Steve Drumwright

Following a seemingly endless amount of trades in recent years, the San Diego Padres' farm system ranks near the bottom of the league, regardless of which outlet is doing the analysis. But at Padres Mission, we are focusing on the players who are still with the Friars and will be looking to climb to the majors. As we continue our countdown of the top 20 Padres prospects ahead of the 2026 season, this group provides quite a range, with one having already made his MLB debut and another still looking to move past Low-A. In the first chapter of this series, we looked prospects No. 16-20. Here is who the writers at Padres Mission ranked No. 11-15: No. 15 Tirso Ornelas (El Paso Chihuahuas, San Diego Padres) Ornelas signed with the Padres in 2016 as an international free agent as a 16-year-old. Now about to turn 26, the native of Tijuana, Mexico, has certainly gone through a few trials and tribulations with the Friars. After reaching minor-league free agency following the 2023 season, the outfielder re-signed with the Padres. Then, he was curiously added to the 40-man roster July 17, 2024, but not called up to the majors. While he hasn't flashed the power typically associated with the position, Sanabria put together a 2025 slash line of .257/.309/.376 with a career-high 12 homers to go along with 56 RBIs in 119 games. That line was down from his 2024, where he had a .288/.396/.427 showing with 11 homers and 78 RBIs at three stops: Low A Lake Elsinore, High A Fort Wayne and San Antonio. Still, his 30 doubles and on-base percentage were the best in the organization. That earned him a shot in the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a .276/.364/.345 line in 15 games, though that came with no homers and four RBIs. He was also named the Padres' Hitting Prospect of the Year by MLB Pipeline. With a .283 batting average across four seasons and just 31 homers, Sanabria is more contact-focused despite his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. Maybe more power comes with experience, but the batting average would certainly help to offset that — the Padres have experience with such an archetype at the cold corner, having just employed Luis Arraez. Sanabria needs to improve his walk rate (just 7.6% in 2025) and reduce his strikeout rate (21.4%), which would make him an even better hitter. While the Padres have a lot of coverage at first base in 2026, Sanabria has already made a splash in his second trip to the team's major-league spring camp. In his first five games, he went 4-for-7 with two doubles and a homer, while driving in six. He has a ticket to El Paso waiting for him, a needed stop in his development. But an MLB debut could come this year with a chance to win the starting job in 2027. Year Age AgeDif Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB 2025 23 -1.0 San Antonio TL AA SDP 119 499 452 54 116 18 0 12 56 4 1 38 107 .257 .309 .376 .685 170 6 0 1 8 3 View full article

Following this weekend, all of the the San Diego Padres' World Baseball Classic participants will have departed camp in Peoria, Arizona, leaving time for other players to get sharp or improve their chances of getting on the Opening Day roster. As a reminder: Don't take anything too seriously in this recap. It is only spring training, where exhibition games often devolve into minor-league scrimmages. The information below is meant as basic news, not necessarily hardcore analysis. The Friars dropped to 4-6 in the Cactus League after losing to the Colorado Rockies 3-2 Friday, beating the Seattle Mariners 7-1 Saturday and losing to the San Francisco Giants 9-1 Sunday. Who's Hot for Padres? 🔥 Randy Vasquez: The right-hander continued his bid for one of the two open spots in the starting rotation. He got the start against the Rockies and went 2⅔ hitless innings. He didn't allow a run, but did walk two and struck out four. He threw 37 pitches, 24 for strikes. Vasquez hasn't allowed a run in either of his two starts, covering 4⅔ innings while yielding just one hit. JP Sears: If your ERA goes down by 41.73, that means two things happened: You had one really bad outing followed up by a really good one. The left-hander did just that Saturday, going three innings and allowing one run on three hits. Sears walked one and struck out one while throwing 34 pitches, including 23 strikes. That came after his spring debut went awry, surrendering four runs in two-thirds of an inning. It was a good bounce back as he competes for a spot in the rotation. Ty France: This is more of a status update than someone who is hot at the plate. France, a non-roster invitee, did go 1-for-2 against the Giants, a sharp single to left off WBC-bound Giants right-hander Logan Webb. But the real news is that France started the game at third base, a position he has not played in an MLB game since 2022. And, as luck would have it, the very Giants first batter of the game, Willy Adames, rocketed one right at France, who deflected it into left field for a hit. He played the position in 36 games as a Padres rookie in 2019, but only 17 times since. That versatility will help in his bid to make the roster. Who's Not? 