San Diego Padres Daily Farm Report: September 22

Reno Aces 6, Chihuahuas 5

Key Stats: SS Eguy Rosario 0-for-1, 3 BB; CF Tirso Ornelas 2-for-3, 2 HR (23), BB; RF Cal Mitchell 2-for-4, HR (22); LF Connor Hollis 2-for-4, 2B; RHP Jared Kollar 3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 K, BB; LHP Fernando Sanchez 2 IP, 2 H; RHP Sean Reynolds IP, H; RHP Francis Pena IP, 2 K; LHP Jayvien Sandridge IP, 2 K; RHP Logan Gillaspie 0.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, HBP

Tirso Ornelas put together a strong 2024 campaign. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)

Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas were three outs away from finishing the 2024 campaign on an 11-game winning streak when the wheels fell off for Logan Gillaspie. The righty, who had converted seven of eight save opportunities coming in, came on to protect a two-run lead but quickly loaded the bases with a hit batter and two hits. After a sacrifice fly, he walked them full again before giving up two consecutive singles that tied and then lost the game. It was a disappointing end to the season for Gillaspie, who was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox at the beginning of last offseason. The 27-year-old entered the day with a 3.20 ERA in Triple-A, though he struggled in five different short stints in the Padres’ bullpen through the year. … Gillaspie’s meltdown squandered what was otherwise a stellar day for the bullpen. Lefty Fernando Sanchez, who was added to the El Paso roster this week after spending the year in Single-A, tossed a pair of scoreless innings. It wouldn’t be surprising if the 24-year-old, who edged just past his 2023 innings total with the appearance, is part of the Padres’ delegation in the Arizona Fall League. … Sean Reynolds got in an inning of work after missing eight days following a minor knee injury. The big righty landed eight of his 12 pitches for strikes and dialed his fastball up to 97, showing he should be available to help the big league club in the final week if needed. … Francis Pena put an exclamation point on his fantastic season, getting a grounder and two strikeouts in a clean inning of work. The 23-year-old opened the year in Fort Wayne but overwhelmed hitters there and in San Antonio before reaching Triple-A just 14 months after he threw his first competitive pitch in the U.S. His velocity fell off a bit down the stretch as he nearly doubled his workload from last year, but he still sat comfortably at 96-97 with both his sinker and four-seam fastball, which he pairs with a devastating cutter. … At the plate, Tirso Ornelas and Calvin Mitchell finished the year with a bang. Ornelas, playing center field for the fifth time over the final two weeks of the year, connected on a pair of solo homers and drew a walk to cap his best professional season. The 24-year-old belted a team-high 23 round-trippers while striking out just 16 percent of the time as he pulled the ball in the air more consistently. … Mitchell connected on his fifth homer of the series to push his career-best total to 22. The left-handed outfielder had a monster September, hitting .355/.403/.790. A San Diego native, Mitchell will only have an opportunity at free agency if the Padres don’t add him to the 40-player roster this winter.

Jared Kollar got the start for El Paso, working a scheduled short three innings. The 26-year-old, who added more than 40 innings to his total from last year, is the rare pitcher with solid results as a flyball pitcher in the Pacific Coast League. Our subscribers have an interview with the Pennsylvania native, who provided great insight into his unique journey and performance.