Brock Beauchamp

Randy Holt and Steve Drumwright recap the start of the Padres' road trip against the Orioles and Cardinals and then go in-depth on the struggles by the starting rotation, including the lack of going deeper into games. They check in on the minor leagues and possible promotions, take a look at the upcoming series vs. the Rangers and Atlanta, and wrap up with one thing they are thinking about. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/padres-mission-podcast/id1896922834 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xclmydmbLmEp0exYuYz Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-padres-mission-podcast-336930560 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@padresmission

Unlike other publications, Padres Mission enables all users to contribute to our top prospect rankings. Anyone with a DiamondCentric account can participate and give their input on who they think should be in the Padres' top prospects list. Before you vote, you can hit our top prospects page for the latest stats and news on Padres prospects, while on the voting page, every name is a clickable link that brings up their current stat card. Voting is simple, just follow the instructions below! Here's the rundown on how to participate: 1. You must have an account and be logged in to vote. If you don't have an account, click here. It requires only 60 seconds to create an account. 2. Review our current top 20 prospect list, catch up on stats, rankings, etc. (you can do so from the voting page link below) 3. Have your prospect list in your filthy little paws? Then flip on over to the new prospect voting page (after reading the rest of this, please). https://padresmission.com/prospect-voting 4. Voting is super simple; you drag and drop players in the order you wish them to be. After you move a prospect, the list automatically renumbers so you don't lose track of the order. This works on mobile devices, but it's a *vastly* better experience on desktop. Sorry, that's just how this kind of thing works. There's no excellent way to make something like this as awesome on a phone screen. 5. Each prospect has a comment section where you can add any commentary you have on that player. At the bottom of the list, there is a general comment section to explain over-arching things you'd like to mention. 6. Don't see a prospect you want to put on the list? Just pop back here and give me a mention (in a comment, start typing @Brock Beauchamp and select my name after it appears). Please mention the prospect you would like added, and I will do so as soon as possible. 7. Once you're done with all of it, click Save. You've now voted! 8. When the voting closes, a new thread will automatically generate in the minor league forum with all of your rankings and comments for everyone to read and talk about. 9. You can only vote once. If you have voted in error, pop back here and tag Brock to ask to have your vote deleted. It will be removed, and you can vote again. Voting closes Friday, June 19..

Steve Drumwright and Randy Holt discuss the week that was in Padres baseball. They break down another week of mixed performance from both the offense & the starting pitching and search for optimism around some of the team's key hitters, including Fernando Tatis Jr. From there, they dive into the farm system for a glimpse at some key performers at the minor league level before offering a final note for the week ahead. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@padresmission