🧊 German Marquez: The right-hander is a leading candidate to claim one of the last two spots in the rotation, so his bumpy first outing should be taken with a grain of salt. The former Colorado Rockies ace was tagged for three runs in his first of two innings against the Giants. He gave up four hits while facing mainly Giants regulars, though he did strike out two in that opening frame. Chalk that up to rust and spring jitters. Marquez did come back in the second inning to retire all three batters he faced, finishing with 27 strikes in his 37 pitches. Luis Campusano: Playing in all three games, including starting twice, Campusano went 1-for-6. That dropped his spring average down to .167 (2-for-12). Nothing to be worried about considering his history as a hitter. His starts came with Vasquez and Marquez on the mound, while he replaced starting catcher Freddy Fermin in the other. As long as his defense is what the coaching staff is looking for, he will be an asset. Sung Mun Song: While starting at third base and second base, Song went 1-for-6 and also saw his average drop to .167 (2-for-12). With his role clear thus far as a utility player, Song's defensive ability will be his primary contribution until his bat comes around. Don't forget there are more than three weeks left in the Cactus League. He will work on the back fields at shortstop and left field before playing those spots in a game. View full article

Merrill Kelly had dreams of living on Coronado and pitching at Petco Park with the San Diego Padres for the next three years. But California's high tax rate ultimately made the difference in the right-handed starter choosing to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 37-year-old said Monday on the "Foul Territory" podcast that the Padres initially had the better deal for three years, but the D'backs eventually increased their two-year offer to make it worthy of turning down the Friars to remain in the desert. Kelly wound up getting a two-year, $40 million contract from the D'backs with a vesting option for 2028. "I don't think it's any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California. There were a lot of factors that went into the three-year deal. It was definitely enticing, it definitely made the decision a lot harder to come back here. But once Arizona, once these guys got to the number they did, it made a lot of sense to come back here." California has a tax rate of 13% on incomes $1 million and above, while Arizona as a flat rate of 2.5%. "I love San Diego," Kelly said. "Like I said, they take too much money out of my pocket. The taxes over there are a different level. We had my numbers guy run the numbers and it just made more sense to come home — which is crazy on a two-year compared to a three-year (contract)." Kelly said he was close to choosing the Padres, but is happy to be able to not leave his family in the Phoenix area. "It worked out best for us because that was honestly our second choice," Kelly said. "It was between here and San Diego going into the offseason." View full rumor

There is another addition to the San Diego Padres' outfield competition. Alex Verdugo, a left-handed hitter released by Atlanta last season, agreed to a minor-league contract with the Padres, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Sunday. The deal will become official once the 29-year-old passes a physical. A left-handed hitter, Verdugo was designated for assignment and released by Atlanta in July following the return of former Friars outfielder Jurickson Profar after serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Verdugo, who had signed a $1.5 million contract with Atlanta, had put up a meager .239/.296/.289 slash line with no homers and 12 RBIs in 213 plate appearances over 56 games. That was a second consecutive poor offensive year for Verdugo, who posted a .233/.291/.356 slash line in 2024 with the New York Yankees, with 13 homers and 61 RBIs in 149 games. Verdugo's career numbers show there could still be some production left. His career slash line is .270/.326/.406, mostly done between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox over his first seven MLB seasons. His 13 homers in 2024 matched his career high, accomplished twice. Verdugo now jumps into the mix with Bryce Johnson for a backup outfield role. Johnson does not have any minor-league options remaining. Verdugo is mainly a corner outfielder, but does also play center. View full rumor

A.J. Preller hit the upgrade button and solidified some weak spots for the San Diego Padres' roster. The president of baseball operations brought in three candidates for the rotation and two bats since Padres Mission did the first version of an Opening Day roster projection at the beginning of the month. That is five veterans who could play big roles for the Friars. It didn't take much to fit four of those players on the 40-man roster, with the fifth getting a minor-league deal. That means players who felt good about their roster spots at the beginning of spring training suddenly had their roles change or their roster spots not locked in. Now that there are about a week's worth of Cactus League games in the books and a few injuries to consider, here is Padres Mission's look at how we see the first