Quote from fenn68 on January 13, 2026, 11:18 am

Padres signed two "filler" minor league player:

3B Luis Verdugo (25) ... has not hit at any level in the minors

INF Carson Tucker (23) ... he may be the poster child for a draft pick failure. He is the brother of MLer Cole Tucker and was Cleveland's #1 (28th overall) pick in the 2020 draft. NEVER hit (sub-200 in low minors) and released after 2023 ... indy ball last season. Not even a elite defender ... in his limited time he split 2B/3B and a little SS. How could the scouts been that off?

Quote from brent wolff on February 3, 2026, 9:17 pm

Here is Keith Law's (of The Athletic) Padres Top 20 Prospects:

1. Ethan Salas LHH C (#70 out of Law's Top 100 -- only Padre Prospect in his Top 100)

2. Kruz Schoolcraft LHSP

3. Kash Mayfield LHSP

4. Miguel Mendez RHSP

5. Humberto Cruz RHSP (recovering from TJ Surgery/unlikely to pitch in 2026)

6. Jorge Quintana SH SS (acquired from the Brew Crew at the trade deadline last season)

7. Ty Harvey RHH C

8. Garrett Hawkins RHRP

9. Lan-Hong Su RHSP

10. Tucker Musgrove RHRP

11. Ryan Wideman RHH OF

12. Bradgley Rodriguez RHRP

13. Deivid Coronil SH SS

14. Jhoan De La Cruz SH 2B

15. Lamar King RHH C/1B

16. Truitt Madonna RHH C/1B

17. Kannon Kemp RHSP

18. Bryan Balzer RHP

19. Jagger Haynes LHP

20. Michael Salina RHRP

Interesting that Law did not include Kale Fountain in his Top 20.  Go Pads!

Quote from brent wolff on February 3, 2026, 9:34 pm

Here is Baseball America's Top 10 Padres Prospects:

1. Ethan Salas LHH C

2. Kruz Schoolcraft LHSP

3. Kash Mayfield LHSP

4. Miguel Mendez RHSP

5. Jorge Quintana SH SS

6. Humberto Cruz RHSP

7. Ty Harvey RHH C

8. Ryan Wideman RHH OF

9. Bradgley Rodriguez RHRP

10. Kale Fountain RHH 1B/3B

Quote from brent wolff on February 3, 2026, 10:02 pm

Here are MLB.com Top 30 Padres Prospect:

1. Ethan Salas LHH C

2. Kruz Schoolcraft LHSP

3. Humberto Cruz RHSP

4. Kash Mayfield LHSP

5. Miguel Mendez RHSP

6. Bradgley Rodriguez RHRP

7. Jorge Quintana SH SS

8. Kale Fountain RHH 1B/3B

9. Deivid Cononil SH SS

10. Jagger Haynes LHP

11. Tirso Ornelas LHH OF

12. Ty Harvey RHH C

13. Ryan Wideman RHH OF

14. Lamar King RHH 1B/C

15. Lan-Hong Su RHSP

16. Bryan Balzer RHP

17. Jhoan De La Cruz SH 2B

18. Kavares Tears LHH OF

19. Garrett Hawkins RHRP

20. Francis Pena RHRP

21. Romeo Sanabria LHH 1B

22. Michael Salina RHRP

23. Eric Yost RHSP

24. Tucker Musgrove RHRP

25. Rosman Verdugo RHH 3B/2B

26. Truitt Madonna RHH C/1B

27. Isaiah Lowe RHSP

28. Victor Lizarraga RHSP

29. Kannon Kemp RHSP

30. Braedon Karpathios LHH OF

Quote from WindsorUK on February 5, 2026, 10:07 am

Okay, can somebody fill me in on Kale Fountain? Is he another Josh Mears or is he an actual, legitimate prospect?

He appears to have all the right attributes to be the slugging 1st baseman we haven't had since AGon left. Granted, his bio doesn't paint a pretty defensive picture but give him 4-5 years in the minors, is it reasonable to expect he can anchor 1st base for a decade?

Quote from WindsorUK on February 5, 2026, 10:08 am

Was Derek Lee the last 1st baseman the Padres drafted that became a legit MLB'er?

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2026, 11:07 am

Quote from WindsorUK on February 5, 2026, 10:07 am

Okay, can somebody fill me in on Kale Fountain? Is he another Josh Mears or is he an actual, legitimate prospect?

He appears to have all the right attributes to be the slugging 1st baseman we haven't had since AGon left. Granted, his bio doesn't paint a pretty defensive picture but give him 4-5 years in the minors, is it reasonable to expect he can anchor 1st base for a decade?

At this point I will call him a prospect with flaws ... but only 20 and due to injuries very limited game time in 2025 (65 games). His calling card is big power. Padres took him in the 5th round in 2024 but paid him 2nd round money ... so they seemed willing to gamble the overall game can develop enough to justify the bet on power. Looks at best a 1B/DH.

A better call should be after a full season in LE.

Quote from WindsorUK on February 5, 2026, 11:10 am

Cheers Fenn👍🏽

Quote from fenn68 on February 5, 2026, 11:19 am

A prospect to keep an eye on should be Jorge Quintana, 18 year old SS who should be in LE. Was a 2024 international signing by the Brewers for a decent $1.7MM.

Depends on the scouting reports but at 18 some not that impressive yet some seem to think he has real upside as he fills out. Had good results in the DSL and AZ Complex Rookie League. Probably 4-5 years out (age 21-22 arrival if all goes well).