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#3361 · June 19, 2025, 2:22 pm
Quote from fenn68 on June 19, 2025, 10:58 amQuote from Jeremy Hill on June 19, 2025, 9:01 amQuote from fenn68 on June 19, 2025, 3:17 amQuote from fenn68 on June 17, 2025, 6:34 amQuote from WindsorUK on June 17, 2025, 5:46 amWho's catching at El Paso? And are there actually any prospects there? Or is it just full of AAAA guys?
I'm still waiting for Brandon Valenzuela to get a call to see if can improve upon what we have currently in SD.
And it would be cool to see Sanabria get a chance in SD next year.
Probably not even AAAA guys in EP ... pure AAA or less ... Duran and Roberts. I would expect Campusano regains the #1 C slot in AAA just for the long shot he can become serviceable insurance in case of jury to Diaz or Maldonado.
Expect Valenzuela to make his run during ST with a good shot of the ML roster to start the season. Probably premature to call up a AA catcher in the middle of a playoff run to "just see" how ready he is.
Also, would expect Sanabria to get a long ST look ... especially if they let Arraez go to FA. Best a DH but maybe 1B depending how they deploy Sheets (1B or LF or DH) and that may be dependent on how they address LF via trade / FA.
As it stands, Valenzuela and Sanabria are the only legit MiL prospects that can contend for a roster slot (position players) in 2026. Given the potential for a lot of open 26 man roster slots ... plus they are low cost long control ... it is up to them and "should" have an open path to the roster.
Sort of an update ... noticed that the Padres on their website's 40 man roster and on MiLB's player profile Campusano is listed as a DH not a catcher.
Does that suggest that the Padres have given up on Campusano as catcher?
If so (and not surprising), that opens the door widely for Valenzuela next season while adding some pressure to come up with ML catchers for 2026 this winter. Need two and a big risk relying on Valenzuela to be one just coming out to AA.
Add to that Campusano is out of minor league options in 2026 (so an issue even if they wanted him in AAA for emergency) and unless he makes the 26 man as the DH/1B I would expect some team to claim him off waivers for a look (he is cheap and controlled) since others may want to see the offensive upside.
Looks like he got the start at C yesterday. I wouldn't read too much into what he's listed as. I do think they should start to get him some more 1B/DH reps.
He needs to be playing C - 1B - DH - LF to generate some versatility (even if poor defensively) since calling card to the ML appears to be his bat based on his MiL history and even (before this year) his ML history.
Hate to put him in the same category but remember Schwarber was a poor defensive catcher but his bat got him ML work at LF - 1B - DH even if poor defensively in the field. If there is a chance ... try to develop it.
In 2026 Padres will need support in all those four line-up slots ... not much else in the system ... so like his potential or not they need to keep rolling Campusano out there.
I can't see Campy playing LF. He's amongst the slowest players in baseball. It doesn't even seem like they're particularly enthused about putting him at 1B, but since they don't seem to believe in him as a C it might be his only shot. Honestly I think they just need to pick a path for him and stick with it. Make him a C or make him a 1B/DH. I don't like how they're handling his development at the moment.
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WindsorUK
#3362 · June 20, 2025, 12:30 pm
I've always believed in Campy's bat since I first saw him in Lake Elsinore back in 2019. He's been so tentative at the plate in his call-ups and infrequent playing time, but looking at him in El Paso yesterday, you could see that powerful stroke was still there. Don't know what the Padres intentions are but Campy is a better bat than either Brooks or Bryce Johnson or current catchers Diaz and Maldonado.
Valenzuela can't be relied upon on the offensive side but could be a #2 for defensive purposes - he is a free agent if we don't roster him and could have elected free agency last year so I think this is the Padres last chance to retain him.
#3363 · June 20, 2025, 12:53 pm
If it were me I'd start Campy at DH against every LH starter for as long as AJ keeps him on the 26 man roster.
