Dylan Cease’s Clean-Shaven Look Divides Padres Fans and Teammates

San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease stunned fans and teammates by debuting a clean-shaven look during spring training at the Peoria Sports Complex on April 11, 2025. The 29-year-old ace, known for his signature beard and mustache, sparked a wave of reactions across social media and the clubhouse.

Fan Reactions: From Shock to Approval The transformation quickly went viral, with fans split on the new look. Some pleaded, "Grow it back," while others approved, calling it "a lot better." A few even joked that Cease now resembled "a maniac" on the mound. The debate highlighted how deeply fans associated Cease’s bearded appearance with his intimidating pitching persona.

Teammates Weigh In The clubhouse was equally divided. Outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado preferred the bearded look, with Tatis stating, "It gives him character." Rookie Jackson Merrill, however, bluntly disagreed, posting a cryptic "Watch out..." on Instagram, hinting at Cease’s potential dominance sans facial hair. Utility player Tyler Wade quipped, "For the love of God, shave it," while others like Brett Sullivan suggested a trim.

Cease’s Playful Response Amid the buzz, Cease remained lighthearted, telling reporters, "I’m gonna do the opposite of whatever everyone says," implying he might keep the look just to defy expectations. His recent on-field performance—a dominant 10-strikeout, one-hit outing against the Cleveland Guardians—suggested the change hadn’t affected his pitching.

A Superstition or Fresh Start? The move comes amid Cease’s rocky 2025 start (7.98 ERA in three games), fueling speculation that the shave was a superstition-driven reset. Whether the new look marks a turning point or merely a style experiment, it’s clear Cease has the baseball world talking—both about his face and his fastball.