Boston Bateman aka Sasquatch | Photo by Marison Bilagody/MLB Photos via Getty Images
El Paso Chihuahuas get going on Friday
The Padres major league season is around the corner. Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and their teammates play the first of 162 this Thursday. The following day the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres Triple-A affiliate, begin their season versus the Salt Lake Bees (Angels affiliate).
With outfielder Oscar Gonzalez, infielder Mason McCoy, infielder/outfielder Connor Joe, utility man Tyler Wade, catcher Luis Campusano and infielder Eguy Rosario not making the major league team, the Chihuahuas will have Joe, McCoy and Gonzalez added to their roster. Wade and Rosario must clear waivers for the Padres to retain them and Wade has enough service time to elect free agency. Outfielder Tirso Ornelas had already been optioned on Saturday. The team also designated catcher Brett Sullivan for assignment.
El Paso Chihuahuas
Stephen Kolek is expected to be one of the main starters in El Paso to begin the season after battling for a big league rotation spot. Other starters Omar Cruz, Ryan Bergert, Henry Baez and Wes Benjamin are all stretched out for the season. The bullpen features Tom Cosgrove, Eduarniel Nunez, Jose Espada and Harold Chirino.
Rehabbing starter Luis Patino has been assigned to the Triple-A team to complete his throwing program after Tommy John surgery. He should be ramping up early in the season.
Many of the players seen as later-inning replacements in spring games highlight the position player roster. Infielders Nico Goodrum, Mike Brosseau and Trenton Brooks join McCoy. Outfielders Forrest Wall, Jonathan Perlaza, Tim LoCastro will join Gonzalez with Connor Joe able to play first base and the corner outfield.
All are available for roster depth for the Padres season.
Single-A Lake Elsinore, High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio all begin their seasons the first week of April. Preliminary rosters are available with some notable players beginning their careers with the Arizona Complex League, the rookie-level development program for MLB. They will not be getting underway until May 3, staying with extended spring training until then.
Top prospects LHP Boston Bateman, LHP Kash Mayfield, IF Kale Fountain, IF Cobb Hightower and OF Kavares Tears all start with the ACL.
Lake Elsinore Storm
The Lake Elsinore Storm begin April 8 versus the Modesto Nuts (Mariners affiliate) with a roster that includes catcher Lamar King Jr, shortstop Leo De Vries, RHP Tyson Neighbors and outfielder Kai Roberts.
Fort Wayne Tin Caps
High-A Fort Wayne Tin Caps begin the year on April 4 versus the Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics affiliate). The early roster includes catcher Ethan Salas, infielder Rosman Verdugo, outfielder Tyler Robertson and LHP Jaggery Haynes.
San Antonio Missions
Double-A San Antonio Missions get started on April 4 versus the Amarillo Sod Poodles (Diamondbacks affiliate). RHP Victor Lizarrage, RHP Braden Nett and right handed reliever Bradgley Rodriguez join infielder Romeo Sanabria, outfielder Kai Murphy and catcher Anthony Vilar.
There are still players competing in Arizona that have not been assigned to teams as of yet but those assignments will come within the next week.
Two minor leaguers that are currently not listed but justify watching are RHP Bryan Balzar and RHP Sean Barnett.
Sean Barnett
Drafted in 2024 in the 11th round, Barnett is the only two-way player the Padres have expressed an interest in maintaining as a two-way performer. He had 50 AB with Lake Elsinore last season, hitting .280/.333/.753 as an outfielder. He hits for average and has power, hitting 26 homers his last year in college. Also a relief pitcher, he will be given the opportunity to do both. It is likely he will return to Low-A Lake Elsinore but is not currently on the roster
Bryan Balzar
Born in Japan from an American father, Balzar signed with the Padres as an international free agent in January of 2023. He does not turn 21 until October. Immediately after signing he required Tommy John surgery and is working his way back as a professional pitcher. Reports are that he has increased in bulk but possessed a high velocity fastball prior to adding size. He should begin in Low-A Lake Elsinore. He is said to be a big fan of Padres pitcher Yu Darvish and was seen with him this spring around the complex.
There will be weekly minor league updates as the season gets going, highlighting top players from each team.
Organizational depth is an important priority for the Padres. Promoting players from the minor leagues will be more important as time goes on. The Padres have multiple contracts that are escalating over the next few years and utilizing younger talent at a lower cost will be required very soon.
The projected roster cost for 2026, not including a left fielder, a first baseman or Michael King/Dylan Cease, will approach $184 million. Developing or trading for lower cost talent will be the only way to keep the Padres competitive window open going forward.
