Quote from Randy Manese on May 3, 2025, 8:33 am

Big jump from Dominican Summer League to Arizona Complex League but several interesting arms to go along with a couple of catching prospects.  Looking forward to seeing how RHPs Luis Maracara and Winyer Chourio do as both had stats well above league average last year in the DSL.  Yoiber Ocopio and Alcides Hernandez are both young catchers who have shown good plate discipline with OPS above DSL league average and wRC+ of 20 to 30% above league average; not much power but hopefully their OPS will hold up in the desert.  Both  have thrown out 30% or more of baserunners in their 2 years in the DSL.

Quote from fenn68 on May 3, 2025, 12:41 pm

Noted that another of my "follow" prospects was in the ACL line-up today ... Kai Roberts. Another speedster CF ... a bit older at 24 ... but in his brief time in LE in 2024 hit and stole bases.

Today had a hit and stole a base ... was IL due to hamstring I believe ... so should be close to being promoted (to FW?).

 

Quote from fenn68 on May 4, 2025, 5:28 am

Kyle Hart made his first start at EP:

The good: 4.2 innings with only 1 ER (2 total) and only 3 hits BUT

The bad: 6 BB and only threw 45K out of 87 pitches ... that is not a good ratio.

Hart needs command to be successful since his "stuff" is not that dominant.

 

 

Quote from Randy Manese on May 4, 2025, 5:31 am

Padres have taken advantage of Ethan Salas' back injury in mid-April to get him to Arizona and try to find the missing impact in his swing.  This year and last, a lot of slow grounders to the right side of the infield where he seems to be swinging with just his arms and not incorporating his lower body.  While not the hitter like Merrill or De Vries, the Salas we saw two years ago in Lake Elsinore is what we should be looking at with solid barrel rates and good exit velocity; consistency is the key.

San Antonio is a tough place to hit but Merrill just showed yesterday that LH batters can do some damage with the proper swing mechanics.  Here's hoping Salas can get out of this 2 year funk and be at least league average with his bat.  Defense doesn't need that much polishing but still could improve his blocking balls in the dirt.

Quote from fenn68 on May 4, 2025, 7:54 am

With Salas out ... Valenzuela is getting a chance to revive his prospect status. As I recall a plus defensive catcher (something the Padres like) and after one quality hitting season had his offense disappear. Past few weeks showing an uptick in his offense (even with some power).

He does not have to show too much to be a factor in 2026 (maybe as the #2 catcher in SD) ... Maldonado is a FA (and will be 39?) and Diaz is on a mutual option (rarely taken by both sides). That leaves Campusano (who will be out of minor league options) who does not have the defense the Padres like.

If he can hit .200 in the ML and play plus defense ... while being under control for 6 years and at league minimum ... hard not to say he would be an upgrade over Maldonado (or even Diaz). That leaves some time for Salas to get his bat together if that does not happen this year.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 4, 2025, 8:18 am

Path is clear for Valenzuela to be promoted to El Paso when Salas returns; not getting much out of Duran or Roberts (recently activated) at the AAA level.  Maldonado may not last the summer and Diaz mutual option is way too  high for his production even though his defense is still very good.  Padres still need a RH option for the DH and Campy should be able to fit that role - he draws walks and doesn't strike out that much.  Therefore, I can see Valenzuela or another low cost catcher option joining Diaz next year to replace Maldonado with Campy occasionally getting behind the plate.  With ABS on the horizon, Campy's catching deficiencies may not be that important in the long run if he hits at least league average.  MLB overall has had a lot of older catchers mature and become good hitters in their mid to late 20's.  Don't see Salas up (unless he really starts raking) more or less full-time until 2027.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 6, 2025, 9:36 pm

On a day where the parent team got bombed, the 5 minor league team made a clean sweep of things!  Saw Nett pitch his best game of the year and the short debut of Humberto Cruz plus a lot of good relief appearances up and down the system.  Cronenworth hit a HR and drew 3 walks, showing he's ready to come back on Friday in Colorado.  Fountain continues to hit and hope we see him soon in Lake Elsinore.  Should have some good write-ups by Mad Friars tomorrow!

Quote from Randy Manese on May 8, 2025, 9:01 am

Ron Marinaccio pitching better recently in El Paso but rarely used in high leverage situations.  Doesn't have a lot of swing and miss stuff and velocity tops out in the low 90's but if he can keep getting ground outs, he has a chance to be a RH Peralta.  Much better RP prospects throughout the system; maybe a trade piece for a team looking for someone with a little experience and willing to give up a low level prospect.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 10, 2025, 2:46 am

Several good pitching efforts in the minors yesterday, highlighted by recently promoted Mendez at Ft. Wayne; he threw 5 shutout innings giving up only 3 hits and had 7 K's but more importantly this was the second consecutive game where he did not walk anyone.  Jagger Haynes had another good game for SA but got no run support (not a surprise for a team that has been no-hit twice this year); gave up 1 unearned run, K'ing 6 and walking 2.  Finally, there was a pulse from Kyle Hart in El Paso, who did much better than his stats indicated.  His walks were down and he didn't give up any HRs while also picking off 2 runners from 1st base.  He threw only 55% strikes so probably needs to stay down a little longer.  Reiss Knehr continues to dazzle in relief and could earn another chance at the majors; don't know if Reynolds is ready to provide quality innings for the Padre after tonight's debacle.