San Diego Padres: Finding a role for Bryan Mitchell

The San Diego Padres still have high hopes for Bryan Mitchell. They just need to find a role for him.

When the San Diego Padres acquired Bryan Mitchell as payment for taking on the contract of Chase Headley, it felt like he was finally going to get his chance. Long considered an intriguing pitcher, Mitchell was unable to find traction with the New York Yankees, riding the shuttle between AAA and the majors. The Padres had needs in their pitching staff, giving Mitchell the type of opportunity he never received in New York.

However, the expected breakout never happened in 2018. Mitchell posted a 5.42 ERA and a 1.753 WHiP in his 73 innings, striking out only 38 batters while issuing 44 walks. After beginning the season in the majors, Mitchell was sent to the minors at the beginning of June, demoted all the way to the California League.

At this point, Mitchell is at a crossroads in his career. He was designated for assignment by San Diego, and ended up clearing waivers and being outrighted to AAA. Given his results at the major league level, where Mitchell has a lifetime 5.15 ERA and a 1.675 WHiP in 171.1 innings, it is easy to understand why.

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Yet, the soon to be 28 year old is still an intriguing talent. He possesses a mid 90s fastball that he can add velocity to at will. Mitchell also has a sharp breaking curve and a cutter; the type of arsenal that would seemingly indicate that he could be a solid option as a starter or an excellent reliever.

That swing and miss stuff has played up in the minors, but not at the major league level. Although he has posted a 8.3 K/9 rate in the minors, Mitchell has a meagre 5.4 K/9 rate in the majors. And yet, he continues to flash enough potential where he remains intriguing, such as his four starts in September, where he posted a 2.19 ERA and a 1.216 WHiP, striking out 15 batters with only eight walks in 24.2 innings.

But what type of role would work best? In theory, a move to the bullpen could be what Mitchell needs, where he may be able to add a bit more velocity and become a viable weapon. However, over his career, Mitchell has posted a 6.32 ERA and a 1.703 WHiP in relief, striking out 49 batters with 35 walks in 74 innings.

Given those struggles, it may simply be that Mitchell’s biggest impediment to finding success is his command. After posting a 4.0 BB/9 rate in the minors, Mitchell has walked 87 batters in his 171.1 innings in the majors. When he is finding the plate, he is getting too much of the zone, having given up 200 hits. If he can refine the command of his arsenal, Mitchell could still be an asset for the Padres.

There is still time for Bryan Mitchell to become the pitcher the San Diego Padres hoped for. It just might take some more time in the minors to harness his stuff first.