Opening Day roster for new manager Craig Stammen coming together. Starting Rotation (5) 1. Nick Pivetta (RHP) 2. Michael King (RHP) 3. Joe Musgrove (RHP) 4. Walker Buehler (RHP) 5. German Marquez (RHP) v.2.0 changes: Walker Buehler and German Marquez replace Randy Vasquez and JP Sears. In addition to Buehler, who signed a minor-league deal, and Marquez, the Padres also signed right-hander Griffin Canning, who is still working his way back from a ruptured left Achilles injury and has been throwing early in camp. A SoCal native, Canning will begin the season on the injured list. A typical recovery time is nine months, and Canning was injured at the end of June, so a late-April return would be an early target. But the real impact is bringing on Buehler and Marquez, two established veterans looking to bounce back on team-friendly deals. Buehler can earn $1.5 million when added to the MLB roster, while Marquez has a major-league deal for $1.75 million. Buehler hasn't been at his best since having Tommy John surgery in August 2022, but showed some promise in his final seven outings of 2025, four with the Boston Red Sox and three with the Philadelphia Phillies after being released. Marquez could simply improve with a change of scenery following parts of 10 seasons with the Colorado Rockies. Marquez also had Tommy John surgery, his coming early in the 2024 season. He returned to make 26 starts in 2025, but struggled to a 5.47 FIP. It will be up to pitching coach and associate manager Ruben Niebla to get the veterans experiencing success once again. The loser in these additions is Vasquez, who was sitting as the No. 4 choice entering camp. He doesn't do anything very well and would be a solid part of the rotation if not for the presence of Buehler or Marquez. Any setbacks for any of the five starters mentioned above would open the door for Vasquez, who doesn't have any minor-league options remaining. It is a good problem for the Friars to have after beginning the month pretty thin. Bullpen (8) Mason Miller (RHP) Adrian Morejon (LHP) Jeremiah Estrada (RHP) Wandy Peralta (LHP) David Morgan (RHP) Yuki Matsui (LHP) Bradgley Rodriguez (RHP) Ron Marinaccio (RHP) v.2.0 changes: None. No big concerns about one of the top bullpens in all of MLB. The only issue that has cropped up thus far is a minor groin injury to Matsui, who withdrew from the World Baseball Classic. His status for Opening Day is still up in the air, but that is a month away. I am still being cautious with right-hander Jason Adam, who is coming back from a ruptured left quadriceps tendon on Sept. 1. Adam recently expressed optimism he could pitch Opening Day, but ensuring he is 100% back is more important. Marinaccio, who is out of options, could be the odd man out if Adam is ready, although Rodriguez could be sent to Triple-A as well. Catcher (2) Freddy Fermin Luis Campusano v.2.0 changes: None. Not much to update here. Fermin is the starter and Campusano the backup. This is the first season Fermin will be the primary starter after serving as Salvador Perez's backup with the Kansas City Royals. He did play in 111 and 109 games each of the last two seasons with about 350 plate appearances each, so durability shouldn't be a problem. He has a career .264/.309/.376 slash line, which is fine. How Stammen mixes in Campusano will be interesting. Campusano is a bat-first catcher with a .240/.294/.372 MLB slash line over six seasons. Fans have been waiting for him to break through. Is this the year? Infield (6) Manny Machado (3B) Xander Bogaerts (SS) Jake Cronenworth (2B-1B) Nick Castellanos (1B-RF) Gavin Sheets (1B) Sung Mun Song (2B-3B-OF) v.2.0 changes: Nick Castellanos replaced Mason McCoy. Are the Padres a perfect landing place for Castellanos, considering his exit from the Philadelphia Phillies? Perhaps. He is buddies with Machado, as both grew up in the Miami area, so that will help with the clubhouse adjustment. Any missteps in Philly will be put in the rearview mirror if Castellanos can do two things: 1) capably play first base; and 2) come surpass the .260/.306/.426 slash line he put up in four years with the Phillies. Castellanos averaged 20.5 homers there, including hitting 29 in 2023. The power is something the Friars most definitely need after finishing 28th in homers last year. Adding Castellanos, providing he can play first, pushes Sheets to more of a DH role after having to play too much left field in 2025 and creates more lineup depth. It also creates more flexibility at DH based on matchups or simply giving players like Machado a day off. The biggest gap with this move is not having a true shortstop as a backup to Bogaerts. Cronenworth played the position last year when Bogaerts was injured, doing it pretty well, so Mason McCoy would just be a phone call away if needed. Song is looking like a utility player at this point and is expected to see time in the outfield this spring. Outfield (5) Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF) Jackson Merrill (CF) Ramon Laureano (LF) Miguel Andujar (LF-3B-1B) Bryce Johnson (OF) v.2.0 changes: Miguel Andujar replaced Tirso Ornelas. Raise your hand if you thought Tirso Ornelas was going to start the season on the Opening Day roster. It was just a matter of time before Preller addressed that weakness and added more offense to this mix. Andujar was signed to a one-year, $4 million contract. He does very well against left-handed pitchers, producing a .389/.409/.578 slash line in 2025 and a .297/.332/.475 career mark. Andujar will get time as the DH as well as left field, and spot starts at third and first. No longer a great source of power due to injuries, Andujar will get on base and drive in runs. Ornelas, by the way, was designated for assignment in order to add Canning to the 40-man roster, but cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso. View full article

