April 2, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Michael King had an excellent rebound start in Tuesday's 7-0 win over the Guardians. King pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts. He also hit a batter. The 29-year-old's performance was a relief for both the Padres and fantasy managers, as he lasted just 2 2/3 IP in his first start while allowing three runs and walking four. King emerged as a legitimate higher-end fantasy starter last season and has showcased high strikeout upside throughout his career. He has walked five batters in his first two starts, but that has never been an issue in his game. King will face the Athletics in Sacramento in his next start. He is worth starting in fantasy leagues, even though Sutter Health Park has done a poor job of keeping the ball in the park early on.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 17, 2025
San Diego Padres right-hander
Michael King will start on Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, against the visiting Atlanta Braves, according to manager Mike Shildt. King will get the nod over right-hander
Dylan Cease to kick things off in 2025 after he finished the 2024 campaign in downright nasty form for the Friars. In his first year as a full-time starter in the big leagues in San Diego in 2024 after being involved in the blockbuster trade that sent outfielder
Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, the 29-year-old went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, a career-high 201 strikeouts and 63 walks in 173 2/3 innings over 31 regular-season outings (30 starts). King excelled after basically swapping his sweeper for a harder slider and finished as the No. 16 fantasy starting pitcher. It will be interesting to see how his body handles another full workload in 2025, but you should treat him as a strong No. 2 starter.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
March 6, 2025
San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher
Michael King tossed two shutout frames during his spring debut on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies. However, King struggled with his command as he served up two walks over this start. He did tally three strikeouts. Even though King enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, King sometimes struggled with his command. Last season, he held a high 8.7 percent walk rate which placed him in the 39th percentile. However, he generated hard-contact at an elite 30.3 percent rate and tallied strikeouts at a 27.7 percent rate which helped offset his high walk rate. Through a career-high 173 2/3 innings, the 29-year-old posted a 2.95 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He was dominant in the second half of the season as he held a 2.15 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP in 62 innings. He is expected to open the season as the No. 2 starter in the rotation behind
Dylan Cease.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
January 31, 2025
The San Diego Padres avoided salary arbitration with right-hander
Michael King on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal that includes a $15 million mutual option for the 2026 season. King will also receive a $3 million signing bonus and a $1 million salary for 2025. He's guaranteed $7.75 million, and with incentives, he could make as much as $8 million this year. The 30-year-old became a key piece of San Diego's starting rotation last year after being involved in the
Juan Soto trade in December of 2023. In a career-high 30 starts in 2024, King ranked fifth in the National League with a 2.95 ERA. His 201 strikeouts were second on the team, and his 173 2/3 innings ranked 14th in the NL. King's name has been involved in trade talks this winter, but the structure of his new deal makes him much less likely to be traded than fellow starter
Dylan Cease.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
RADIO
