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#3441 · August 8, 2025, 6:01 pm
Quote from Jeremy Hill on August 7, 2025, 9:25 pmMiguel Mendez had a pretty impressive AA debut. 6 IP with 11 Ks. He only gave up 1 hit, but he did walk 4 batters and he committed a throwing error which led to 2 unearned runs. He seems to have a pretty electric fastball slider combo.
From today's DFR ...
After posting a 1.32 ERA, 28.6% strikeout rate, and 3.36 FIP in 61.1 innings at High-A, Miguel Mendez received a well-earned promotion to Double-A this week. Making what is often considered the biggest leap in the minors, it would’ve been understandable to see Mendez struggle in his first start for San Antonio. Instead, the 22-year-old turned in yet another dominant performance. The right-hander allowed just two unearned runs on one hit over six innings, walking four, while striking out a career-high 11 batters. Mendez’s fastball was once again electric, sitting 96-97 mph and topping out at 99. The shape of the four-seamer remains encouraging, getting anywhere between 17” and 19” inches of induced vertical break (iVB) on Thursday. Mendez continued to flash two different slider variations. The first sits between 83-85 mph at around 2500-2600 rpm with around -4.0” horizontal break and between five and six inches of iVB, a shape that has become known as a “death ball.” The other is a more traditional slider that sits 87-89 and gets between eight and nine inches of iVB. All told, Mendez drew 20 whiffs on 40 swings.
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#3442 · August 11, 2025, 7:44 am
Quote from MrPadre19 on August 6, 2025, 12:27 pmHawkins takes over from Neighbors as my favorite to be our Closer next year or by sometime in 2027
From today's DFR ...
Another appearance by Garrett Hawkins, another zero on the board. The righty allowed a walk in the ninth inning, but promptly got a double play to end the inning. Hawkins, whose scoreless innings streak is now up to 38 innings, last allowed a run on April 23 to Lansing in the Midwest League
#3443 · August 11, 2025, 8:51 am
Quote from LynchMob on August 11, 2025, 7:44 amQuote from MrPadre19 on August 6, 2025, 12:27 pmHawkins takes over from Neighbors as my favorite to be our Closer next year or by sometime in 2027
From today's DFR ...
Another appearance by Garrett Hawkins, another zero on the board. The righty allowed a walk in the ninth inning, but promptly got a double play to end the inning. Hawkins, whose scoreless innings streak is now up to 38 innings, last allowed a run on April 23 to Lansing in the Midwest League
Anyone have a good current scouting report on Hawkins? ML projection?
Not a big FB as I recall (low-mid 90s) but a deceptive over the top delivery for a big man. Anything different in 2025?
A 38 inning scoreless streak is amazing at any level and his command seems to be strong. Clearly a RP to dream on being a ML factor.
#3444 · August 11, 2025, 12:02 pm
93-95 After TJ surgery, he gained a slight uptick in average velocity to a now consistent 93-95 range with a ceiling of about 97-98. He has good tumble on his change-up, which is more effective now because of the bigger difference in velocity and his being able to repeat his delivery more consistently after TJ. Slider comes and goes but is just average; he does have good command and location with all his pitches and his over the top delivery seems to have batters misjudging the movement on his FB, giving it a little more explosiveness.
I like him better than Reynolds because he does not walk many batters and keeps the ball in the park. Not as good as Morgan or Bradgley Rodriguez (who is currently injured but hopefully not seriously) but has the potential to move past Hoeing in the bullpen candidate order; the latter may also be a candidate for the depth spot in the rotation. So we do have lots of RH RP to dream on; hopefully, Hawkins will finish the year strong in San Antonio.
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#3445 · August 11, 2025, 12:18 pm
The post draft update to the top 100 and team top 30s is out on MLB.com
Salas is all the way down to 86.
#3446 · August 11, 2025, 1:03 pm
Always find head scratchers in the Top 30 ... at least for me.
Not surprised Schoolcraft vaulted into the #2 spot. Never sure of their criteria for being a top prospect and ranking but at 25 years old and just mediocre in AAA ... Ornelas still is on the list at #11 and that seems high.
Five of the recent draftees and three of this year's international signings are on the list.
One surprise ... not for being on the list but coming in at #7 is Jorge Quintana the Rookie ball SS (now at LE) that the Padres got in the Cortes deal from MILW. I know he was a larger bonus signing but why did MILW trade him if he is that good a prospect, eat some Cortes salary just for Lockridge?
A lot of very young prospects.
#3447 · August 13, 2025, 8:01 pm
Tulsa took apart both Hawkins and Mendez the last two days so we'll see how they bounce back in their next turns on the hill - might have to wait until next week for Mendez.
#3448 · August 14, 2025, 2:34 am
Padres made an under the radar trade with TOR before the deadline ... Valenzuela (AA, C with plus defense but no hit) to get Will Wagner (AAA, 27, LHH 2B/3B). Now Wagner is not a big prospect for a ML starter role ... no power, no speed, weak arm, mediocre defense BUT what he does seem to have is a plus bat to ball skill and can hit some and get on base. Reported with a high baseball IQ and baseball rat personality. For the Padres in 2026 that might just be enough for him to be of value in a bench role.
Given all the pending FA departures and the Padres unlikely to resign most of them ... fitting in a bench player (league minimum ... long control) that might contribute to the offense may make this turn into a very good add by Preller.
With Arraez, O'Hearn, Iglesias FA from the INF ... and if Sheets takes the 1B role ... the INF bench is McCoy (all field no hit) making a clear pathway for Wagner. If he can hit at all, a spot starter to rest Machado or Cronenworth or Sheets looks to be in his future. Someone to watch for the remainder of the EP season and in ST.
Side: After watching Iglesias and listening to his interviews ... he may be a player that the Padres try to re-sign ... 35 and "only" making $3MM but is really contributing to the Padres winning filling a big need as reserve INF now and 2026 that need continues. INF bench of Iglesias (R) and Wagner (L)? Depending on other moves ... maybe some DH value?
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#3449 · August 14, 2025, 7:48 am
Campusano smashed two HR's yesterday while playing a decent catcher; he even turned around and batted left-handed against the position player Reno put in and got a bloop single! Reportedly had a great attitude when sent down the last time, saying words to the effect "Let's get to work" to try to improve himself in all facets of the game. With Fermin scheduled to play at least 2/3's of the time both now and for the foreseeable future, I think Campy still has a place on the Padres team. Shildt just has to give him some love and let him play behind the plate besides being the back-up 1b man and DH. Out of options and a low cost alternative, so fits the 2026 profile. He might be the position player the Padres bring up to fill out the 28 man roster on 1 September. Despite his stats this year, consider him more of a threat off the bench as a PH than Diaz and would allow the Padres to PH for Diaz with a lefty bat like Sheets and still have an emergency catcher. I would favor bringing him up over McCoy or Ornelas.
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#3450 · August 14, 2025, 7:56 am
While it is likely that none of the pending Free agents or Option players (player or mutual) will want to leave this current team, it is usually cold hard cash that forces the decision over personal circumstances. I think if we make a competitive offer to King (23-25M per year for 4-5 years), he will re-sign with us. Agree that this point in his career, Iglesias may well settle for his current role at around the same 3M salary. Don't see us getting others back on the roster unless ownership opens up the pursestrings or we trade someone like Cronenworth and/or Adam. However, both those guys will be integral parts of the 2026 team, so see that happening as unlikely. Preller will troll both the majors and minors to find his usual under the radar guys and hopefully re-stock both the minor leagues and fill in some of the gaps we'll have after the 2025 season (which could be epic!!!).
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