We are still in small-sample size territory with the San Diego Padres, and, with these being spring training games, you can never truly tell what the results mean. Coaching pointers are still taking effect, and players might be trying something different as Cactus League games are the perfect time to experiment. The Friars' coaching staff knows what everything means, as it has better information than the average fan. Radar guns and exit velocities mean little at this point. As a reminder: Don't take anything too seriously in this recap. It is only spring training, where exhibition games often devolve into minor-league scrimmages. The information below is meant as basic information, not necessarily hardcore analysis. The Padres went 2-2 since our initial update and are now 3-4 in the Cactus League, though wins and losses mean nothing. The Friars beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-5 on Monday, lost to the Chicago Cubs 6-5 on Tuesday, beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 on Wednesday, and lost to the Cincinnati Reds 11-10 on Thursday. Who's Hot? 🔥 Michael King: In his spring debut, the right-hander sparkled. King went a surprising 2⅔ innings against the Angels, throwing 37 pitches, including 26 strikes. He struck out four and walked none, allowing two hits and one run while facing a lineup filled with Angels regulars. It was an efficient outing for the pitcher coming off a season marred by shoulder and knee injuries, limiting him to 15 starts. Manny Machado: You know, Machado will be just fine when it comes to Opening Day. But before he leaves for the World Baseball Classic, where he is the captain of the Dominican Republic team, he gave the Friar Faithful a dose of what he hopes is not just a huge spring, but a big 2026 as well. The Padres' third baseman launched a pair of home runs against the Reds, hitting a two-run shot in the third inning off left-hander Nick Sando and then hitting a game-tying grand slam in the sixth off right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Those were Machado's first two hits of the spring, entering the game 0-for-5. He added a walk for good measure. Romeo Sanabria: In his second trip to spring training, the first baseman made the most of his limited work, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and five RBIs in three games. He drove in a run in each of his appearances as a backup first baseman (twice) or pinch-hitter, highlighted by a three-run double against the Brewers. Sanabria doesn't likely have a place on this year's roster with the sudden logjam of first basemen, but he will go to Triple-A El Paso in hopes of being ready in case he is needed. Who's Not? 🧊 JP Sears: Sure, it was just his first Cactus League game, but for someone who needs every impression this spring to be good, this was not that. The left-hander, hoping to claim one of the last two rotation spots, was torched for four runs in two-thirds of an inning by the Brewers. All four hits Sears gave up were hit hard, with three exit velocities over 100 mph and the other at 97.3, all coming against MLB regulars. Even the first out had an EV of 101.1. Sears threw a lot of strikes, with 21 of 30 pitches swung at or in the zone. One piece of good news was that he didn't issue a walk, although he did hit a batter. Will Wagner: Vying for a backup infield spot, Wagner is off to a rough start this spring. He went 0-for-7 in three games and is 0-for-9 after the first week. He made a start at second, then came in as a replacement at third base and first base, showing his positional versatility. He has eight appearances in the minors at shortstop. The son of Hall of Fame closer Billy Wagner has a really good slash line in the minors at .294/.394/.439, but that has yet to translate at the MLB level, with a .256/.329/.346 mark in 79 games, including 15 with the Padres after coming over from the Toronto Blue Jays at the deadline. Marco Gonzales: This is a bit unfair considering the left-hander didn't pitch at all in 2025 after having flexor tendon surgery and an internal brace procedure in 2024. So his start vs. the Cubs was his first game action in quite some time, regardless of the circumstances. Gonzales allowed three runs on five hits in 1⅔ innings, striking out two and walking none. He faced 12 batters and threw 26 of his 38 pitches for strikes. Gonzales, in camp on a minor-league deal, was pushed down in the battle for a starting rotation job with the additions of German Marquez, Griffin Canning, and Walker Buehler. View full article