With so little depth and so few long-term names on the payroll on the mound for the Padres, it might seem there’s little to look forward to. Miguel Mendez might offer a shift in that mindset. Mendez was a quick riser in 2025. He began the season in A-ball, and before 2025 ended, he’d crossed into High-A and made a handful of starts at Double-A. The numbers support such a rapid ascent through the system, too. He made just three starts and threw 11 innings with Lake Elsinore. Therein, he allowed five runs on 11 hits but also struck out 18 hitters. That penchant for swings-and-misses earned him a dozen starts at the next level in Fort Wayne. He built on his early success in posting a 1.32 ERA, a 28.6 percent strikeout rate (70 total), and a 9.8 percent walk rate in 61 1/3 innings. That earned him another call-up. He wrapped 2025 with San Antonio, though the results were not quite as good. His ERA sat over eight in 22.1 innings (5.91 FIP) and a homer-to-flyball ratio up near 17 percent. All told, Mendez pitched 95 innings (22 starts), posted a 3.22 ERA, and struck out 29.4 percent of the batters he faced. One imagines that his clunky stint in San Antonio will have him ticketed for Double-A again to start the year, but one also doesn’t have to stretch to see the potential for a cup of coffee down the road if his trajectory stays on course. What To Like Mendez doesn’t make this complicated. His stuff is very good. He brings a quality fastball with plenty of movement that he mixes with a slider and a less-used changeup. Baseball America’s scouting report noted the following: "Mendez attacks hitters out of a slightly lowered three-quarters slot with no shortage of arm speed and features a fastball, slider and a changeup. Mendez’s heater sits in the mid-to-upper-90s with both run and ride through the zone. It jumps out of his hand and plays especially well in the top half of the strike zone, which is also where it generates the vast majority of its swings and misses. Mendez’s tight mid-to-upper-80s slider regularly generates empty swings. It flashes plus with sharp two-plane tilt, though against right-handed hitters it will sometimes have more length than depth. Mendez used his upper-80s-to-low-90s changeup just 8% of the time, but its results were encouraging. It garnered a 37% miss rate while flashing effective tumble and fade." Fastball-slider is a devastating combination on its own, especially with the upside of each pitch. If he can harness the changeup to the point where it becomes a viable third pitch, then you’re talking about him in the big-league mix in fairly short order. The most important thing for Mendez thus far, though, has been the growth. In his first stint in affiliated ball back in 2022, he walked hitters at a rate up near 29 percent and struck them out at only half that clip. That number remained high in Low-A in both 2023 and 2024, with walk rates reading 13.3 and 14.9, respectively. That it came down so significantly across the various levels in 2025 is certainly encouraging. Though after that brief trip to San Antonio, it’s the one area where continued improvement will need to be demonstrated. What To Work On The aforementioned command is, obviously, objective No. 1 for Mendez moving forward. There’s more evidence of him struggling with it than him having it to this point in his professional career. If we’re to assume that this is an aberration wrought by a small sample at a new level, then it’s not overly concerning. Beyond the obvious, Mendez needs to get that changeup into the game at a higher rate. It’s extraordinarily difficult to stick as a starter at the major-league level without a third pitch. That Mendez only threw it eight percent of the time last year – even amid the success he was experiencing – speaks to the lack of comfort he has with that offering. If he’s able to grasp command of the other two pitches more fully, then 2026 will present him with an opportunity to get that pitch to be a factor in the broader arsenal. What’s Next Double-A seems like the most likely starting point for Mendez this year. If the command demonstrated last year returns, though, he could be on his way to El Paso before long once the new year begins. Beyond that, there are a couple of different routes the Padres could take with him. They could give him a full year of seasoning to harness command and develop the change. That could put him in decent position to grab a rotation spot in camp ahead of the 2027 season (assuming such adjustments are fully realized). There will be opportunities for rotation spots in the same way we’re seeing them this year. The other possibility is that we end up seeing Mendez pitching in San Diego before year’s end, albeit as a reliever. A two-pitch pitcher is much more viable in relief. Even with the depth the Padres have in the bullpen, there might be nothing stopping them from wanting to see his upside as a one- or two-inning reliever as he gets adapted to the big-league level. Either way, there’s an intensely bright future here that should be featured as part of the depth chart for the top club in some form or fashion before year’s end.

After four years of college, no one took a chance on the well-built McCoy (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) in the 2024 draft, so the Padres pounced and signed him as an undrafted free agent. His 2021 season at Maryland-Eastern Shore was wiped out by the pandemic, but he showed an ability to hit the ball in 2022 and 2023 before transferring to Hofstra for his senior season, playing for former MLB infielder Frank Catalanotto. He hit .306 with 11 homers, 44 RBIs and 22 steals in 56 games. His hit tool has continued to shine since joining the Padres' organization. Making his debut in 2025 at Low-A Lake Elsinore, McCoy put together a season slash line of .315/.393/.521, hitting seven homers and driving in 40 while stealing 14 bases in 17 attempts over 58 games. His 2025 included a stint on the seven-day injured list as he dealt with hamstring and quad injuries, missing more than two months, and a brief rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League. Moving up to Fort Wayne this year, McCoy has kept chugging along. He has a .293/.359/.560 slash line following Wednesday's game with six homers, 17 RBIs and five steals in 32 games. McCoy hasn't unleashed his power yet, which might be the best in the Padres' system and reportedly reaching a peak exit velocity of 118 mph last year, but that could come as the season progresses. His hitting ability can be attributed to a short and controlled swing that allows him to attack pitches. McCoy had a 21-game on-base streak this season, which included a 15-game hitting streak. He was named the Midwest League Player of the Month for April with a .354/.386/.683 slash line. While McCoy's power ranks a 60 (well above average) on the 20-80 scouting scale, his running, throwing and fielding ability rank just below average. Left field is probably his best positional fit, but a move to first base is also possible. He played the position some in college.

