Quote from Randy Manese on May 16, 2025, 4:51 pm

Transaction reversed - Valenzuela now back on San Antonio roster.  Odd that it was misreported by the teams.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 16, 2025, 8:10 pm

Randy what can you tell us about Ryan Jackson?

I love that he has more BB’s than K’s.

Have you seen him play?

How’s his defense?

Is he our new David Eckstein or is he too tall?

🤣

Quote from fenn68 on May 17, 2025, 7:11 am

After yesterday's confusion on Valenzuela ... he went out in SA and hit 5 for 5 raising his BA over .300. He has been red hot in May.

Since he is considered a good defensive catcher (Shildt likes that profile) ... his renewed hitting looks to vault him into a 40 man roster slot this winter. Now don't expect him to be a major bat at the ML level (but few catchers are major bats) ... he just has to be serviceable as a hitter to make the ML roster in 2026.

Diaz (mutual option) and Maldonado both could be gone (and they are not big bats) then Campusano whose lack of defense is an issue to gaining traction with the Padres ... but he will be out of options in 2026.

A lot still can happen but odds of Valenzuela being a Padres (maybe as the #2 catcher) have increased ... plus his presence may just make a trade of Campusano more likely.

Quote from fenn68 on May 17, 2025, 12:55 pm

Deja Vu all over again?

Two years ago the Padres had Romeo Sanabria (LHH 1B out of a JC and the previous years' 18th round pick). He was killing the ball in AZ (50 games ... 167 AB ... 359 BA / 1.060 OPS). Padres waited a long time until they promoted him to LE for the last 16 games. Jump two years and he is a top hitter with SA in AA.

This year the Padres have Victor Figueroa (LHH 1B out of a JC and the previous years' 18th round pick). He is killing the ball in AZ (11 games ... 38 AB ... 605 BA / 1.992 OPS). Same age (21) as Sanabria was in 2023.

How long will the Padres wait until he gets bumped up to LE? Could be a short run hot streak or could be as good as Sanabria ... or better.

18th round picks are real long shots but maybe 1B/DH types from JC don't get the draft love they warrant and can have their bats carry them well up the ladder and maybe ... just maybe ... a future Padre DH? Always root for the long shots.

 

Quote from Randy Manese on May 17, 2025, 4:06 pm

The thing about Figueroa is that he also can run!  For someone that is 6:05 and at least 240 pounds to have 3 triples and 2 SB at the early stage in the ACL is amazing.  Clearly, he is too good for the league and needs to be challenged at Lake Elsinore as soon as possible.  Moreover, he's only struck out 15.9% of his 44 plate appearances while drawing walks at 13.6% rate.  Let's see what he can do - move him to LE and I will be up there to see him!

Quote from Stergios on May 18, 2025, 9:29 am

Thanks for the reports, gents!

Are Sanabria, Rosman Verdugo and Brandon Valenzuela legitimate prospects in your eyes?

Quote from Randy Manese on May 18, 2025, 9:30 am

A couple of tough losses in the minors yesterday due to unlucky circumstances.  Isaiah Lowe was cruising along until there were three straight bloop hits to CF that must have had exit velocity in the low 70's; this was aggravated by misplays by the TinCaps CF.  Lowe has legitimately struggled with control this year but he didn't deserve to lose in the way he did yesterday.

In Las Vegas, the Chihuahuas loaded the bases in the top  of the ninth w out and Campusano coming up; he already had 2 hits in the game.  The Aviator RP was throwing 98-100 FBs and Campusano scorched one just to the left of 2nd base - it must have been hit at over 110 mph.  Unfortunately, the shortstop reached up and snow coned the ball and stepped back on 2nd base to get the double play.  Just a couple inches more and the Chihuahuas would have tied it up and possibly won that game.  Campy is red hot - I can see him being recalled soon.

Quote from fenn68 on May 18, 2025, 11:11 am

Quote from Stergios on May 18, 2025, 9:29 am

Thanks for the reports, gents!

Are Sanabria, Rosman Verdugo and Brandon Valenzuela legitimate prospects in your eyes?

Depends on your standard of a legitimate prospect.

If it is "make the ML and be a bench / part-time player" ... good chance for Sanabria and Verdugo but not so sure about Verdugo.

If it is "become a ML starter ... somewhere" ... less convinced at this point but still a chance ... and given the shortage of catchers in MLB, Valenzuela will have an open door for at least a #2 catcher for some team. Salas may be the future but Diaz, Maldonado are short timers and we know Campusano's shortcomings. Tougher for Sanabria (with the Padres) if they re-sign Arraez and Sheets keeps hitting (has 3 years control) plus 1B/DH types are not in favor these days. Sanabria is really going have to hit to be a starter anywhere.

If it is "All-Star" ... not likely.

At least that is how I see it NOW.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 18, 2025, 12:39 pm

I generally agree with what Fenn says.  Of the 3, Valenzuela has the best chance to make it to the majors and have the chance to be a #2 catcher because of his defensive prowess.  Although hitting well this year, he doesn't have much pop in his bat with not much exit velocity or very many hard hit balls.  On the other end, a definite "no" on Verdugo.  While he is young and has shown improvement this year, still chases too many balls with a K rate of over 35% - that is not sustainable in the higher minors and certainly not at the major league level.  Has developing power but very little speed on the base paths and has no real defensive position - can't play shortstop, not nimble enough to play 2nd base and only adequate at 3b.  He probably tops out at AA but since he is still young, may make it to AAA.

Romeo Sanabria is tougher to judge because he has change his approach at the plate this year.  Much more aggressive, which has led to a much lower walk rate, but still has put the ball in play and struck out only 18.3% of the time.  He's going to have to put the ball in the air with more authority to be considered a "legitimate" prospect, in my opinion.  The fact that he still has a chance to do that gives him a shot at seeing the majors.  Sanabria is not a very good defensive 1st baseman, but if he hits, his offense will carry him.

There was a previous question regarding Ryan Jackson and what his potential may be.  Going into the 2024 draft, he showed good on base skills but little pop in his bat.  Also, he had limited speed and, although versatile, neither his range nor arm were considered elite.  He's done well at Lake Elsinore but you have to remember he is old (and a lot of college experience) for the league and should be expected to perform above the average 20-21 year old.  He's taken advantage of his on-base skills and may have even added some mature strength to get more velocity in his swing.  At this stage, looks like he can handle 2b and be an above average league performer there.  I'd want to see how he does at Hi A and AA before I get much more excited about him as being a legitimate prospect.