Drew Brees helped the San Diego Chargers score plenty of points during his time with the NFL team. Now, he is hoping to push a local bid to purchase MLB's San Diego Padres across the goal line. The quarterback, who will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, has joined Vuori founder Joe Kudla, the CEO of the Carlsbad-based athletic leisure clothing company, in an attempt to buy the Padres, according to a report Thursday by The Athletic. Sources told The Athletic that the Kudla-Brees team is one of five groups that submitted initial bids by Wednesday's deadline. Also in contention are Joe Lacob, owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors and WNBA's Golden State Valkyries, and Jose E. Feliciano, who is part of the group that owns Chelsea of the English Premier League. Feliciano's ClearLake Capital is based in Santa Monica. The names of the other two bidders were not explicitly mentioned in The Athletic report, although San Diego-born Daniel Friedkin, like Feliciano, an EPL owner (Everton), had previously been mentioned as a candidate. That leaves one mystery entity pursuing the Padres. The sources who spoke to The Athletic said the five bids were "strong." The Seidler family is seeking nearly $3 billion to sell the Padres, who were valued at $1.9 billion last year. Sportico has reported that the Padres' value has since increased to $2.31 billion. The record price for an MLB franchise was the $2.42 billion paid by Steve Cohen in 2020 for the New York Mets. Peter Seidler and Ron Fowler's group bout the Padres in 2012 for $800 million. The sale appears to be moving fast. While it wasn't known how many of the five groups would be advancing to the next stage, The Athletic said a sale agreement could be done by Opening Day, which is four weeks away. BDT and MSD Partners are the banks overseeing the sale. That is the same firm that helped handle the sale of the NBA's Boston Celtics for a record $6.1 billion. Any sale needs to be approved by MLB owners. The Seidler family announced in mid-November that it was seeking to sell the team, but there were still some legal issues among the family following the death of Peter Seidler on Nov. 23, 2024, that needed to be settled. John Seidler, the oldest of three brothers who took over as team chairman in February 2025, said last week that he was hoping for a local group to join the pursuit of the Padres. Kudla certainly fits that role. He graduated from the University of San Diego and founded Vuori in 2015. The company was valued more than a year ago at $5.5 billion. Kudla and Brees are friends and workout partners, with Brees occasionally still attending Padres games. The Seidler family owns less than 50% of the Padres, including 24% held by Peter Seidler's trust, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The trust's beneficiaries are Peter Seidler's widow, Sheel Seidler, and their three children. There are between 10 and 12 other entities that are minority owners. View full article

With players from all around MLB getting ready to leave for their World Baseball Classic camps, there is one member of the San Diego Padres who will be sticking around. Left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui, who sustained a minor left groin strain a week ago, will not participate in the WBC with Japan, Matsui said Thursday. His status for Opening Day with the Friars is to be determined. Matsui is a key member of one of MLB's best bullpen's. “It’s pretty disappointing,” Matsui told assembled media through interpreter Ike Ogata. “Especially since I didn’t do so well at the last WBC and I was looking forward to playing in this one. But that’s not the only thing. It’s baseball. I’m trying to move on, to get the best preparation for the season and to play for the Padres.” View full rumor

If there is a singular strength of the San Diego Padres entering the 2026 season, it is most definitely the bullpen. There will be a few relievers who should be on the Friars' Opening Day roster who instead will be suiting up for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. Or maybe another franchise altogether. That is one possibility, as reported by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres, who had one of the best sets of relievers in MLB in 2025, are fielding calls on members of their bullpen, although there are no specifics at this point. With everyone either healthy or on pace to be healthy for Opening Day, relievers who could be on the outside looking in include Bryan Hoeing, Bradgley Rodriguez, Ron Marinaccio, Kyle Hart, Ty Adcock, and Alek Jacob. Hart is the only left-hander in that group. All are right-handers except for Hart, while Marinaccio and Adcock are out of minor-league options. Right-hander Jason Adam (ruptured quad) and left-hander Yuki Matsui (groin) are mending injuries, and their Opening Day status is up in the air at the moment. Where could the Padres be looking to upgrade? They could still be looking for starting depth, even after the in-camp additions of German Marquez, Walker Buehler, and Griffin Canning. A backup infielder capable of playing shortstop is also another area. Of course, prospects are also nice, especially for a farm system that has been depleted through trades. View full rumor

