Quote from MrPadre19 on August 15, 2026, 4:41 am

What the heck happened to Garrett Hawkins?

Seriously thought he would be a high leverage reliever for us next year?

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 15, 2026, 6:27 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 15, 2026, 4:41 am

What the heck happened to Garrett Hawkins?

Seriously thought he would be a high leverage reliever for us next year?

 

It appears his control / command regressed ... exposing he is basically a one plus pitch pitcher (mid-90s FB) and at the upper levels hitters can handle that. Really last year he was dominant in A+ and although he was successful in his short spell in AA you can see his command was going away.

Don't really know how much of that command problem is due to trying to emphasize use of a second pitch ... needs that to keep hitters from sitting on the FB.

Dropped to #30 on the Top 30 list ... suggesting last year in FW was a false positive on potential upside.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 15, 2026, 8:09 am

Hawkins' slider and change-up were always borderline average and he needed to have his FB very sharp to have success in small doses.  This year he is getting pummeled by LH batters, but still has had success against RH hitters.  If Padres need room on 40 man roster, won't be surprised to see him DFA'd because of age and prior injuries.

The guy with the super stuff is Tucker Musgrove, who has a K rate better than Mason Miller!  Unfortunately, his command is not as good but it has been better lately.  Likely one of a few minor league pitchers in the entire organization who will be protected from Rule 5 draft.  Others may be Yost and Gutierrez.

Quote from fenn68 on August 15, 2026, 10:29 am

Since you mentioned Rule 5 (a procedure I would just abolish) ... there was a report that the ML owners want to move this year's process to November to get it done before this CBA ends.

No idea the teams' 2026 approach with a looming lockout. Will teams want to protect more to ensure they have bodies when the lockout ends or protect less fringe types that may not get selected and could keep developing in the minors during the lockout. Don't know if there is a financial element of having a player on the 40 man during a lockout.

With the pending Padre FA ... and the unlikely scenario where they sign a ton of FA to the 40 man ... Padres should have a lot of vacancies on the 40 man to cover the few prospects that are eligible for Rule 5 and perceived to be good enough to be selected by another team. They actually have some minor leaguers on the 40 man that could be released if needed without a problem (McCoy, Wagner, Hunt, Duran) so Preller will have the room in Nov to maybe over-add for protection.

Musgrove seems a lock but could see some upside arms like Haynes, Pena, Gutierrez, etc just to ensure some bodies for 2027. Just don't see any position players unless they have the freedom and long shot Cunningham as OF insurance ... he has had a surprisingly good 2026 (except for strikeouts) moving from A+ to AA after being signed as a MiL FA (release by BALT). Still young. On the other hand, maybe other than Musgrove Preller does not see anyone compelling enough to protect and does not think they would get selected (and kept) via Rule 5 ... so instead keeps the 40 man clean.

Actually, more likely he selects someone in Rule 5 given the 40 man space for at least a look during ST. If anyone is available as a position player (INF or OF) that could provide defense / speed with even a little offense might be worth a look.

Quote from fenn68 on August 15, 2026, 10:40 am

The Padres have signed right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. to a minor league deal, as reported by Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo Sports. Honeywell last pitched in the majors in 2024. He’ll presumably report to Triple-A El Paso and try to work his way onto the big league roster down the stretch run.

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Yes, the same guy the Padres had for a short spell in 2023. Actually has not pitched anywhere since 2024 as far as I know. Still only about 31.

The must be some strategy surrounding Preller's recent signing of veteran RP for AAA ... just hard to see unless he really wants veteran insurance (and choices) in case of injuries down the stretch. Before Honeywell they signed JP France, Hans Crouse.

Maybe Preller is getting some commitment from them to sign minor league deals for 2027?

 

Quote from Randy Manese on August 20, 2026, 9:26 am

DSL playoffs start today with the DSL Gold Padres in the hunt for a second consecutive cup win.  After clinching the most wins by any team in the DSL regular season, 40, team slumped over the last few games and didn't score many runs that led to several close defeats.  Going with their best pitcher today, LHP Carlos Alvarez, who had an amazing year and got better and better as the season wore on - expect him to be in the ACL next season.

By the way, the Padres other team in the DSL, the Padres Brown, had a terrible year finishing dead last in team OPS and WHIP.  I'd be very surprised if even half of that 33 man roster returns for another season, in particular the pitchers, who as a group were absolutely awful.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 20, 2026, 12:15 pm

Gold team crushed the Angels team 14-1, helped by 7 errors committed by the other team.  Into next round of pool play tomorrow against team that lost today 6-0, so if they can win that one, should be in good shape for the last round of pool play on Saturday before the semi-finals start on Monday, 24 August.

My favorite player (after Joniel Hernandez was traded) Dayquer Alfonzo had 2 doubles and drove in 3 runs.  My next favorite hitter, Sebastian Nadales, had a HR and a double driving in 2 runs.  Alfonzo was at catcher, not sure he can stay there, and had a passed ball and a throwing error; however, he did throw out a runner.

Carlos Alvarez pitched 1 hit ball over 4 innings, striking out 5 and walking 2.  He did give up an unearned run because of Alfonzo's error.  Pitching will be the key in the next 2 games - Gold not as strong in this department as they were last year.

Quote from fenn68 on August 20, 2026, 2:07 pm

Padres drafted Elliot Lascalles, 18, LHH SS, HS,  in the 2nd round. Rated a plus hitter, runner.

Usually Padres don't put a HS player in full season ball the year drafted ... BUT Padres just sent Lascalles to LE a couple of days ago.

He goes 4 for 7, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB in two games. Nice debut ...

LFer in 2029?

Quote from Randy Manese on August 20, 2026, 3:35 pm

I'd like to see him in person before I move him off of shortstop.  If shows good bat to ball skills, could move up quickly past Quintana although Quintana may have the edge defensively.  Lascelles is only 10 months younger than Quintana so it will be interesting to see who develops first into the better prospect.