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#3671 · July 27, 2026, 2:22 pm
Hopefully the work the Padres have done on his hitting approach proves effective as he progresses to AA next season. If he doesn't totally crash ... he has a ML floor (at least a 4th OF) with that speed and defense ... RHH Travis Jankowski? If the hitting continues to develop ... 2028 or 2029 starting LF (can't think of anyone else in the system for 2028).
My guess is IF Preller uses him in a trade as the piece that seals the deal ... it will only be in a trade that returns a significant player with control. Preller keeps saying he looks at now and the 3 and 5 year plans in structuring deals ... and there is a clear need for a young speedy OF in that window. Of course we don't know how Preller views the upside of Wideman ... and he is usually a better judge.
#3672 · July 29, 2026, 8:45 am
Salas promoted to EP.
#3674 · July 29, 2026, 9:39 pm
Had a great first game with a HR shy of the cycle. Unfortunately, Padres lost in the high altitude venue. Probably continue to see inflated numbers for awhile.
#3675 · July 30, 2026, 1:01 am
One report said the Padres were planing on promoting him to EP earlier but the injury delayed that move. Good for his fast track development by getting about 6 weeks in AAA in 2026 catching in different environments and a different set of pitchers.
Padres don't have to put him on the 40 man this winter .... so, as I understand it, during the lockout he can play in EP in 2027 (if on the 40 man can't). If he impresses ... possible that frees up either Campusano or Fermin as a trade chip as soon as the lockout ends and we see Salas as a Padre late 2027.
#3676 · July 30, 2026, 7:33 am
Padres Gold team in the DSL has been struggling lately mostly on the mound but also some inconsistency with their hitters. They are still going for the first team to reach 30 wins (they were the first to win 20) and hold a 1.5 game lead over the Tampa Bay team. Season ends 8/18, so need to break out of their .500 slump the past 10 games.
Besides Joniel Hernandez, the guy I like on this team is Dayquer Alfonzo not only because of his unique name (pronounced day care) but has decent bat to ball skills even though K rate is a little high. 3rd year in DSL and will have played most of the year at only 18 years of age. If power continues to develop, could be a prospect at 1b or a corner OF slot - started as a catcher, but won't be able to play that position as he moves up. Looking forward to seeing him and Hernandez in the ACL next year if both are still in the organization.
#3677 · July 30, 2026, 8:13 am
Technical question ... Padres just added all the draft picks / FA to the ACL roster. IF there at this point a limit of players under minor league contract ... have the Padres released a ton of ACL bodies?
#3678 · July 30, 2026, 9:13 am
I haven't seen the Padres or any other team release a ton of players from their minors after assigning and activating draft picks and free agents in the ACL or FCL. Could be an exception from the 160 player in-season rule because those seasons are over but I don't have a reference to cite my assumption.
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fenn68
#3679 · July 30, 2026, 12:03 pm
Quote from Randy Manese on July 30, 2026, 9:13 amI haven't seen the Padres or any other team release a ton of players from their minors after assigning and activating draft picks and free agents in the ACL or FCL. Could be an exception from the 160 player in-season rule because those seasons are over but I don't have a reference to cite my assumption.
This may be the reason:
A player who signs a Minor League contract following the player’s selection at the First-Year Player Draft shall be excluded from the Minor League player limits of the signing Major League Club until the day following the conclusion of the current year’s Major League season or when the player has appeared in a game, whichever occurs first.
So, after the Padres season there will be some releases to cover all these draftees/FA signs ... note that the 165 limit move to 175 over the winter.
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Randy Manese
#3680 · July 30, 2026, 12:21 pm
As usual, a huge number of minor league players will be free agents throughout the system after the Padres season ends so should not be a problem to cover the draftees and the undrafted free agents who will supplant others in the system.