The days of Rickey Henderson, Vince Coleman, and Kenny Lofton are over when it comes to what many grew up with as prototypical leadoff hitters. All you have to do is look at Kyle Schwarber and Shohei Ohtani now taking over what had been a table-setter role. Now, it is more of a tone-setting spot in the lineup, able to open the game with a home run as much as a double off the wall. That is a long way from a single (perhaps via bunt), a stolen base, and scoring on an ensuing hit. So the San Diego Padres, using Fernando Tatis Jr. in the leadoff spot in 2025, while perhaps out of necessity instead of convenience, made a lot of sense. He has the speed-power combo that feels ideal for that role. This spring, however, new Friars manager Craig Stammen unveiled a new top of the lineup, with Tatis moving down to cleanup. The rest of the top four have been Xander Bogaerts, Jackson Merrill, and Manny Machado. This is still a work in progress and could be different before Opening Day. Tatis said the leadoff role wasn't necessarily something he wanted. Could it unlock more from the Padres' offense? Particularly from a power perspective, it could. The Friars famously finished 28th of 30 MLB teams with 152 home runs. Yes, even less than the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins. From 2023-25, after missing all of 2022 due to injury and a performance-enhancing drug suspension, Tatis has hit 25, 21, and 25 home runs, scored 91, 64, and 111 runs, driven in 78, 49, and 71 runs, and stolen 29, 11, and 32 bases. Injuries limited him to 104 games in 2024. While Tatis would have about 20 fewer plate appearances by hitting cleanup as opposed to leadoff, he would have more opportunities to drive in runs and, perhaps, free himself up to be more of a power hitter. After all, he would go from hitting behind the Friars' 7-8-9 hitters to hitting after the top three in the lineup, including immediately after Machado. That would also benefit Machado, given the threat of Tatis following him. Cleanup was a rotation of hitters in 2025. Some of this adjustment to the lineup has to do with the departure of Luis Arraez, whose ability to make contact was ideal at or near the top of the order. Tatis made great strides in 2025 with his walk and strikeout rates. His walk rate jumped up from 8.3% in 2023 and 7.3% in 2024 to a career-best 12.9%, while his strikeout rate went down from 22.2% to 21.9% to 18.7% in 2025. His 18.7% was well below the MLB average of 22.5%. That is the type of discipline improvement you want to see from a player entering his prime years. Tatis is, after all, just turned 27 years old to begin 2026. And let's face it. Tatis at cleanup is a much bigger threat than Merrill, who had a subpar 2025 and batted there occasionally throughout 2025 and all three postseason games. Tatis at the cleanup spot could produce a 30-homer season and improve the Friars' 4.33 runs per game in 2025, which ranked 18th in MLB. Even another 65 runs total, less than one run every two games, would put the Friars in the top 10. This is also dependent on the top two spots in the lineup being productive. Bogaerts will have to make the biggest transition. Even back to his Boston Red Sox days, Bogaerts has been a middle-of-the-order bat. In his three years with the Padres, Bogaerts has had on-base percentages of .350, .307, and .328. His career walk rate is 8.4%, right on the MLB average of 8.3%. His strikeout rate with the Friars is 16.8%, nearly 6 points better than the league average. Both are good traits for a leadoff hitter. While not currently the power threat that Tatis is, hitting 19, 11, and 11 homers with the Padres, Bogaerts did steal a career-best 20 bases in 2025. Merrill's bounce back is perhaps the most important part of this top four working. Entering his third season, Merrill was plagued by injuries in 2025 (strained hamstring, concussion, sprained ankle), which led to his slash line dropping from .292/.326/.500 to .264/.317/.457. While his strikeout rate of 19.4% is a few points better than the MLB average, his walk rate of 5.8% needs improvement. That might make him a really good candidate to hit second, ahead of Machado, as he will see better pitches. Protection for Tatis as the cleanup hitter will also be important, which is why the Padres need the acquisitions of Nick Castellanos and Miguel Andujar, in particular, to pay off, as well as left fielder Ramon Laureano to be somewhat close to his 2025 production. Castellanos being able to handle first base, with early reviews promising, would allow a platoon at designated hitter with Andujar, Gavin Sheets, and perhaps Sung Mun Song. That combo hitting fifth and sixth would definitely ramp up the production, particularly from a power perspective, to this lineup. View full article

