Padres Head Into Draft Day 2

After the Padres went big – literally and figuratively – in the first round of the 2026 draft, the organization added four more players to their class on Saturday, prepping for a long second day that will include rounds 5-20.

The organization followed their selection of Florida prep right-hander Coleman Borthwick by going back to the high school ranks for Canadian shortstop Elliot Lescalles, who they saw as one of the best bat-to-ball talents in the class.

Elliott Lascelles with Team Canada. (Photo: MLB Pipeline).

“Elliot Lescalles has been one of the best high school hitters in the country,” said Padres vice president of scouting Chris Kemp. “Team Canada does a great job of playing pro teams in Arizona, and they go down to Florida and play teams in rookie ball, and it gives you an accurate representation of who’s a real bat and who’s not.

“He sees the ball early, line-to-line, line drives all over the field. He’s very calm and even demeanor, and it felt a plus bat for our group.”

Some in the industry see the 18-year-old left-handed hitter as having moderate power upside as he continues to mature physically. Still, he likely profiles as a table-setter in the pro ranks.

Ryan Lynch on the mound with the Tarheels. (Photo: UNC Sports)

With their third pick, the Padres selected University of North Carolina righty Ryan Lynch, who has shown easy velocity and an intriguing pitch profile. Working out of the Tar Heel rotation for the first time this year, the New Jersey native showed a fastball he can run up to 99 with impressive downward movement and, at times, a plus slider.

The Padres’ pitching development program has helped some players with similar profiles dial in their release points more consistently and improve results. That helped inform Lynch’s selection.

“Our area scout Tyler Littlefield, Jake Koenig, our cross-checker, those guys were ringing the bell early and all year,” said Kemp. “They start getting in touch with James Keller and [Jose] Rada, our pitching group, and having them get under the hood and look at video. The more we got into it, we think there’s a ton of upside with Lynch and definitely a good fit with our group.”

While Lynch could ultimately wind up back in the closer role he filled in his freshman year in Chapel Hill, he is expected to work as a starter as he steps into the professional ranks.

“I think he’s a power starter, but he’s got versatility to do whatever he needs,” Kemp told the media.

Robbie Lavrey. (Photo: George Washington Athletics)

The club filled out day one with George Washington University catcher Robbie Lavey and toolsy Oklahoma State outfielder Alex Conover, whom they selected with the pick they received as compensation for Dylan Cease signing with Toronto as a free agent.

Lavey has been an across-the-board contributor at a solid mid-major program as a left-handed hitting catcher – one of the profiles the Padres have long preferred. Conover has shown both a plus run tool and raw power.

The Padres, always willing to be creative in how they allocate their draft bonus pool, head into day three with enough flexibility to be aggressive with at least a few more selections. They have a total bonus pool just under $9.5 million, nearly three million more than last year and larger – at least in nominal dollars – than any pool they’ve had since 2021.