Kirby Yates was the definition of a diamond in the rough when he was claimed off waivers in April 2017 by the Padres, who became the fifth organization to employ the beleaguered right-hander in a span of 17 months.
He, of course, found a permanent home in San Diego’s bullpen upon refining his split-fingered fastball, lowering his ERA from 3.72 that first season with the Padres to 2.14 in 2018 to 1.19 while leading the majors in saves last year.
His salary, naturally, has increased from just over $500,000 in 2016 to a little more than $1 million in 2018 to just over $3 million last year.