https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/07/nick-pivetta-brings-next-level-competitiveness-intensity-to-padres/

Nick Pivetta is aware.

“Yeah, I am competitive,” he said. “I know it gets a little nauseating sometimes. But it’s just how I run my life, and it’s what I like to be. And I hold myself to that standard of, you know, no matter what, I want that chance to help our team and be in those moments that are the most competitive. I want to be on the mound and helping us win.

“In my mind, what we’re doing every game is life or death. And it’s a very important time of the year. And I take it very seriously. I take what I do very seriously, and I care a lot about it. I care about the success of the organization, success of my teammates, the ones around me, and I want to lead by example on that.”

There is just so much about Pivetta and why he is having his best season in his first season in San Diego

He is under the tutelage of Ruben Niebla, who, among other things, moved Pivetta to the first base side of the rubber to change the angle at which he moves toward the plate. Pivetta has incorporated different pitches in different counts. He has studied opponents and the nuances of pitching more than he did before. He has embraced the counsel of other veteran pitchers.

“Ruben has obviously helped me a lot. The veterans have helped me a lot, getting in the team chemistry. I don’t think it’s just one thing. I think it’s just like building blocks, just slowly kind of moving in the right direction

Through 22 starts, Pivetta ranks seventh in the National League in ERA (2.73), second in batting average allowed (.191), third in WHIP (0.94) and seventh in quality starts (14).

24 comments

  5. I will run through a brick wall for this man

    Is there any way to essentially “buy-out” his player option and extend him for longer? I get that we could try and find a couple new SPs in FA but I see no reason why we shouldn’t try and keep a good thing going, if we can

  12. I just love how we are somewhat taking advantage of a market inefficiency kind of. Ruben and staff have been identifying these veteran pitchers they see something in that they can change to just make them so much more effective.

  13. This pic right here. Absolutely beautiful baseball shot. Cinema. Oh and the Pivetta quote is great too lol

  14. there are some guys with better talent…but lack that edge Pivetta has

    give me guys like Pivetta and that competitiveness

  16. Pivetta has been amazing. If Paul Skenes wasn’t super human then Pivetta would have had a chance at the Cy Young.

  22. Still baffles me why the reaction on here to his signing seemed pretty underwhelming.

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