Kruz Schoolcraft's professional career has barely begun -- he made one minor-league appearance made at the end of the 2025 season. He'll turn 19 in April and his development will take time. The good news? There's evidence to suggest that it won't be a lot of time. The Padres selected the 6-8, 229-pound Schoolcraft in the first round (25th overall) of last year's MLB Draft out of Sunset High School in Beaverton, Ore. He was the No. 1-ranked prep left-hander in the draft. He also was a legitimate first-base prospect with big-time power. San Diego lured him away from the University of Tennessee -- he committed to the Vols in December 2024 -- with a $3.6 million signing bonus. Then, they convinced the potential two-way star to become a full-time pitcher. The organization waited until Sept. 6 to get him into a game. His appearance with Lake Elsinore in the Low-A California League was brief and eventful: 1 2/3 innings, one hit, two runs (both earned), three walks, four strikeouts, four stolen bases allowed. Schoolcraft showed that he has a lot of work to do. But he still could rise quickly, for several reasons. First, he already throws three pitches -- a mid- to high-90s fastball with good extension, a changeup with deception, and a slider with depth. Prior to the draft, MLB.com gave both the fastball and slider a 60 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale and the change a 55, but the slider is considered his third pitch at the moment. Second, he is considered to have advanced mechanics, which will help make his delivery repeatable sooner. It also will help him improve his 50-grade control. Of course, his longer levers make it easy for baserunners to pick up on his cadence, so he'll have to fine-tune that in order to prevent everyone faster than Giancarlo Stanton from swiping a base against him. But his mechanics as a whole are quite impressive for a teenager. Third, the organization considers him a smart player and a hard worker. Schoolcraft showed those traits when he spoke with reporters, including MLB.com's Sam Dykstra, at spring training. He said that he wants to reshape his slider better and make it a pitch he can throw effectively both early and late in the count. He talked about getting stronger, and he shared a specific goal for 2026: he hopes to make 22+ starts. Schoolcraft has already made an impression in camp with his sharp outing in an intra-squad game. He might make another before spring training is through. The Padres listed him in the initial 40-man player pool for their Spring Breakout game on Saturday, March 21, against the Cubs' top prospects in Arizona. There's bound to be buzz about the kid moving rapidly through the system if he gets into that game and overpowers hitters. But those people will need to be patient; Schoolcraft is just getting started.

The soon-to-be 23-year-old has been a developmental win for the Padres. Signed in 2022 as an undrafted free agent after one season as a two-way player at Hartford Community College in Maryland, Karpathios has been a solid if unspectacular contributor while in the Padres' system, but continues to climb the ladder. The biggest calling card for Karpathios (5-foot-11, 186 pounds) is his patience at the plate. While topping out at a .252 batting average in 2024 at Low-A Lake Elsinore, he has had walk totals of 44 in 42 games in 2023 at Lake Elsinore, 95 in 119 games in 2024 while playing a full year at Low-A and 73 in 124 games between High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio in 2025. That doesn't mean he doesn't swing and miss. While not chasing a great deal (19% chase rate), Karpathios struck out 145 times in 2024 and 146 times in 2025 as he has trouble against pitches that aren't fastballs. When he does make contact, he at least hits the ball hard. In 2025, Karpathios ranked in the 90th percentile in exit velocity at 105.8 mph, helping him nearly double his home run total from eight in 2024 to 15. He also has shown an ability to hit to all fields. Karpathios put together a .249/.357/.413 slash line last year. Karpathios was invited to the Arizona Fall League in 2025, where he had a .211/.333/.298 slash line with no homers and five RBIs. This year, Karpathios has a slash line of .217/.311/.357 through May 13, with two homers and 12 RBIs. He has 16 walks and 41 strikeouts in 33 games. While not blessed with speed, Karpathios has the ability to play all three outfield spots, but his strong arm—still around from his days as a pitcher—makes him best-suited for right. Karpathios will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason if the Padres don't put him on the 40-man roster.