He needs to either hit himself into a permanent role or go away....I believe this would assure one or the other happens
But...it isn't me so
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Randy Manese
#3364 · June 20, 2025, 12:57 pm
There are a number of pitchers who are doing well in the minors as well as some that are more highly rated but just having a so-so year in 2025. Most will be Rule 5 eligible but some will be eligible for free agency. Here my alphabetical list of possible roster candidates to keep them in the Padres system vice expose them to Rule 5 or give the the opportunity to elect free agency.
SP (8) - Luis Gutierrez - FA; Jagger Haynes - Rule 5; Victor Lizarraga - Rule 5; Miguel Mendez - Rule 5; Braden Nett - Rule 5; Luis Patino - FA; Enmanuel Pinales - Rule 5; and William Varmette - Rule 5
RP (8) - Manuel Castro - Rule 5; Jose Espada - FA; Garrett Hawkins - Rule 5; Reiss Knehr - FA; Carter Loewen - Rule 5; Eduarniel Nunez - FA; Cole Paplham - Rule 5; and Francis Pena - Rule 5
Still about half a season to go in the minors, so it will be interesting to see how many of these 16 pitchers will become 40 man roster worthy by the end of 2025. My top 3 favorite SP's are Nett, Mendez and Gutierrez (edging out Haynes) while my top 3 RP's are Nunez, Espada and Hawkins (edging out Paplham).
#3365 · June 20, 2025, 2:00 pm
Well there is a chance of a lot of open 40 man slots with the expected FA and potential DFA of limited potential players. Could see some of that list being able to hit the ML in 2026 and that may allow the Padres to be a bit more aggressive with DFAs.
Hard to how the Padres view the upside of any of these combined with nearness to the ML for help ... and then "gamble" on whether some team will actually claim one (not that many claimed in reality) then whether if claimed a the claiming team would keep them for the full 2026 season or return them.
Wonder if a slight edge goes to players to be FA (all things being equal) since they can freely walk vs a Rule 5 who first has to get select then kept. Possible the Padres work out deals with the FA to be on minor league contracts for 2026 to skirt the add to the 40 man.
#3366 · June 20, 2025, 2:16 pm
Patino may become an interesting call ... working back from TJ and has looked good in SA with limited innings (so rest of the season key) but he is still young with a pedigree of a Top 100 prospect. Maybe the TJ made him better? An upside SP that may be a ML asset at some point in 2026 has to be considered along with Nett. Especially if the Padres let both King and Cease walk and with the unknown of Darvish and Musgrove.
#3367 · June 21, 2025, 3:46 am
LE "1B" Victor Figueroa is offensively looking great ... 10 HR in 32 games (A and rookie leagues) and a fine OPS BUT unless a major turnaround he working himself into a DH only. 8 errors in 31 games at 1B (not where you would expect that level of errors) plus 1 error in one game as a RF.
Besides hitting with power ... he has 3 SB so has some athletic skills. So, maybe some basis for improved defensive skills.
However if he turns into a David Oritz for the Padres ... really OK with DH only.
#3368 · June 21, 2025, 3:52 am
The draft is coming in mid-early July ... the ACL ends its season in late July.
Question ... expect some ACL players to get promoted to LE (e.g. Fountain) but with the ACL shut down do the remaining players plus the draft signees remain in AZ doing "workouts" or sent home in August? Some combo?
Would think ... at least for the signees ... getting one one one work with the Padres' coaching / development staff in 2025 will benefit them as they enter 2026.
#3369 · June 21, 2025, 9:19 am
Quote from fenn68 on June 21, 2025, 3:52 amThe draft is coming in mid-early July ... the ACL ends its season in late July.
Question ... expect some ACL players to get promoted to LE (e.g. Fountain) but with the ACL shut down do the remaining players plus the draft signees remain in AZ doing "workouts" or sent home in August? Some combo?
Would think ... at least for the signees ... getting one one one work with the Padres' coaching / development staff in 2025 will benefit them as they enter 2026.
They did an unofficial "Bridge League" last year not long after the draft. I think the complexes essentially stay open year round at this point.
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fenn68
#3370 · June 25, 2025, 7:16 pm
Do todays young players play too much?
It seems there's always a baseball league in season somewhere around the globe at any given time.
Olden day players rested in the offseason, one of the reasons sighted for their better health.