular season. They carried that into the postseason, pitching a 15 strikeout shutout, zero walk victory in Game 1. It was a collective victory, as the offense did its part and King and the bullpen locked it down.

King showed what he is truly made of and owned the moment in the playoffs. The Yankees better sign Soto, because the Padres have a true gem in King and he now becomes a huge component of the rotation beyond this season.