Lake Bachar
Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 219 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 06/03/1995
College: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Drafted: 5th Round, 144th overall, 2016 (Padres)
How Acquired: Trade (with Marlins)
Bonus: $350,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 2
Overview
Bachar went to Wisconsin-Whitewater to play football as a kicker and punter, but it turned out he had a very good arm and the Padres drafted him in the fifth round in 2016. He made his way through the minors slowly, with a two-year interruption due to the pandemic season and Tommy John surgery. Mostly a starter before that, since then Bachar has been primarily a reliever. He ultimately reached the majors with the Marlins after a waiver claim. Bachar’s fastball sits between 94-95 mph, but he only throws it about 30% of the time. His strength is a high-spin slider, the value of which StatCast puts in the 95th percentile. He also throws a sinker and splitter, and he added a curve in 2026 that’s been a very good pitch. He’s somewhat of a flyball pitcher and has had trouble with gopher balls. Generally, he’s had good control and K rates. In the majors, he’s had no meaningful platoon split. The Pirates acquired Bachar at the 2026 deadline for three prospects.
2016-21
Bachar moved around between rookie ball and the class A levels in each of his first two years. Overall, he had a 3.19 ERA in 2016 and 3.38 in 2017, and pitched both as a starter and reliever. He opened 2018 in high A and had a 1.19 ERA, but in 20 games, 14 starts, in AA his ERA was 5.59. Gopher balls were a problem, as he allowed 1.6 every nine innings, and he fanned only 6.4.
Bachar stayed in AA for most of 2019, starting 19 of his 24 games. He threw a lot of innings, 126.2, and had a 3.98 ERA. His control was just decent at 4.1 per nine innings. He struck out one batter an inning.
Bachar didn’t pitch during the pandemic season, then went on the injured list before pitching in 2021. He had Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch again until mid-May in 2022.
2022-24
Bachar got into 27 games in AA in 2022, seven as a starter. In 45.1 IP he allowed ten home runs. He had an ERA of 6.15 and WHIP of 1.46. The Padres sent him back to AA in 2023 and he spent the entire season there, appearing in 42 games, all in relief. He was much more effective, posting a 2.69 ERA, cutting the longballs to four and increasing his K/9 to 10.3. He became a free agent after the season, but re-signed with the Padres on a minor league deal.
San Diego sent Bachar to AAA in 2024 and he was less effective, with a 3.89 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. His K/9 was still good at 10.7 and he walked four per nine innings. The Padres added Bachar to their 40-man roster at the beginning of August, possibly due to a contract clause, but put him on waivers a month later. Miami claimed him and he got into ten games with them, posting a 3.86 ERA.
2025-26
Bachar spent nearly all of 2025, and all of the first four months of 2026, with the Marlins. Except for a few opener roles, he pitched in relief. His numbers were solid: a 3.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 2025; 3.84, 1.09, 3.2 and 9.4 through the deadline in 2026. Gopher balls were a moderate problem both years; altogether he allowed 19 in 129.2 IP. His xFIP was a little bit higher than his ERA both years, 4.22 in 2025 and 4.19 in 2026. He was helped both years by somewhat low BABIPs of .253 and .231. The Pirates acquired Bachar at the 2026 deadline for Brandan Bidois, Brian Sanchez and Hyun Seung Lee.
Stats
Transactions
June 10, 2016: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 5th round, 144th overall pick; signed on June 14.
November 6, 2023: Became a free agent.
January 26, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the San Diego Padres.
August 2, 2024: Contract purchased by the San Diego Padres.
September 3, 2024: Claimed off waivers from the San Diego Padres by the Miami Marlins.
August 3, 2026: Traded by the Miami Marlins to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Brandan Bidois, Brian Sanchez and Hyun Seung Lee.