After one season at Western Kentucky, the San Diego Padres selected center fielder Ryan Wideman in the third round of the 2025 draft. Wideman had spent the two previous years in junior college at Georgia Highlands and then became the Conference USA Player of the Year at Western Kentucky. The 22-year-old son of former Clemson men's basketball player Tom Wideman is very toolsy. He can definitely hit for average, posting a .398/.466/.652 slash line in his lone season (60 games) at Western Kentucky after a .423/.488/.724 in 115 Juco games. He also brings a big speed aspect, stealing 48 bases in 2024 and then 45 in 2025. Besides those two traits, many onlookers feel that his power potential is untapped due in part to a 6-foot-4, 204-pound frame. Wideman had 10 homers at Western Kentucky after 22 in two Juco seasons. After being selected, he reported to Low A Lake Elsinore and had a .229/.330/.271 slash line in 26 games, with no homers and 12 RBIs with 11 steals in 12 tries. The concern with Wideman offensively is how he adjusts to pro pitching. His grounder and chase rates were among the worst in Division I. The Padres will need to help Wideman hone in his approach at the plate, perhaps eliminating a big leg kick. After striking out 47 times in 283 plate appearances (16.6%) at Western Kentucky, he went down 32 times in 112 plate appearances (28.6%) at Lake Elsinore. He had a 40% chase rate in college in 2025 and 35% with the Storm. Defensively, Wideman has the speed and the range to track down any ball in center field, but needs to improve his routes to the ball, something that can be smoothed over as a pro. While he has an average arm, his legs will keep him in center. A return to Lake Elsinore and the California League seems pretty obvious in order to put the changes made in the offseason and spring training into action. With the investment of a third-round pick, at least a round or two higher than projected, Wideman will get time to prove himself. If things click early and the Padres like what they are seeing, a promotion to High-A Fort Wayne will be waiting. His tools are easy to dream on, especially if he puts together a 25-homer season, which seems very reachable based on his college performance. It would not be out of bounds to project a 25-homer, 70-steal season while playing the premium position of center field if absolutely everything clicks. But that only comes if he is able to smooth out the rough patches at the plate.

Madonna is another of the 2025 debutants in the top 20. He was chosen by the Padres in the 11th round of the July draft out of Ballard High School in Seattle. The club gave him a $654,000 signing bonus, more than four times above slot, to break his commitment to UCLA. A strong showing in the spring-summer MLB Draft League boosted his stock. Madonna made his pro debut two weeks before the end of the California League season with Lake Elsinore. He started seven games at catcher and two games at first base. Contact was a big issue, noted by his 38.3 strikeout rate and a 61.3 percent ground-ball rate in 60 plate appearances. There were hiccups on defense, as well. Madonna went 1-for-14 in throwing out base stealers, a seven-percent success rate. He was also charged with two passed balls. Power is Madonna's signature tool. Prospect Savant pegs it at 50 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. The hit tool is 40, as is the run tool. His arm tool is 50 and his field tool is 40. Madonna already has size -- he's listed at 6-3 and 215 pounds -- and he'll turn 19 on March 12. There's a lot of room for growth in both his body and his game.

The 21-year-old doesn't do anything that great, but he does a lot of things decently. The Padres have moved Verdugo off shortstop, playing him at second base this season after working mostly at third base in 2025. Both seasons have been spent at High-A Fort Wayne, which indicates that Verdugo isn't doing a lot to make himself noticed in the Padres' system. Since debuting as a 17-year-old in the Arizona Complex League, Verdugo has a .223/.329/.370 slash line with 38 homers and 206 RBIs. That includes a .218/.310/.376 slash line this year through Wednesday, with five homers and 15 RBIs in 29 RBIs. He doesn't steal much, either, with 15 of his 32 career thefts coming in 2022 with Lake Elsinore. He can draw walks, receiving a career-high 72 free passes in 2025, but he also strikes out a lot with a career-worst 158 last year. He has a short, compact swing that could produce more power—Verdugo had a career-high 13 in 2025—which would make his slash line a lot more palatable, but that power potential is dependent on improving his approach at the plate. Defensively, his arm strength is probably more suited for second base. Considering he is repeating a second full season at Fort Wayne, this feels like an important season as to whether Verdugo progresses in the system or stagnates.

After having Tommy John surgery following his selection by the Padres in the seventh round of the 2023 draft and missing all of 2024, the right-hander made his pro debut in late-April 2025. Armed with a triple-digit four-seam fastball and a sinker that sits in the 97-98 mph range, Musgrove is one of the arms to keep an eye on. He was drafted as a two-way player, but has since ditched the hitting part of that to focus on pitching. The Friars were very cautious with Musgrove's workload in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. He appeared in just 14 games, throwing 20 innings overall, going three innings just once and didn't have more than 43 pitches in any outing. In fact, only three of his appearances lasted more than 30 pitches. Still, he gave glimpses of what the Padres hoped they would be getting, as he struck out 26 in those 20 frames. The 6-foot-1, 174-pounder also has a sharp-breaking sweeper, as well as a slider and a curveball. He is looking to develop a changeup, too. He has nearly seven feet of extension, which gives hitters less time to figure out which pitch he is throwing and how to react. Musgrove has made nine appearances thus far in 2026, never throwing more than 34 pitches, with his longest outing 1⅔ innings.