PEORIA — The top prospects of the Padres defeated their Seattle Mariners counterparts at the Peoria Sports Complex 13-10 in the final game of the Spring Breakout showcase series, a week after their originally scheduled match-up was rained out.
Tirso Ornelas had one of his best days. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
San Diego was powered by a pair of home runs by Tirso Ornelas and a three-run shot by Nathan Martorella. On the mound, Robby Snelling and Bradgley Rodrguiez turned in impressive performances.
The only negative on the day was one of the rougher outings righthander Dylan Lesko has probably ever experienced on the baseball field. He allowed seven earned runs in an inning of work has both his command and control deserted him.
Jonathan Mathews, serving as a roving hitting coordinator in the system after managing the Fort Wayne TinCaps last year, was the winning team’s manager.
“I thought there were some really impressive performances today, but Tirso and Robby stood out,” said Mathews. “Robby had good command of his fastball, and I liked how his secondary pitches worked, particularly his changeup.
Robby Snelling is throwing one of his “angry heaters.” (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
“Also, it’s always interesting to watch the next batter up when someone on the other side gets a hit or does something to annoy him,” laughed Matthews, recalling Snelling’s demeanor after he gave up an RBI double in the second inning.
“He came back and got the next guy on three straight pitches with some very angry heaters.”
Ornelas, the Tijuana native, has been a familiar name to Padres fans for a long time and is one of the last members of the heralded 2016 international signing class. The showcase was an example of what the now-24-year-old can do, with a solo home run in the second and a three-run blast in the seventh to put the team up for good.
“I’ve just been working hard to hit the ball in the air,” said Ornelas. “It doesn’t always work, but I have been catching the ball out front a little more this spring, and hopefully, I will get some more balls over the fence.
The organization has also recently begun playing Ornelas at first base.
“I love it. I’ve never played over there before, but I’m starting to feel comfortable, and if it gets me into the game more, I’ll be happy.”
***
Robby Snelling was happy with his performance, particularly in the changeups he could throw for results. “I was able to hammer my changeup, and I loved how I was able to use it as a reset pitch,” Snelling said post-game. “I’ve been improving the mix of pitches that I throw, and I’m getting more confident in my ability to execute the pitch.
“Right now, my curve is a little ahead of my slider – for some reason. When I threw the slider today, it slowed down my mechanics, but I like where both are right now. You are only sometimes going to have four pitches working for you.
When asked about his penchant for throwing “angry heaters,” Snelling laughed, “I was so mad at giving up that double with two outs [in the second inning] that I needed to take it out on something or someone.
“Fortunately, I got to face another batter.”
***
Leo De Vries continues to impress in camp, and there is a growing consensus within the organization that playing in the ACL would present little or no challenges for him. The Padres have shown they are fearless with promotions if they believe a player has the talent to thrive, and it’s difficult to find anyone in Peoria who doesn’t think that De Vries can play in the Cal League right now.
Today, the 17-year-old Dominican reached base four times, with a pair of walks, an impressive single the other way, and when he was hit by a pitch. Defensively, he can make all the plays at shortstop and has a cannon for an arm.
***
Marcos Castañon drove in three runs and made several nice plays at third base, showing improved mobility and increased arm strength. As with his teammate, Nathan Martorella, he came into camp leaner than in previous years and has moved well in the field and on the bases. .. Martorella also showed the benefits of his leaner body, making several nice plays around first base, particularly on a few scoops and stretching to receive throws. .. Jakob Marsee also had a solid day, reaching base twice and and stealing a pair of bases on his way to two runs scored.
***
Bradgley Rodriguez hit 100 mph on Saturday. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
A pitcher attracting some attention around camp is righthander Bradgley Rodriguez, 20, from Venezuela. He spent all of 2022 and 2023 on the IL, ultimately undergoing elbow surgery, but has impressed numerous organization evaluators with his ability to unleash 100 mph fastballs and offset them with a developing changeup. He got top Mariners’ prospect Harry Ford on a strikeout and didn’t give up a run in his inning of work. His only professional experience so far came back in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League, so he’ll get plenty of runway in his first season stateside.
