When the Padres posted a transaction graphic on December 8, the reaction was not the usual excitement. Instead of “Let’s go,” much of the fanbase responded with a puzzled “…who?”
San Diego announced it had signed right hander to a one year deal through 2026, effectively giving a 27 year old career minor leaguer a spot on the 40 man roster at a time when roster flexibility feels scarce. After eight seasons in the minors without throwing a single Major League pitch, Acosta suddenly received the full social media spotlight, while fans continued calling for proven big league additions. For a team dealing with payroll constraints and thinning patience, it was a hard sell at first glance.
Padres sign Daison Acosta and bet on years of minor league work paying off
Still, a closer look at Acosta’s 2025 season makes the initial skepticism ease up a bit. Pitching across three levels in the Nationals system, he put together an impressive year. Acosta finished 5 and 1 with a career best 2.42 ERA, allowing 14 earned runs in 52 innings. He struck out 72 hitters, walked 27, and limited opponents to a .195 average over 46 appearances split between Triple A Rochester, Double A Harrisburg, and Single A Fredericksburg. Among qualified relievers in Washington’s system, he led the group in strikeouts per nine innings at 12.46 and ranked near the top in total strikeouts and ERA.
Things only got better as the season went on. From May through the end of the year, Acosta delivered scoreless outings in 30 of his final 36 appearances. Over that stretch, he posted a 1.09 ERA in 41.1 innings, held hitters to a .163 average, recorded a 0.97 WHIP, and struck out batters at a 13.50 per nine clip. Right handed hitters, in particular, had little success against him, managing a .154 average with only five extra base hits, all doubles.
Originally signed by the Mets as a non drafted free agent in 2016 and later selected by the Nationals in the minor league phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, Acosta has spent nearly a decade grinding through the minors. Across 188 career games, including 40 starts, he owns a 22 and 25 record with 20 saves, a 3.59 ERA, and a .216 opponents average.
In the end, the Padres invested in a low cost lottery ticket. Acosta comes with real strikeout upside but no Major League guarantees. The move will not change expectations overnight or quiet calls for bigger additions, but if San Diego is shopping on the bargain rack this winter, it needs a few of these bets to pay off.
And if Acosta ends up locking down meaningful innings at Petco Park, no one will mind having wondered who he was back in December.