Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 20, 2023, 7:37 pm

It'll probably all be made official tomorrow. The Salas news was surprising, but it has been confirmed by a bunch of sources online and Preller has already commented on it to the UT. It sounds like they really want to give the next wave of talent a chance to bond and grow together.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 20, 2023, 10:51 pm

Fangraphs has already listed the position player promotions from Ft. Wayne on the San Antonio roster.  Be curious to see who moves up to El Paso, down to Ft. Wayne or released because of the influx of all these players.  Even though the SA roster had the least talent at the beginning of the season, they claimed a playoff spot in the first half.  With the Texas League season ending on 9/17, it will be interesting to see how the new talent responds.  Guys like Martorella will probably get a boost by this promotion, but others like Pauley and Marsee were doing so well at Hi A part of me wanted to see how they would finish the season after the earlier promotion of Pauley from LE and the growth shown over the last month or so by Marsee at Ft. Wayne.  Players promoted have to love it!

Quote from fenn68 on August 21, 2023, 5:07 am

This caught be may surprise ... not only some of the names promoted but just the volume (so far) has 5 up to AA and 5 up to A+. Expect some additional announcements to back fill A (only Head so far). Also should see 5 players either released or moved to IL/development list. Don't recall the Padres having made such a mass realignment ever in the past with major prospects.

Since the minor leagues are there to develop players for the ML as the primary objective ... and this is a bit over thinking by me ... usually don't want to move up major prospects before they are ready to handle the next level (at least a legit challenge). So, does this suggest that the Padres see more potential / readiness in these players than maybe we have so far? I guess another spin would be that they are trying to "jump" their ML readiness for bolstering the ML roster in late 2024-25 (clearly need the bench and if they don't sign Soto and move on from Grisham) or advance them as trade chips? One month in a higher level in 2023 should help them take off at the new level in 2024.

Sure seems like a different approach than in the past.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 21, 2023, 6:32 am

Quote from fenn68 on August 21, 2023, 5:07 am

This caught be may surprise ... not only some of the names promoted but just the volume (so far) has 5 up to AA and 5 up to A+. Expect some additional announcements to back fill A (only Head so far). Also should see 5 players either released or moved to IL/development list. Don't recall the Padres having made such a mass realignment ever in the past with major prospects.

Since the minor leagues are there to develop players for the ML as the primary objective ... and this is a bit over thinking by me ... usually don't want to move up major prospects before they are ready to handle the next level (at least a legit challenge). So, does this suggest that the Padres see more potential / readiness in these players than maybe we have so far? I guess another spin would be that they are trying to "jump" their ML readiness for bolstering the ML roster in late 2024-25 (clearly need the bench and if they don't sign Soto and move on from Grisham) or advance them as trade chips? One month in a higher level in 2023 should help them take off at the new level in 2024.

Sure seems like a different approach than in the past.

This is my thinking.

Let them finish at AA...start next season at AA....and those who are successful could theoretically be able to help in SD at least some time in 24'.

El Paso is/should be just a holding ground for backup/bench pieces and rehabbing major leaguers.

PLEASE don't send any "real" prospects there....pitching or position players IMO.

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 21, 2023, 8:06 am

I guess another element in this movement may be a reaction to the Padres discussion with agents for Soto, Snell, Hader, Kim, and others soon to be FA and determining that maybe it will be difficult (or not probable) they would be re-signed (if the Padres want to re-sign them) ... maybe the player wants FA or maybe the ask is way out of line.

Get a better / quicker read on the upside of what they have before making moves on trades or "going the extra" to re-sign one of the FA to be or other FA to a new long term deal.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 21, 2023, 10:48 am

It is interesting to note that all those who moved up are in their first full season at the A level, whether it was Lo or Hi A.  I'm sure there is a psychological effect of getting recognized for your efforts, particularly those who played almost the entire season at a lower level, and it should be interesting to see how the cream of the Padres crop responds in the last month of the season.

With a victory today, the Dominican Summer League Padres Gold team advances to the playoffs, which begins this coming Friday.  They have some decent hitters on that team but pitching is a scarcity in the DSL not only for the Padres Gold team but for the league as a whole.  So with the exception of the Padres Brown team and ACL Padres, all other minors league teams have a mathematical chance, some better than others, of making the playoffs with El Paso the largest gap to overcome but the most games left on their schedule.  Of course, San Antonio is already in in Texas League playoffs.

Quote from dusty on August 21, 2023, 4:12 pm

crazy to hear about Salas. Surprised for sure.

Quote from sportwarrior on August 21, 2023, 4:59 pm

Quote from dusty on August 21, 2023, 4:12 pm

crazy to hear about Salas. Surprised for sure.

All of the other promotions make sense. Even Snelling at 19 being promoted to AA or Lesko being promoted to A+ after like 10 ip make sense. But Salas just feels too aggressive. Let him finish the season at A+ and then start next year at AA, right?

Oh well. Here's hoping he shows us why the Padres were so ultra aggressive with him.

Quote from fenn68 on August 21, 2023, 5:16 pm

Stepping back, we are talking about 18 games (plus playoffs) … not sure that Salas, Snelling, Lesko will see all that much work … rather may just benefit from being in a upper level as they watch the quality at the next level … maybe helps them focus on the over the winter development work. With Salas, been a long season for a 16-17 year old, so could be that limiting his work for the rest of the season makes some sense. Both Snelling and Lesko … maybe 3 appearances with controlled innings should not stress them.

Would expect the others to get some more regular playing time.