Chris Paddack

Amateur career

Paddack attended Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas.^[1] He committed to play college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies.^[2]

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins selected Paddack in the eighth round (236th overall) of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft and signed.^[3] He made his professional debut that year with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins where he went 4–3 with a 2.18 ERA in 11 games (seven starts). Paddack started 2016 with the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers.^[4]

San Diego Padres

On June 30, 2016, the Marlins traded Paddack to the San Diego Padres for Fernando Rodney.^[5] He was then assigned to the Fort Wayne TinCaps. On July 30, Paddack was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He underwent Tommy John surgery on August 15 and missed the rest of the 2016 season.^[6] In nine starts between Greensboro and Fort Wayne, he posted a 2–0 record and 0.85 ERA along with 71 strikeouts.^[7] The surgery forced Paddack to also miss all of 2017.

Paddack returned to the mound in 2018 with the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm. With the Storm, he pitched to a 2.24 ERA in 52 innings before being promoted to the Double-A San Antonio Missions. He was even better for the Missions, pitching to a 1.91 ERA in 38 innings before reaching his innings limit and being shut down for the remainder of the season.^[8] The Padres added him to their 40-man roster after the season.^[9]

Paddack was invited to spring training by the Padres in 2019 and dominated, pitching to a 3–1 record and a 1.76 ERA in 5 games, earning him a spot on the team's opening day rotation.^[10] On March 31, he made his major league debut with a start versus the San Francisco Giants. He allowed one run over five innings and recorded seven strikeouts. On June 12, Paddack was optioned to Lake Elsinore as a way to lessen his amount of innings pitched.^[11] He was recalled on June 22.^[12] During the season, he earned the nickname "Paddack Attack" for his first-pitch strike-heavy approach and relentless assault on opposing hitters with his fastball and changeup combination.^[13][14] Paddack finished with a record of 9-7 and a 3.33 ERA in 26 starts. He struck out 153 in 140+2⁄3 innings. Paddack was named the Opening Day starter for the Padres in 2020. He finished 4–5 with a 4.73 ERA. Throughout the season, Paddack struggled with command as he allowed 14 home runs in just 59 innings.

Minnesota Twins

On April 7, 2022, the Padres traded Paddack, Emilio Pagán, and a player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Taylor Rogers, Brent Rooker, and cash considerations.^[15] On May 10, Paddack was put on the 10-day injured list due to a right elbow strain. He underwent his second Tommy John surgery on May 18, ending his season.^[16]

On January 13, 2023, Paddack agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Twins, avoiding salary arbitration.^[17] Later that day, Paddack agreed to a three-year, $12.5 million contract extension with the Twins that bought out his two remaining arbitration-eligible years and what would have been his first year of free agency.^[18] On September 24, Paddack was activated from the injured list to make his return from Tommy John surgery.^[19] Paddack began the season in the Twins rotation to begin the 2024 season but suffered through another injury shortened season, appearing in only 17 games before a complete shutdown due to a forearm strain in August. Paddack was 5–3 with a 4.99 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 88+1⁄3 innings pitched.^[20]

Detroit Tigers

On July 28, 2025, the Twins traded Paddack and Randy Dobnak to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Enrique Jiménez.^[21][22] On September 2, Paddack was moved to the bullpen after posting a 5.40 ERA over six starts.^[23] On September 9, Paddack earned his first-ever MLB save, throwing the final three innings (all scoreless) of the Tigers victory over the New York Yankees.^[24] He made 12 total appearances (seven of them starts) for Detroit, compiling a 2-3 record and 6.32 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 47 innings of work.

Miami Marlins (second stint)

On February 12, 2026, Paddack signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Miami Marlins.^[25] He made seven appearances (including six starts) for Miami, but struggled to an 0-5 record and 7.63 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 30+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 5, Paddack was designated for assignment by the Marlins.^[26] He was released by Miami on May 10.^[27]

Cincinnati Reds

On May 13, 2026, Paddack signed a one-year, major league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.^[28] He made six appearances (including three starts) for Cincinnati, posting an 0–2 record and 6.04 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 22+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 22, Paddack was designated for assignment by the Reds.^[29] He elected free agency two days later after clearing waivers.^[30]

Texas Rangers

On June 29, 2026, Paddack signed a major league contract with the Texas Rangers.^[31] He allowed two runs across four innings of relief in a 6–3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Paddack was designated for assignment by the Rangers the following day.^[32] On July 2, he elected free agency.^[33]

Samsung Lions

On July 11, 2026, Paddack signed a $473,333 contract with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League for the remainder of the 2026 season.^[34]