What If Blake Snell Got Some Time As a Relief Pitcher?

Blake Snell has been very erratic in first season with the San Diego Padres. With the media getting on his case about getting past expectations, maybe Snell can relax out of the bullpen for some time.

It is as simple as this, Blake Snell has not put up the numbers that the Padres have hoped for so far after giving away youth to the Tampa Bay Rays. Did the Rays know something once they dealt him? Did the Rays sneakily win another trade in their franchise? You can argue yes. But a few bad road starts for Snell in a new uniform will not have us give up on him. As a fanbase, we as Padre fans have been so patient with "trusting the process" and relying on A.J. Preller's outstanding moves to put the team here in the first place. Not every player will be stellar right out the gates.

Snell has been tough to watch without a doubt. Sitting with a 2-3 record (7 ER to the Rockies but did not earn the loss) and only recording 61.1 innings in 14 starts is not good. An ERA of 5.72 and a WHIP of 1.565 (Highest since rookie season) will not help out his situation. But being a reliever for some time can. The Padres just oddly enough sent down Ryan Weathers flashing back to what they did with Paddack in 2019. Send the young kid down to limit innings and use of arm. Maybe that should be for Snell too. With the media, everything can get into your head fast, including Snell and the low innings he goes so far. If Snell makes a few appearances out of the pen, there is no worry about how many innings he will have to last. Just get those outs. Gain confidence in those outs and establish a better pitch mix to get back that starter role. In addition, with the injury bug going around, it would bolster the pen for Snell to make some use out of it. Kela (TJ surgery) done for season. Pomeranz (Lat setback), is not due back til at least late June.

Snell can figure this out, but he is going to need some help from the Padres. Focus on those outs and getting back to that once was Cy Young winner. With some success in a different scenario, Snell will eat more innings and be one of the best in the league yet again.