A total of 41 different players appeared on at least one of our individual top 30 Padres prospect lists over the winter, ranging from Leo De Vries and Ethan Salas – who took the top two spots for all of us – to catcher Brendan Durfee, who landed at 30 for Clark. Even beyond those players, there are additional Padres sleeper prospects who we think could break out in the coming year.
The system has less depth on the position side than at perhaps any time since A.J. Preller became the general manager more than a decade ago. There are, nonetheless, some interesting names who have the tools and profiles to pop up as sleepers in the coming year. With a limit of just 165 players on the domestic minor league rosters, the pool of candidates is shallower than in past years, but we nonetheless want to call out a few names who you might hear more of this year.
Catchers
Top 20: Ethan Salas
Others receiving votes: Brendan Durfee; Lamar King Jr.; Brandon Valenzuela
I was set to write up Durfee here before Clark snuck the big left-handed hitter into the end of his list. With the UC Santa Barbara product out of the running, we turn to the youngest ranks of the system.
Yoiber Ocopio
Signed for $10,000 out of Venezuela in 2023, the 20-year-old backstop is stateside for the first time this spring. A prototypical catch-and-throw prospect, Ocopio propped up his offense with huge walk rates in his two seasons in the DSL. That doesn’t have much bearing on how he’ll progress as he moves up in the system, but he has shown enough pop at the plate to build on. Ocopio will get plenty of opportunities in the ACL this summer as he looks to adapt to the U.S.
Infielders
Top 20: Leo De Vries; Romeo Sanabria; Kale Fountain; Cobb Hightower
Others receiving votes: Marcos Castanon; Jack Costello; Rosman Verdugo
Brandon Butterworth works in the batting cages in Peoria. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Brandon Butterworth
The Padres drafted Butterworth in the 12th round last year after his only season at North Carolina State. The speedy infielder had a big year for Western Carolina in his sophomore campaign, but took a step back against the headier competition of the ACC. He shows whippy bat speed and some feel for the barrel which helped him walk more than he struck out for the Wolfpack. His results in Lake Elsinore at the end of last season weren’t great, but he’ll get a chance to show what he can do after a full offseason of strength-building work.
Outfielders
Top 20: Kavares Tears; Tirso Ornelas
Others receiving votes: Sean Barnett*; Braedon Karpathios; Kai Roberts; Tyler Robertson
*Barnett will work as a two-way player in 2025.
Outfielder Donte Grant got back to action during instructs in 2024. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Donte Grant
The Padres have made a habit of finding high school players who are willing to get their careers started early as undrafted free agents. Grant signed for $125,000 out of the Seattle area in 2023 rather than going the junior college route at Central Arizona. An athletic left-handed hitter, Grant was off to a fast start in the desert last year before a shoulder injury cost him most of the summer. He was back in action during instructs last fall, showing a better feel for the barrel. This spring, he has been dealing with minor hamstring tightness. Because his speed is a key part of his game, the organization should be cautious with him. Now 20 years old, once Grant is ready to go, he should man center field for the Lake Elsinore roster. As fast as he is, he will still need to elevate the ball more often as he faces more advanced defenses to sustain his offense.
Brandon Lockridge
Acquired in exchange for the Yankees taking on Enyel de la Cruz last summer, the fleet-footed outfielder has been on a slow progression since coming out of Troy University in the fifth round all the way back in 2018. He’s consistently posted double-digit walk rates throughout his career, helping him to an on-base percentage north of .380 in the upper minors. Once he’s on the bases, he’s a true threat, stealing 69 bases in 75 attempts in Triple-A. That profile will earn him opportunities as a fifth outfielder, but at 28 years old, his below-average power will likely limit him from everyday work.
Utility Players
Spence Coffman showed a solid approach in the desert. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
Spence Coffman
Drafted out of high school in 2022, Coffman spent the bulk of his first three years in the organization in Peoria. While he showed solid contact skills, he was often physically overmatched, leading to an ISO of just .044. Now 21 years old, the Mississippi native added 20 pounds of muscle to his frame this winter while still trying to keep the athleticism that was his calling card before. Originally a shortstop, Coffman got action in the outfield last year and will likely be asked to provide versatility for the Storm roster in 2025. If he can capitalize on the new strength, he could fight his way into the mix either on the dirt or the grass going into 2026.
