Welcome to our series grading every member of the San Diego Padres’ 40-man roster. The roster being evaluated is current as of Oct. 18, prior to the end of the World Series. Because of that, it will include players who will be free agents once the postseason concludes. Each player will be graded on their performance in the 2026 season, including the playoffs. That performance will be weighted based on how much time the player spent with the team (availability is the best ability).
San Diego’s Surprise Ace
To use the word “ace” for Walker Buehler might seem like a bit much. The veteran righty posted a 4.63 ERA across 153 2/3 innings this season. He was signed to a minor-league deal with the Friars in hopes that he could perform to some degree. He delivered, and then some. For the final two months of the season, Buehler never allowed more than three earned runs in any start he made (13 starts).
Overall Grade: A
Solely based on anchoring the rotation alongside Michael King, Buehler deserves an A. His ERA is only high due to a tough July that saw him post a 9.82 ERA. Most of that damage came in his first two outings, with Buehler surrendering 16 runs across a nine-inning stretch. However, that came immediately after a dominant June (1.71 ERA, 26.1 IP), so it’s tough to judge him too harshly on that blip.
Buehler hasn’t been the same since he underwent Tommy John surgery in late 2022. He earned Cy Young votes after a dominant 2021 season, but has struggled immensely since. Until 2026, Buehler had accrued -0.9 Wins Above Replacement from 2022-25. He was coming off of consecutive negative WAR seasons (-1.1 in 2024, -0.1 in 2025) heading into 2026, but posted 0.9 WAR with San Diego.
The overall grade has less to do with Buehler’s overall production and more to do with how he anchored the Friars’ starting group. Buehler was, if nothing else, available. The right-hander never missed a single start in the regular season, making 32 total for the team. Only one other pitcher (King) started in 30-plus games. The next was Randy Vásquez with 23 starts. It’s impossible to state just how much that did for the Padres’ pitching staff down the stretch.