Randy Vasquez was acquired by the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees last offseason. He came with big expectations, as Vasquez flashed an explosive four-seam fastball that was the centerpiece of an impressive pitching repertoire. It includes a devastating curveball and hard sinker that opened some eyes in his first spring training with the Friars.
The Padres brass had to re-evaluate their expectations for the right-hander. Instead of spending a full season in El Paso, they projected him to make a contribution as a back end member of the starting rotation.