Top 25 San Diego Padres Player Assets of 2026: 6-10

In our continuing series of ranking San Diego Padres player assets, it's time to take a look at Nos. 6 through 10.

This list ranks the 25 Padres players and prospects with this in mind: Who are the most valuable in the organization's pursuit of building a champion? To do so, we considered age, upside, and contract.

Each player's age and controlled-through years are based on his Baseball Reference age for the 2026 season and when B-R says he can become a free agent.

For what we wrote in this series previously, check out Nos. 11-15, 16-20, and 21-25.

10. Randy Vasquez, RHP

2026 season age: 27

Controlled through: 2030

After an up-and-down first season in the Padres' organization, literally and figuratively, Vasquez became a dependable part of the starting rotation in 2025. One of the five players acquired from the New York Yankees in the Juan Soto trade two offseasons ago, Vazquez was constantly on the Triple-A El Paso shuttle in 2024, with multiple promotions and demotions. While not ideal, that could help account for his 4.74 FIP and 84 ERA+. But he did get 20 starts for a team that went to the postseason.

Luckily, 2025 was much different. Vasquez started 26 of the 28 games he appeared in, putting up a 4.85 FIP and 111 ERA+ that belied his 3.84 ERA. His walk percentage was a little high at 9.1% and his strikeout rate was low at 13.7%. So, there is still work to be done there. There was one demotion, following the Padres' acquisition of left-hander Nestor Cortes from the Milwaukee Brewers at the trade deadline — and after a start in which he allowed five runs in four innings — but Vasquez was back up about a week later.

Vasquez uses seven pitches, but none a majority of the time. His 90.2 mph cutter was he most-used pitch at 24.8%, with his 93.4 mph four-seamer next at 20.9%. He also has a sinker (19.2%), sweeper (13.6%) and curve (12.9%) in addition to a rarely-used changeup (6.9%) and slider (1.8%). Perhaps refining that repertoire could help in his effectiveness. Vasquez is entering his last pre-arb season.

9. Jeremiah Estrada, RHP

2026 season age: 27

Controlled through: 2029

Teams always hope to find a little success in waiver claims. The Padres have certainly cashed in with Estrada. An offseason waiver pickup from the Chicago Cubs two years ago, Estrada has flourished since joining the Padres' bullpen. After spending the first month of the 2024 season at Triple-A El Paso, Estrada has been a reliable reliever, posting a 2.07 FIP and 140 ERA+ in 2024 in 62 games (61 innings), then a 3.55 FIP and 124 ERA+ in 77 games (73 innings) in 2025.

Estrada brings the heat, averaging 97.9 mph on his four-seamer in 2025, a pitch he used 56.8% of the time en route to a 35.5% strikeout rate against an 8.9% walk rate. He also has an 83.7 mph splitter that he used 23.2% and an 88.5 mph slider 20%. Due to his salary status, entering his final pre-arb year with a total of four years of control, Estrada has drawn trade interest. Estrada could also be in line for more saves should the Padres deal Mason Miller, with more late-inning appearances at the worst. Estrada notched three saves in 2025, and he tied for fifth in MLB with 30 holds.

8. Adrian Morejon, LHP

2026 season age: 27

Controlled through: 2026

Speaking of key bullpen arms, Morejon is coming off his best season. The left-hander vultured 13 wins while recording a 2.28 FIP and 206 ERA+ in 75 games covering 73⅔ innings. He was flat-out dominant, holding opposing hitters to a remarkable slash line of .186/.235/.236, walking 5.9% of batters and striking out 24.5%. Morejon keeps his infielders busy with a 51.3% grounder rate.

Morejon does that with a terrific sinker-slider combo. He has a 97.7 mph sinker that he used 61.7% of the time in 2025, with his slider at 87.5 mph and 24.6%. On occasion, he will toss a changeup (6.6%), cutter (3.5%) or four-seamer (3.1%) into the mix. As the primary set-up man, the 2025 All-Star would be first in line for saves should Miller be moved. Otherwise, he provides a terrific back-end of the bullpen option to set up Miller. While the Padres tinkered with the thought of making him a starter this offseason, it would have been foolish to weaken the bullpen with trades still in play — even for Morejon, who is projected to earn just $3.6 million in his final trip through arbitration.

7. Joe Musgrove, RHP

2026 season age: 33

Controlled through: 2027

If not for a couple of major injuries over the last few years, Musgrove would probably be up a few notches on this list, perhaps in contention for the No. 1 spot. But the injuries did happen and they cost Musgrove serious time. The latest malady has been Tommy John surgery, which happened following the team's 2024 postseason elimination. That came after Musgrove's 2023 season in ended in July due to inflammation in his right shoulder capsule. He began 2024 in the rotation, but bone spurs in his right elbow led to a 5.36 FIP in 10 starts and a spot on the 60-day injured list.

The good news is Musgrove appears to be on pace to be ready for spring training, although he will be in the initial stages of getting his arm back in shape, so the possibility exists of beginning 2026 on the injured list or a rehab assignment. His return will be a boon for the rotation, which already received an unexpected return with right-hander Michael King re-signing for three years and $75 million, If the rotation sticks as currently constructed, Musgrove will slot in after Nick Pivetta and King, giving the Padres a very good top three.

Musgrove will always have a place in Padres history as the El Cajon native threw the first no-hitter in team history in 2021. While the competitor in Java Joe will want to return to the rotation ASAP, the business side of Musgrove might take a bit more of a cautious route. He will want to make sure nothing endangers his 2026 or 2027 seasons, which are the last years of Musgrove's current contract.

6. Manny Machado, 3B

2026 season age: 33

Controlled through: 2033

As he prepares to enter his eighth season in San Diego, there is no question that Machado remains the rock of the Padres' offense. That was proven with his third-best bWAR season of his Padres tenure with a 4.1 mark. That came through a .275/.335/.460 slash line with 27 homers and 95 RBIs. He still stings the ball, with an average exit velocity of 92.9 mph, which is in the 94th percentile of MLB hitters. Machado also continues to be one of the better third basemen defensively.

The question for Machado, who is under contract through the 2033 season, is how long that continues. He is entering his age-33 season, so any signs of any downfall may start cropping up sooner rather than later. And yet, he earned down-ballot NL MVP votes each of the last two seasons. He provides all-around contributions while holding down the No. 3 spot in the lineup. There is no question the Padres need more power in their lineup, but that isn't necessarily coming from Machado, who is averaging 30 homers in full seasons in San Diego. His production could even go up slightly with more support in the lineup after him.

Putting up typical numbers will be one of the key factors for the Padres to remain a contender. The Padres lost Luis Arraez to free agency, but someone such as left fielder Ramon Laureano, acquired at the trade deadline, could turn out to be a better overall contributor. How infielder Sung Mun Song, a free agent from South Korea, fits in will be interesting to watch. Machado is also a couple years from either being a full-time designated hitter or crossing the diamond for some time at first base, and he should remain entrenched at the hot corner in 2026.