2026 San Diego Padres MLB Draft Day 1 Thread

[Steve Drumwright]

The weekend has arrived where the San Diego Padres will begin to add new faces to the organization through the amateur draft. In the last two years, the Padres added high school left-handers Kash Mayfield (2024) and Kruz Schoolcraft (2025). They currently rank as the No. 2 and No. 5 prospects on Padres Mission's Top 20 list.

The Friars have drafted a high school player with each of their last nine first-round picks under A.J. Preller, the Padres' president of baseball operations and general manager.

The draft begins with the first four rounds Saturday, then finishing Sunday with Rounds 5 through 20. TV coverage begins at 10 a.m. PT on NBC and Peacock, with it switching to MLB.com, MLB Network, MLB.tv and MLB+ at 11:30 a.m. Sunday’s telecast begins at 8:30 a.m. PT on MLB.com, MLB.tv and MLB+.

This year, the Padres have the 21st selection of the first round. That will be one of five picks the Friars make on the first day. In addition to one pick in each round, they also have a compensation selection for making a qualifying offer to right-hander Dylan Cease, who ended up signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. Because of the size of the contract (seven years, $210 million) and with the Padres being a competitive-balance tax payor, they received an extra fourth-round pick (No. 134).

That also gives the Padres extra money to work with in their draft pool. The Padres’ pool this year is $9,479,000. While there are slot values assigned to each pick in the first 10 rounds, teams can sign players for any amount as long as it fits into their pool. Deals are often made with certain players in order to redistribute money to another player. Teams can spend up to 5% more than their draft pool without incurring a penalty. No team has ever spent more than 5% in the 14 years this rule has been in place. Last year, 20 of 30 teams surpassed their bonus pool.

Here are the slot values for each of the Padres’ picks:

• First round (21st pick): $4,224,700
• Second round (60th): $1,561,000
• Third round (97th): $808,100
• Fourth round (124th): $620,300
• Fourth round (comp, 134th): $563,900
• Fifth round (157th): $449,500
• Sixth round (186th): $350,100
• Seventh round (215th): $276,400
• Eighth round (245th): $226,300
• Ninth round (275th): $205,000
• 10th round (305th): $193,700

Players drafted in the 11th through 20th rounds do not technically have a slot value, although they are soft-capped at $150,000 without counting toward the bonus pool. Any amount above $150,000 will go against the cap. That amount also applies to undrafted free agents. Draft picks have until July 27 at 2 p.m. PT to sign.

Who should the Padres take with their top pick? Do they stick with a high school player or change it up with a college star?

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[Brock Beauchamp]

When was the last time the Padres had all five picks in the first five rounds? Sure, they don't have any comp picks, but also not missing picks in rounds two, three, or four is helpful given the current state of the team and farm system.

[Steve Drumwright]

This could be the year that A.J. Preller takes a college guy with the Padres' top pick. Last time that happened was with his first first-round pick and Preller took Stanford righty Cal Quantrill. There could be some prep players that the Padres like -- third baseman Bo Lowrance is a popular name -- so we shall see.

[Steve Drumwright]

The draft starts with a chalk pick: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky goes No. 1 overall to the Chicago White Sox. Has been the pick since last year's draft.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Well, the top three went as expected, though the order was mildly surprising.

[Steve Drumwright]

A few surprises in the top 10, but nothing too unusual. Biggest one was LSU outfielder Derek Curiel going to the Pirates at No. 5 in what is likely an underslot deal for to redistribute money to their next pick or two. Only one pitcher has gone this far, which might be more surprising.

[Steve Drumwright]

Gio Rojas just went at No. 16 to the Rangers. He had been a potential Padres pick as some thought the top high school left-hander in the draft could fall. He didn't. Logan Schmidt, a SoCal left-hander, is next in line among prep lefties, which is what the Padres have picked the last two seasons.

[Brock Beauchamp]

27 minutes ago, Steve Drumwright said:

A few surprises in the top 10, but nothing too unusual. Biggest one was LSU outfielder Derek Curiel going to the Pirates at No. 5 in what is likely an underslot deal for to redistribute money to their next pick or two. Only one pitcher has gone this far, which might be more surprising.

The Royals reached, I wonder if it's because they really believe in Rose, or whether they can get him cheaply and clear space for later rounds, or... both.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Padres go with Borthwick, who was listed at 43 on both MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs.

[Steve Drumwright]

Coleman Borthwick is the pick. Big right-hander out of a Florida high school. Good velocity on fastball and slider. While committed to Auburn, being taken 21st, which is above where most had him going, would seem to make him an easy sign and move money to other Day 1 picks.

[Steve Drumwright]

We are now in the second round and about 10 picks before the Padres pick. This is the space in the MLB Draft where front offices make or break their draft. Overslot deals are often made to lure players to pro ball instead of their college commitments.

[Steve Drumwright]

Padres go with Canadian shortstop Elliot Lascelles with the 60th pick, their second-round choice. Good hit profile. Not sure if he will stick at shortstop with some questions about his arm, although the Padres will give him every chance there. Also runs track and brings good speed. Not a ton of power, but as an 18-year-old, that could come. Another underslot draft pick, so there would seem to be a riskier selection coming up. Is committed to Yale.

[Steve Drumwright]

The last pick of the day for the Padres comes courtesy of the compensation pick for Dylan Cease signing with the Blue Jays. The Friars took Oklahoma State outfielder Alex Conover, another left-handed hitter who has some pop.

Solid first day for the Padres. Coleman Borthwick easily the flashiest of the Padres' pick. He could be a workhorse at the front of the rotation.