The Padres' 2025 season was a rollercoaster for right-handed pitcher Matt Waldron. With a minus-0.1 fWAR and a 7.71 ERA, Waldron's performance left much to be desired. But here's the intriguing part: his knuckleball. Initially, Waldron experimented with the knuckleball in 2021, but it became a love-hate relationship. In 2023, he threw it 26.7% of the time, yielding a .210 expected batting average in the majors. This led to a more consistent use of the pitch in 2024, with a 38.2% usage rate and a .226 XBA. Despite a 2.63 ERA during a 13-start stretch, Waldron's season took a turn late in the summer due to an oblique injury, causing him to miss the playoffs. Moving forward, Waldron's future with the Padres is uncertain. With a poor 2025 season and no options left in 2026, he must prove his worth during spring training to secure a spot on the roster without being exposed to waivers. The Padres' rotation depth chart currently ranks Waldron behind Randy Vásquez and JP Sears. But here's a thought-provoking question: Can Waldron's knuckleball be the key to unlocking his potential and securing a spot in the Padres' rotation in 2026?