Right-hander Matt Waldron's chances to make the San Diego Padres' Opening Day starting rotation took a major hit when he had a medical procedure to treat an infection. New Padres manager Craig Stammen said Waldron, who features a knuckleball, is "week-to-week" after the procedure addressed the infection in his "rear end." The 29-year-old spent most of 2025 at Triple-A El Paso and made just one MLB start. But with room in the rotation this spring, Waldron entered camp as one of a handful of candidates for the last two spots. He is out of minor-league options, which means he needs to make the Opening Day roster or go on the 15-day injured list to avoid being designated for assignment. Waldron started 26 times (in 27 appearances) in 2024, putting up a 4.26 FIP. He walked 6.4% of batters and struck out 21.3%, solid numbers. By throwing the knuck View full rumor

When it comes to the San Diego Padres' outfield entering the 2026 season, this is the group from which you can expect the most production. Which is saying a lot considering how good the Friars' bullpen is. But that is because of the talent the the Padres have in the outfield. That starts with Fernando Tatis Jr., moves to Jackson Merrill, and concludes with Ramon Laureano. All three figure to play significant roles in the offense, with Tatis and Merrill batting in the top four and Laureano possibly anchoring the bottom four. Who Was Scheduled to Come Back? In addition to Tatis in right, Merrill in center and Laureano in left, backup Bryce Johnson also returns. Thus, that continuity, along with the bulk of the position-player group returning 2025, bodes well for an offense that should be strong (despite some obvious shortcomings). Since Tatis' forgettable 2022, in which he was recovering from a shoulder injury before being suspended for a performance-enhancing drug, the right fielder has bounced back. Not only has he been one of the best defenders in the game, but he's also also producing offensively. Sure, it hasn't been on the same level as his pre-suspension performance, but he has been very consistent in the three seasons since. With his usual flair, Tatis has a combined .266/.344/.459 slash line over the last three years, with 71 homers, 198 RBIs and 72 steals. Take into account that he played just 104 games in 2024 and those numbers would be a few notches higher. Tatis earned down-ballot NL MVP votes in 2023 and 2025, the same years he won the NL Platinum Glove as the best defender, regardless of position, in the league. He fuels that Friars' offense from the leadoff spot, scoring 111 runs in 2025 and 91 in 2023. Tatis also played in a career-high 155 games in 2025, the first he hasn't had to deal with injuries since 2020. Unfortunately, Merrill did deal with injuries in 2025. He went on the injured list three times, once for a strained hamstring (24 games missed), then a concussion (11 games), and then for a sprained right ankle (13 games). How those various ailments affected him throughout the season is probably a contributing factor to his .264/.317/.457 slash line with 16 homers, 67 RBIs and just one steal (three attempts). That, of course, came after he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and received NL MVP votes with a slash line of .292/.326/.500, hitting 24 homers and driving in 90 with 16 steals (19 attempts). He also struck out 108 times in 483 plate appearances in 2025 after whiffing 101 times in 593 plate appearances as a rookie. As a positive, he did walk 33 times in 2025, up from 29 in 2024. Laureano, a right-handed hitter who came over at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles, had a career year in 2025. He put up a .290/.355/.529 slash line with the Orioles, then dropped to .269/.323/.489 with the Friars. He hit 15 homers with the Orioles in 290 plate appearances, then his nine in 198 plate appearances after the trade. Johnson is back after the Friars reacquired him early in the 2025 season via a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was at Triple-A El Paso until mid-June. From there, the switch-hitter played in 55 games and had a surprising slash line of .342/.383/.434 with one homer and eight RBIs in 84 plate appearances. His role is mainly as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch hitter. Who Was Added? Former Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos joined the fray after being released due to contract and clubhouse issues. His defense in right was not good, ranking 228th of 230 at the position with minus-11 defensive runs saved. He is known for his bat, averaging 21 homers and 82 RBIs over the last four seasons with the Phillies. No other true outfielder was added, but a couple of hybrid players were. That starts with Miguel Andujar, who spent 2025 with the A's and Cincinnati Reds. He will likely be a top pinch-hitter as a right-handed power bat, though he can play both outfield and infield corners. His career has been marked by injuries and sapped a lot of his power, although he hit 10 in 341 plate appearances over 90 games last year. Another option will be Sung Mun Song, a free agent from the Korea Baseball Organization. Song is a third baseman who also plays second base and a bit of first. He will be learning the outfield this spring training with the Padres to increase his versatility, perhaps becoming a super-utility player. Song has some offensive upside if the transition from the KBO goes smoothly. Candidates to Join the Outfield? There might not be another pure outfielder to join the fray. Tirso Ornelas is now gone after being DFA'd. Among non-roster invitees there is