Blake Snell showing Larry Rothschild was San Diego Padres’ problem

The San Diego Padres decision to fire Larry Rothschild appeared to be nothing more than a classic example of a coach being scapegoated. The Padres season was circling the drain, and someone had to get the axe. As it turned out, the wheel landed on Rothschild and he was shown the door.

There was logic to this move. The Padres pitching staff, particularly the rotation, just did not perform as expected. Players could not stay healthy. Blake Snell, their prized offseason pickup, was a disaster. Chris Paddack had taken a major step backwards. Maybe Rothschild was the problem after all.

Larry Rothschild was part of San Diego Padres pitching woes

If Snell is any indication, that is certainly the case. He has begun to look like the staff ace that the Padres thought they had acquired, allowing just three runs on four hits and four walks over his three most recent outings. Snell has struck out 31 batters in his 21.2 innings, issuing only three walks.

Snell is not the only pitcher who has had a drastic turnaround. Paddack is beginning to look like himself as well since returning from the Injured List. He had been one of the more impressive young pitchers in the game in 2019 only to take a major step back with Rothschild on the coaching staff.

One has to wonder if this move will make a difference with the health of the pitching staff as well. The Padres have not exactly had the best of luck staying healthy, which could be a reflection on Rothschild as well.

He was not the only problem as evidenced by the Padres’ continued descent down the standings. The Padres are continuing to fall apart at the worst possible time, unable to remain in a postseason berth. However, the improvement displayed by the Padres’ pitching staff, especially Snell, bodes well for the future.

Blake Snell has been a completely different pitcher since Larry Rothschild was fired. Maybe he really was a part of the San Diego Padres problem.