The Padres main league season is across the nook. Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and their teammates play the primary of 162 this Thursday. The next day the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres Triple-A affiliate, start their season versus the Salt Lake Bees (Angels affiliate).
With outfielder Oscar Gonzalez, infielder Mason McCoy, infielder/outfielder Connor Joe, utility man Tyler Wade, catcher Luis Campusano and infielder Eguy Rosario not making the main league group, the Chihuahuas could have Joe, McCoy and Gonzalez added to their roster. Wade and Rosario should clear waivers for the Padres to retain them and Wade has sufficient service time to elect free company. Outfielder Tirso Ornelas had already been optioned on Saturday. The group additionally designated catcher Brett Sullivan for task.
El Paso Chihuahuas
Stephen Kolek is anticipated to be one of many essential starters in El Paso to start the season after battling for an enormous league rotation spot. Different starters Omar Cruz, Ryan Bergert, Henry Baez and Wes Benjamin are all stretched out for the season. The bullpen options Tom Cosgrove, Eduarniel Nunez, Jose Espada and Harold Chirino.
Rehabbing starter Luis Patino has been assigned to the Triple-A group to finish his throwing program after Tommy John surgical procedure. He needs to be ramping up early within the season.
Most of the gamers seen as later-inning replacements in spring video games spotlight the place participant roster. Infielders Nico Goodrum, Mike Brosseau and Trenton Brooks be part of McCoy. Outfielders Forrest Wall, Jonathan Perlaza, Tim LoCastro will be part of Gonzalez with Connor Joe in a position to play first base and the nook outfield.
All can be found for roster depth for the Padres season.
Single-A Lake Elsinore, Excessive-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio all start their seasons the primary week of April. Preliminary rosters can be found with some notable gamers starting their careers with the Arizona Complicated League, the rookie-level improvement program for MLB. They won’t be getting underway till Could 3, staying with prolonged spring coaching till then.
High prospects LHP Boston Bateman, LHP Kash Mayfield, IF Kale Fountain, IF Cobb Hightower and OF Kavares Tears all begin with the ACL.
Lake Elsinore Storm
The Lake Elsinore Storm start April 8 versus the Modesto Nuts (Mariners affiliate) with a roster that features catcher Lamar King Jr, shortstop Leo De Vries, RHP Tyson Neighbors and outfielder Kai Roberts.
Fort Wayne Tin Caps
Excessive-A Fort Wayne Tin Caps start the yr on April 4 versus the Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics affiliate). The early roster consists of catcher Ethan Salas, infielder Rosman Verdugo, outfielder Tyler Robertson and LHP Jaggery Haynes.
San Antonio Missions
Double-A San Antonio Missions get began on April 4 versus the Amarillo Sod Poodles (Diamondbacks affiliate). RHP Victor Lizarrage, RHP Braden Nett and proper handed reliever Bradgley Rodriguez be part of infielder Romeo Sanabria, outfielder Kai Murphy and catcher Anthony Vilar.
There are nonetheless gamers competing in Arizona that haven’t been assigned to groups as of but however these assignments will come inside the subsequent week.
Two minor leaguers which are presently not listed however justify watching are RHP Bryan Balzar and RHP Sean Barnett.
Sean Barnett
Drafted in 2024 within the eleventh spherical, Barnett is the one two-way participant the Padres have expressed an curiosity in sustaining as a two-way performer. He had 50 AB with Lake Elsinore final season, hitting .280/.333/.753 as an outfielder. He hits for common and has energy, hitting 26 homers his final yr in school. Additionally a reduction pitcher, he will likely be given the chance to do each. It’s seemingly he’ll return to Low-A Lake Elsinore however will not be presently on the roster
Bryan Balzar
Born in Japan from an American father, Balzar signed with the Padres as a global free agent in January of 2023. He doesn’t flip 21 till October. Instantly after signing he required Tommy John surgical procedure and is working his manner again as knowledgeable pitcher. Experiences are that he has elevated in bulk however possessed a excessive velocity fastball previous to including measurement. He ought to start in Low-A Lake Elsinore. He’s mentioned to be an enormous fan of Padres pitcher Yu Darvish and was seen with him this spring across the advanced.
There will likely be weekly minor league updates because the season will get going, highlighting prime gamers from every group.
Organizational depth is a crucial precedence for the Padres. Selling gamers from the minor leagues will likely be extra necessary as time goes on. The Padres have a number of contracts which are escalating over the subsequent few years and using youthful expertise at a decrease price will likely be required very quickly.
The projected roster price for 2026, not together with a left fielder, a primary baseman or Michael King/Dylan Stop, will strategy $184 million. Creating or buying and selling for decrease price expertise would be the solely strategy to hold the Padres aggressive window open going ahead.
