The Padres have signed right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. to a minor league deal, marking a return to the team that once saw potential in him. Honeywell, now 31, has had a tumultuous journey through the MLB, plagued by a series of injuries that have hindered his progress. Despite his struggles, the Padres are giving him another chance, recognizing his potential as a depth option for the bullpen.
Honeywell's story is one of resilience and perseverance. Once a Top 100 prospect in the Rays' system, he faced a series of setbacks, including Tommy John surgery, an elbow fracture, and nerve decompression surgery. These injuries not only delayed his big league debut but also impacted his performance when he finally made it to the majors. In 2021, he pitched just 4 2/3 innings, and the following year, a stress reaction in his throwing elbow forced him to miss the entire season.
His time with the Padres in 2023 was a mixed bag. He posted a 4.05 ERA in 46 2/3 innings, with serviceable strikeout and walk numbers, but also allowed 1.54 home runs per nine innings. His performance that year suggested he was getting lucky, as his 5.13 expected ERA and 4.33 SIERA indicated. A brief stint with the White Sox in the late season was even worse, with Honeywell giving up seven earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
However, the 2024 season was a turning point for Honeywell. He put up a 2.63 ERA in 37 2/3 innings, allowing just three home runs all season (0.72 HR/9) and cutting his walk rate to 7.4%. Working off a mid-90s four-seamer and his signature low-80s screwball, he continued to generate ground balls at an above-average 42.2% clip. Despite his impressive ERA, his 12.1% strikeout rate was troublingly low, and his xERA and SIERA suggested his true performance was about two and a half runs higher than his ERA.
The postseason, however, exposed Honeywell's vulnerabilities. He gave up nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings, including five earned runs in an inning of mop-up duty in Game 4 of the World Series. The Dodgers non-tendered him during the offseason, and Honeywell did not appear in affiliated ball in 2025.
The Padres' decision to sign Honeywell is a strategic move. Even after his injuries, he showed no loss of velocity in the 2024 campaign, remaining a hard thrower with an intriguing breaking pitch in the screwball. His ability to induce ground balls in his limited big league action gives him a decent floor, even if his strikeouts don't fully recover. However, his low strikeout rate and the team's strong bullpen performance may limit his opportunities for a big league call-up.
In my opinion, Honeywell's return to the Padres is a testament to his resilience and the team's faith in his potential. While his injuries have been a significant hurdle, his ability to generate ground balls and maintain velocity is encouraging. The question remains whether his performance will translate into consistent success, but the Padres are taking a calculated risk that could pay off in the stretch run.