Pablo Reyes and Samad Taylor, who both also have infield experience. That will obviously boost their chances to join the Friars' bench. The Bottom Line There are very few questions in the outfield. Tatis is a given, regaining the luster he lost in 2022 and re-establishing his position in the game as a superstar. He is firmly a fan favorite and the gas that drives the Padres' car. Merrill should bounce back assuming he's fully healthy, and Laureano will be in a good situation as the everyday left fielder, motivated by the fact that he's in a contract year. Castellanos may get an occasional game in right, but he seems to be in the mix for time at first base or, at worst, as the designated hitter. Johnson is a solid backup, with Song and Andujar perhaps adding some more flair to this group. Regardless, the starting group will determine just how far this team goes in 2026. View full article

Spring training, like any exhibition season for any pro league, is often a time for boundless optimism for MLB fans. Especially when that player competing for a bench spot puts up spectacular numbers in what is surely to be that long-awaited World Series run. But I am here to tell you to pump the brakes, San Diego Padres fans. Most Cactus League games follow this format: starting position players play about three innings, then head home, not waiting for the final out. It is more about process than results for those assured of an Opening Day roster spot. With that in mind, Padres Mission is going to do a twice-a-week check-in to see who is doing well and who isn't. Don't take anything too seriously in this recap. It is only spring training, where exhibition games often devolve into minor-league scrimmages. The information below is intended as basic, not hardcore analysis. This recaps the Friars' first three exhibition games. The Padres went 1-2, losing to the Seattle Mariners 7-4, beating the Kansas City Royals 10-3, and falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1. Who's Hot? 🔥 Mason Miller: The closer, who is ramping up to represent the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic, threw 23 pitches Friday vs. the Mariners, 14 of which were strikes. But Miller lit up the radar gun, hitting or surpassing 100 mph nine times, topping out at 101.7 mph. He faced four batters in the fifth inning, including AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, who popped out to second on five pitches. Miller did give up a single to Lazaro Montes, who was pinch-hitting for Julio Rodriguez. Montes, MLB Pipeline's No. 43 prospect, made it to Double-A last year. Jose Miranda: In what figures to be an intense battle for bench spots, the non-roster invite struck an early blow. The corner infielder went 5-for-6 with six RBIs in games vs. the Mariners and Kansas City Royals, including a two-run homer. The homer came against Mariners right-hander Alex Hoppe, who posted a 4.76 ERA in 37 games at Triple-A. He went 3-for-3 with a walk and four RBIs against the Royals. Two of his plate appearances came against Royals right-handed starter prospect Ben Kudrna, who had four games at Triple-A in 2025. Samad Taylor: Another possible piece of the bench puzzle, the non-roster invite played left field and center field against the Mariners and Royals, going 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. He also has infield experience. His damage came against minor-league pitchers. Who's Not? 🧊 Triston McKenzie: The right-hander, a non-roster candidate for the starting rotation, was rocked in two-thirds of an inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Replacing Randy Vasquez to start the third inning, he sandwiched walks to Michael Siani and Kyle Tucker around a flyout by Miguel Rojas. Will Smith then singled off McKenzie, who then struck out Ryan Ward. Nick Senzel followed with a two-run double, ending McKenzie's day after 26 pitches, only 12 of which were strikes. McKenzie, who gave up four runs in his six-batter appearance, topped out his four-seamer at 98.7 mph, his second pitch of the day, and mostly sat around 96 mph. Miguel Mendez: In a game in which the Friars gave up three runs to the Royals, the 23-year-old No. 5 Padres prospect was tagged for two of those in 1⅓ innings. Facing Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez to open the fourth inning, Mendez yielded a leadoff single to Witt, who was caught stealing by Freddy Fermin. Mendez then started the fifth by walking Kyle Isbel and yielding a double to Dairon Blanco. After notching his second strikeout, Mendez walked Josh Rojas to load the bases and was relieved by Alek Jacob, who hit and walked the next two batters. Nick Castellanos and Luis Campusano: We will group these two together because they entered Cactus League play with a strong likelihood of making the Opening Day roster, but could easily be overtaken by poor springs. Castellanos' journey to the Padres is well-documented, while Campusano has seemingly been in the team's future plans for a few years. Both started this spring 0-for-4, nothing to be worried about, but offense is their strong suit. Castellanos did make a couple of nice plays at first base, a position he has never played before. View full article