The San Diego Padres report for the 2025 spring coaching season very quickly. Pitchers and catchers report on February 12, with the primary full squad exercise on February 17. The primary recreation of spring, the annual exhibition opener vs. the Seattle Mariners is on February 21.
With just some days earlier than issues get actual for the Padres, the roster stays at 38 gamers with 2 open roster spots. Joe Musgrove has not been moved to the 60-day IL but, in order that frees up one other spot when that occurs.
Pitchers
The beginning rotation has essentially the most obvious want. With Joe Musgrove out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure, Yu Darvish and Dylan Stop are essentially the most skilled starters on the roster.
Michael King transformed from reliever to starter over the previous two seasons and was very profitable for the Padres final 12 months. Past these three, the roster nonetheless has Randy Vasquez and Matt Waldron with beginning expertise, however neither was in a position to be a full-time starter final 12 months. Vasquez can also be in a position to pitch in aid. Waldron was despatched all the way down to Triple-A El Paso after operating out of gasoline throughout the season.
Past them, there are unproven arms that may’t be counted on.
Jhonny Brito has had minimal expertise, with matching success. Prospects Ryan Bergert, Henry Baez, Omar Cruz, and not too long ago acquired Juan Nunez all have the potential for offering innings throughout this coming season, however none must be counted on as choices going into the season.
Relievers Stephen Kolek and Bryan Hoeing have the potential to be stretched out into starters, however that can also be not an possibility that may be counted on.
The bullpen appears to be like stable, even with the lack of Tanner Scott. The Padres rely Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon, and Robert Suarez as late-inning choices. Latest rumors have Suarez as a possible commerce possibility, however there are nonetheless good arms remaining for late aid.
That leaves Sean Reynolds, Wandy Peralta, Yuki Matsui, Alek Jacob, newly acquired Ron Marinaccio, and Tom Cosgrove to fill in behind whoever will not be within the rotation to offer lengthy aid and center innings.
Catchers
The current resigning of Elias Diaz offers some insurance coverage in case Luis Campusano involves camp unimproved from final season. Campy hung out in winter ball engaged on his expertise, and supervisor Mike Shildt reported strides had been made throughout his feedback at FanFest. The one different catcher on the roster is light-hitting however extra versatile Brett Sullivan, who may play first base.
Outfield
Changing the lack of Jurickson Profar is a problem. Not too long ago acquired righty Connor Joe and lefty Jayson Heyward can platoon in left subject, offering a veteran possibility. Offensively, Profar took an enormous step ahead final season for the Padres. It’s not seemingly that the 2 veterans will present the extent of offense that Profar supplied.
Additionally on the roster is Brandon Lockridge, who’s a defensive specialist and glorious baserunner, in addition to prospect Tirso Ornelas. Ornelas is a lefty and will win a bench job this spring.
Jackson Merrill returns to middle subject after a spectacular rookie marketing campaign, and Fernando Tatis Jr. will proceed as the best fielder, hopefully returning to his All-Star and Gold Glove caliber self after the therapeutic of the stress response in his proper femur.
Infield
With Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts, and Luis Arraez manning the infield positions, the crew solely lacks a participant to platoon with Arraez as first base/DH. The current signing of Connor Joe may present a very good possibility at first base as that’s his pure place. If Eguy Rosario is ready to win a bench job, he is ready to play second, third and quick in addition to some proper subject (the place he labored a bit of bit final season).
Rosario is out of choices, so it’s do-or-die for him this spring. A real DH/1B can be a welcome addition as properly.
Roster Depth/Utility Gamers
Depth for the crew additionally seems to be an space of want. The Padres re-signed Tyler Wade to offer infield depth, and Rosario continues to attend for a possibility to point out if he’s able to offering something to the main league crew. Lockridge and Ornelas will compete for depth jobs.
Non-Roster Invitees
Pitchers
The Padres have 29 gamers on their invite listing for this spring. The prospects embody Ethan Salas and Leodalis DeVries but additionally embody starters Braden Nett and Austin Krob. Relievers Bradgley Rodriguez and Francis Pena additionally acquired invitations. Luis Patino, former Padres starter who was traded as a part of buying Blake Snell, spent final season on the IL after having Tommy John surgical procedure. He was re-signed as a free agent in January and invited to spring camp.
Logan Gillaspie re-signed as a free agent and lefty Austin Davis, who pitched in seven video games for the Padres in 2024, was additionally invited to camp.
Catchers
The Padres signed 38-year-old catcher Martin Maldonado to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring coaching. At this level, he gives defensive depth and expertise. Prospects Brandon Valenzuela and Anthony Vilar be a part of Salas to proceed their growth.
Infielders
Infielder Mike Brosseau signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring camp. He performed all of 2024 with the Mets Triple-A crew. He final performed within the main leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. The Padres re-signed defensive specialist Mason McCoy to a minor league contract in December. DeVries joins 1B Romeo Sanabria because the prospects on the listing.
1B/OF Gavin Sheets was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring camp. He had a very good rookie 12 months in 2021 however has struggled since. He may platoon at DH/1B if he’s in a position to make the crew.
Outfielders
Two intriguing gamers are included within the three outfielders invited from the minor league ranks. All three signed as free brokers this offseason.
Oscar Gonzalez, 27 years outdated, 6’4” and 240 lbs, debuted in 2022 with Cleveland. He struggled and was waived in 2023, then claimed by the Yankees. In a 2023 spring coaching recreation, he was hit within the eye with a foul ball and suffered an orbital fracture, enjoying the final couple of months within the minors. He elected free company on the finish of 2024 after spending the season with the Yankees Triple-A crew. His slash line in 145 main league video games (.269/.299/.413) with 13 HR and .712 OPS exhibits the potential for a bounce again.
Yonathan Perlaza, a 26-year-old change hitter, is 5’ 9” and 170 lbs. Signed by the Cubs in 2015 out of Venezuela, Perlaza spent the 2016-2023 seasons within the Cubs system, electing free company after 2023. He spent 2024 with Hanwha Eagles within the KBO with a .275/.364/.486 slash line, hitting 24 HR with 70 RBI. Changing into a free agent after that season, he signed with the Padres in December.
The third outfielder invited to camp, Forrest Legislation, has bounced round between the majors and minors, final enjoying with Miami and Atlanta in 2024. A lefty bat, Legislation can play all three outfield positions.
Taking a flyer on these gamers looks as if a risk-free try to catch lightning in a bottle. One thing that Common Supervisor A.J. Preller has finished previously. If any of the non-roster gamers make the crew, they may enhance the depth, very like David Peralta and Donovan Solano final 12 months. Any efficiency near what they supplied can be a welcome addition.
At Padres FanFest, each Preller and Mike Shildt said that every one gamers at Camp 44, Joe Musgrove’s pre-spring coaching exercise camp, had been wholesome and seemed good. That included Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez, Jackson Merrill, Jake Cronenworth, and a lot of the pitchers. A wholesome Machado and Tatis may make up a number of the misplaced manufacturing all by themselves. Arraez performed most of final 12 months with just one wholesome hand and gained the batting title.
It stays to be seen if the Padres add important expertise over the subsequent six or so weeks, however the gamers at FanFest all gave the impression of they anticipated Preller to provide them the weapons wanted to contend once more in 2025.
