Padres Minor-League Recap: June 10

[Brock Beauchamp]

El Paso Rallies Late to Extend Win Streak to Four

El Paso used a balanced offensive attack and strong bullpen work to overcome an early deficit and beat Round Rock 9–4, stretching their win streak to four. The Chihuahuas tallied 14 hits, with Nate Mondou (2-for-4, 3B, 2B, BB, 2 RBI) continuing a red-hot stretch. Mondou’s barrel control and defensive versatility have made him a valuable asset at Triple-A despite not cracking the Padres’ Top 20 rankings.

Yonathan Perlaza added three hits, including his sixth stolen base, and scored twice. He’s now 10-for-25 over his last six games, showcasing the blend of contact and speed that’s kept him in El Paso’s everyday lineup.

Trenton Brooks, who’s slugging .600 over his last 10 games, chipped in with two hits and an RBI. The trio keyed a three-run sixth inning and another two-run burst in the eighth, where Mason McCoy drove in a pair on a sharp single.

On the mound, Matt Waldron rebounded from a rocky first to throw five solid innings. José Espada (Padres Mission #20), recently promoted, worked a clean ninth to seal the win. Espada flashed his swing-and-miss arsenal with two quick outs and a soft grounder to end it, reinforcing his upside as a future bullpen contributor in San Diego.

Missions’ Early Lead Slips Away in 3–1 Loss to Amarillo

Despite jumping out to a 1–0 lead in the fifth inning, the San Antonio Missions fell to Amarillo 3–1 after a decisive eighth-inning rally from the Sod Poodles. The Missions’ offense struggled to capitalize on early baserunners, stranding 10 over the first seven frames.

Shortstop Francisco Acuña, a spark plug at the top of the order, reached base four times (3-for-4, BB, SB) and has now hit safely in six of his last seven games. Devin Ortiz doubled and walked twice, continuing to show growth as a contact-first bat in the upper minors.

Brandon Valenzuela, ranked #17 on Padres Mission’s list, delivered the team’s lone RBI on a fifth-inning groundout. While Valenzuela has cooled since his early-season surge, his plate discipline remains a core strength of his offensive profile.

On the mound, Jagger Haynes—Padres Mission’s #20 prospect—worked five scoreless innings, scattering three hits and two walks. The 22-year-old lefty showed improved fastball command and continued to miss barrels, a promising development as he builds workload consistency.

The bullpen faltered in the eighth, when a two-run single from Christian Cerda flipped the game. With the loss, San Antonio drops to 2–4 in its last six despite encouraging individual trends from Haynes and Acuña.

TinCaps’ Bullpen Falters Late in 11–9 Loss to South Bend

In one of their most volatile games of the season, the Fort Wayne TinCaps fell 11–9 to South Bend after surrendering five runs over the final four innings. The TinCaps showed life early, sparked by a three-run third inning that featured a two-run homer by Leo De Vries, the Padres’ No. 1 prospect per both Padres Mission and MLB.com. De Vries added a walk and a single, continuing his surge—now slashing .314/.397/.542 in his last 10 games.

Second baseman Brandon Butterworth posted two doubles and was on base three times, while first baseman Jack Costello contributed three hits and a solo homer—his fifth of the season. The middle of the lineup provided key support for De Vries, but strikeouts in late-game opportunities proved costly.

On the mound, the bullpen struggled to hold multiple leads. After entering with a 6–5 advantage, Fort Wayne’s relievers surrendered a three-run double to Ariel Armas, and in the ninth, Carter Trice’s go-ahead homer off Eiker Huizi broke the game open. Felix Stevens added a solo shot minutes later.

Despite the loss, the TinCaps’ offense—fueled by top prospect talent—continues to trend upward. However, bullpen inconsistencies remain a glaring issue for a team now hovering at .500 on the season.

Storm Fall 8–4 to Visalia in Sloppy, Uneven Effort

The Lake Elsinore Storm dropped their third game in the past four contests, falling 8–4 to Visalia in a game marred by early pitching struggles and missed opportunities. Starter Will Varmette allowed six runs in just 1.2 innings, unable to contain Visalia’s barrage of extra-base hits, including a three-run double by Ruben Santana in the second.

Despite the early hole, the Storm offense showed life. Kaden Hollow led the charge, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs driven in. The 21-year-old outfielder has quietly built a solid June, now slashing .318/.375/.568 over his last eight games. B.Y. Choi chipped in with a run-scoring single in the eighth, part of a 2-for-4 night.

Top catching prospect Lamar King Jr. (Padres Mission #8) reached base twice, continuing to showcase his selective approach, though he finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Meanwhile, Victor Figueroa’s defensive miscue in the eighth prolonged a critical Visalia rally.

On the mound, the bullpen fared better after Varmette’s exit, highlighted by Xavier Ruiz’s solid 1.2 innings before fatigue caught up in the ninth. With the loss, Lake Elsinore falls to 25–31, and while offensive pieces are emerging, the rotation remains a glaring weakness for a team still shaping its identity in the California League.