Quote from Randy Manese on March 24, 2026, 8:47 am

After moving Fountain to the outfield, looks like Padres finally are doing what several of us suggested by moving King, Jr. to the OF too.  He has enough speed and fluidity to make it work and I believe it will make him a better hitter by not having to deal with all the responsibilities of being a catcher, including the physical toll of being behind the plate.    Should keep his legs fresh and unlock some of that power in that big frame of his.

Had to be impressed by Sanabria's resurgence as a prospect and the late ST work at the plate by Salas.  I like what I saw of Bowen and Fountain, but still have my doubts about Wideman's hit tool.  Looking forward to seeing how our injured pitchers bounce back and the development of others but looks like Lowe and Lizarraga are not ever going to make a major league roster.  Glad Marinaccio is going to have a chance to show what he can do and like Luis Gutierrez and Johan Moreno as sleepers.

Padres should be much more competitive in the upper minors this year but lot of the developmental work will be done at Lake Elsinore, so expect to make several trips up there this summer.  Should be a fun time watching our prospects grow!

Quote from fenn68 on March 26, 2026, 11:28 am

EP opens its season tomorrow. Although not announced, their website has an updated roster that fits the opening day limits. However some curious missing players (also not listed in SA).

Ornelas, Pena, Castro, Lizarraga, Acuna are nowhere to be found. In extended ST? injured? unlikely released.

Not a normal approach by the Padres if they are just getting extra reps in extended ST (at least not that many). Are they just trying to get some additional reads on the players they sent to EP? ... note that many are not really considered good prospects.

Just different than normal ... so interesting.

Quote from fenn68 on March 28, 2026, 3:06 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 26, 2026, 11:28 am

EP opens its season tomorrow. Although not announced, their website has an updated roster that fits the opening day limits. However some curious missing players (also not listed in SA).

Ornelas, Pena, Castro, Lizarraga, Acuna are nowhere to be found. In extended ST? injured? unlikely released.

Not a normal approach by the Padres if they are just getting extra reps in extended ST (at least not that many). Are they just trying to get some additional reads on the players they sent to EP? ... note that many are not really considered good prospects.

Just different than normal ... so interesting.

The updated SA opening day roster is out with Pena, Castro, Lizarraga, and Acuna on it ... still not Ornelas to be found (injured?).

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 29, 2026, 7:48 am

Pure speculation on my part, but I wonder if Ornelas found a job in Japan or Korea.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 29, 2026, 10:13 am

Ornelas is on the IL but could possibly head out to Japan or Korea as other OF on the EP roster outplayed him in ST.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2026, 10:06 am

Waldron looking solid but still only AAA.  Need to see what he does in a couple of more starts in El Paso vice the West Coast, however, seems to have a lot better command of all of his pitches.

Balzer probably had his best start ever for Lake Elsinore last night.  Always had the tools but little idea of how to control the strike zone.  Encouraging walk to K ratio.

Hope I get to see Mayfield in his Ft. Wayne debut tonight on MILB.com streaming.  Should see if his velocity, which is only in the mid-90's, holds up against better competition, and whether he truly has developed a 3rd pitch that could be a difference maker in his rise as a SP in the system.

Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2026, 5:55 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2026, 10:06 am

Waldron looking solid but still only AAA.  Need to see what he does in a couple of more starts in El Paso vice the West Coast, however, seems to have a lot better command of all of his pitches.

Balzer probably had his best start ever for Lake Elsinore last night.  Always had the tools but little idea of how to control the strike zone.  Encouraging walk to K ratio.

Hope I get to see Mayfield in his Ft. Wayne debut tonight on MILB.com streaming.  Should see if his velocity, which is only in the mid-90's, holds up against better competition, and whether he truly has developed a 3rd pitch that could be a difference maker in his rise as a SP in the system.

Balzer is only 21 (all season) ... and considering he was a hidden discovery out of Japan ... development arc is likely different than a US high school guy. On the top 30 list purely on the "stuff" and without much US success. Sort of a good sign by the scouts.

Mayfield had a good start today ... 3 innings - no hits - no runs BUT that does not reflect a command issue with only 26K in 51 pitches (4 BB).

On Waldron (out of options), they do have the luxury of keeping him on the rehab for 30 days ... so more starts to see if his early success holds while giving Marquez / Buehler a few more starts to see if they can lock down a ML slot. Likely a moving target date depending on how everyone performs ... one will be dropped from the roster (and probably out of the organization) ... baring a phantom oblique injury. Reports are that Canning is about to have a rehab appearance but maybe more a late April / early May option.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2026, 9:29 pm

Jase Bowen just hit for the cycle for El Paso and Miranda hit a grand slam in the same game.  Also, Song had 3 hits.  Schoolcraft had a very tough 2026 debut - just couldn't find the plate.  El Paso reports Canning in a rehab start today.