Credit: Getty Images
After a busy morning (and hopefully enjoyable lunchtime break), A.J. Preller, Chris Kemp, and Co. look to continue to add to the Padres’ farm system via the draft.
Round 11. 340th Overall: C Truitt Madonna, Ballard HS (WA)
A promising catcher out of the Pacific Northwest, Truitt Madonna has seen his stock rise this season. His hit tool is one of the stronger ones out of the high school class this year, as he posted impressive exit velocities and launch angles with the MLB Draft League as well. Madonna has a plus hit tool at the plate, with good plate discipline and coverage complemented with a polished stroke.
His bat is his calling card, but that’s not to say he doesn’t have good defense. His defensive acumen is fairly strong, with above-average pop times on display in the showcase circuit. While the UCLA commit may be hard to sign, it is possible this is the kind of talent the Padres have been prepared to take late in the draft.
‘25 C Truitt Madonna (@BaseballBallard/@UCLABaseball) found barrel multiple times in the title game and finished 1-3.
Polished stroke with mature swing decisions. Has all the makings of an +avg catch and throw defender with impact in the bat@truittsmadonna | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/t7kS1kLFjw
— Prep Baseball Washington (@PrepBaseballWA) May 27, 2025
Credit: Lewis University Athletics
Round 12, 370th Overall: OF George Bilecki, Lewis University
A left-handed hitting outfielder out of Illinois, George Bilecki, was not generating too much attention before the draft. In three seasons of starting duty at Lewis University, Bilecki was a consistent performer in their lineup, hitting .315 with a .399 OBP and .650 slugging in 145 games. Bilecki has plenty of slug in his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame, as well as some speed.
He stole 18 bases in each of his last two collegiate seasons, only being caught five times in the last two seasons. Toolsy would be a good word to describe the Illinois native, who profiles as a bat-first center fielder with good defense.
Bilecki with a 3 run RBI to get the trains back in the lead #RollTrains pic.twitter.com/EVuznSKBd8
— Eau Claire Express (@ecexpress) June 1, 2024
Credit: Ball State Athletics
Round 13, 400th Overall: SS Dylan Grego, Ball State
A switch-hitting infielder out of Ball State, Dylan Grego brings an interesting profile to the farm. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 195 lbs, Grego parlayed a breakout junior season into being taken in the draft. Grego had his best collegiate season in 2025, hitting .376 with a .429 OBP and .624 OPS. The Missouri native also played a rock-solid shortstop, with an above-average range factor and arm.
He did commit to transfer to Arkansas, so it remains to be seen if he will sign, but if the bat’s breakout is real, he can be another slick-fielding middle infielder in a system that cranks them out like hotcakes.
A few open-side swings from Dylan Grego (SS, @BallStateBB). Switch-hitter slashing .373/.427/.632 with 12 doubles, 12 HR, and 10 SB after adding good weight to frame. Contact oriented hitter with 16.4% K rate. Leading the MAC in hits (75). pic.twitter.com/PBXXcFccOA
— Burke Granger (@burkegranger) May 6, 2025
UNC Asheville Athletics
Round 14, 430th Overall: RHP Clay Edmondson, UNC Asheville
How often does a submarine starter show up in the draft? Right-hander Clay Edmondson rode his unconventional low-slot delivery to an impressive campaign as a full-time starter. In 2025, Edmondson posted a 2.76 ERA in 14 starts and 81.2 innings. Edmondson struck out 87 while walking only 26. However, likely as a result of his submarine arm slot and arsenal with glove-side movement, he hit 21 batters in the season.
Edmondson did miss most of the 2024 season due to a season-ending injury after his first start, so it remains to be seen what sort of length he can provide at the professional level. His unorthodox delivery as a starter makes him an interesting prospect to keep an eye out for.
Back-to-back Ks for Edmondson as he tries to preserve Asheville’s one-run lead! #ALLinAVL #TTS pic.twitter.com/hggggm7qhs
— Asheville Baseball (@UNCAvlBaseball) February 24, 2023
Credit: Pitt Athletics
Round 15, 460th Overall: LHP Ryan Reed, Pittsburgh
Another tall left-handed pitcher, Ryan Reed, was a workhorse with the Pitt Panthers. Over 73.1 innings and 14 starts, Reed punched out 67 while walking 24. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Reed comes from yet another unconventional arm slot, dropping down and driving towards the plate. His delivery is oddly reminiscent to that of current Yankee pitcher Ryan Yarbrough.
Reed comes at batters with a fastball in the 89-91 mph range, and he pairs it with a changeup in the low-to-mid-80s with good glove-side run, as well as a sweeping slider in the low-80s. The role that Reed sticks in at the pro level is not yet known, but he could be an intriguing sixth-starter/long reliever at the MLB level with his release point and extension.
𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 📈
Ryan Reed, @Pitt_BASE
🔗 https://t.co/Sbj23Nsl2s pic.twitter.com/TUOysqoqnH
— ACC Baseball (@ACCBaseball) April 7, 2025
Credit: Getty Images
Round 16, 490th Overall: OF Cardell Thibodeaux, Southern University
One of the MLB Draft League’s biggest breakouts, Thibodeaux showcased plus-plus power in his lone season at Southern, posting a .423/.545/.654 slash line with a 1.199 OPS in 49 games. The left-handed hitting outfielder clubbed 18 homers, drove in 71 runs, and stole 24 bases in 33 attempts. It was his first real full-time starting gig, and he made the most of the opportunity.
As another fourth-year player, Thibodeaux could jump right into the pro ranks, likely suited for left field due to his experience there at Southern.
OF Cardell Thibodeaux evens things up in Frederick with a 🚀 over the RCF wall, the first HR of the year for @mvscrappers.
Thibodeaux now leads the league with an OPS of 1.350.@mlbdraftleague | @CardellThibode2 pic.twitter.com/fi62O8bW6O
— MLB Draft League Data (@draftleaguedata) June 14, 2025
Credit: Illinois Baseball
Round 17, 520th Overall: RHP Tyler Schmitt, Illinois
After two years at Wisconsin-La Crosse, Schmitt transferred to the Fighting Illini, where he posted a 4.80 ERA in 80.2 innings. His strikeout and walk rates were subpar by MLB standards, as he struck out 58 while walking 45 in 15 starts. While it may not have been the platform season he may have wanted, there are some inspiring elements to his game.
Schmitt is a fastball-slider starter with a strong slider, averaging 85-87 mph. He also appears to have a changeup in the same realm as his slider in terms of velocity. The slider has tight movement, but a tendency to go flat when released too early. The fastball has dead-zone action, but when paired with the slider tunnels well and plays well in a sequence.
𝐓𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭 ➡️ 𝐍𝐨. 𝟓𝟐𝟎
The @VPMBaseball grad, Tyler Schmitt, K’d 145 batters in 134.1 IP in two years at UW-La Crosse before transferring to Illinois, where he started the team’s season-opener – 4.80 ERA in 80.2 IP.#MLBDraft25 | @prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/E7f5OktKzZ
— Prep Baseball Wisconsin (@PrepBaseballWI) July 14, 2025
Credit: Queens University
Round 18, 550th Overall: RHP Landry Jurecka, Queens University of Charlotte
Jurecka is an example of the type of talent that can be found at the SEC level. Coming from Queens University of Charlotte, the right-hander sits in the low-to-mid 90s with his fastball, with a slider in the low-80s and a fading changeup that plays well out of his low three-quarters slot. Jurecka has pitched in both relief and as a starter at the collegiate level, racking up 88 punchouts in 84 innings.
He keeps the ball close to his body throughout his wind-up, opening up with a somewhat lengthy arm action as he heads to the plate. His delivery is much like Padre farmhand Kevin Kopps, and entering the pros with a three-pitch mix, Jurecka could be another arm with room to grow regardless of his given role.
Landry Jurecka with his 11th strikeout of the day for Queens🔥
pic.twitter.com/IbFkr4wPLc
— Carolina Curveball (@CarolinaCurveBB) May 4, 2025
Credit: Vanderbilt University Baseball
Round 19, 580th Overall: SS Jonathan Vastine, Vanderbilt
In the words of motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson, “Speed and power”. Commodores shortstop Jonathan Vastine has both, as he hit 19 homers in his last two collegiate seasons. He also stole 21 bases, only caught six times. Vastine has speed and power at the plate that make him a threat to reach base regardless of how deep the lineup he is a part of is. He also has a strong approach at the plate, not afraid to take pitches where they’re pitched.
However, the big tool here is his glove. Vastine has been as sure-handed as they come at shortstop, with above-average range and smooth hands that allow him to make plays with ease. While he is on the smaller side for a shortstop at 5-foot-11, his defensive acumen and speed allow him to stick there as he makes his way through the minors.
JONATHAN VASTINE!!
Cardiac Commodores strike again! pic.twitter.com/hH15f7WlfN
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 17, 2025
Credit: Pitt Baseball
Round 20, 610th Overall: 1B Luke Cantrell, Pittsburgh
With their final pick, the Padres selected Luke Cantwell out of Pitt. The Panthers’ first baseman has an aggressive left-handed swing that allows him to generate pull-side power. His stance at the plate features a deep crouch that allows him to maximize the energy coming from his lower half.
His eye at the plate is at this point his strongest tool, as he posted OBP’s of .515 and .482 in his last two college seasons.
“That was the definition of a Gritsburgh win.”
Luke Cantwell launched a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth as @Pitt_BASE held off Louisville for a 13-11 win. More from the @ACCBaseball tournament ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/4c51CfBJSF
— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) May 21, 2025
And with that, that’s the Padres’ 2025 Draft class. The team will likely look to make additions on the undrafted free agent market, so stick around for those names when they come.
A born and raised San Diegan, Diego Garcia is a lifetime Padres fan and self-proclaimed baseball nerd. Diego wrote about baseball on his own site between 2021-22 before joining the East Village Times team in 2024. He also posts baseball content on his YouTube channel “Stat Nerd Baseball”, creating content around trades, hypotheticals, player analyses, the San Diego Padres, and MLB as a whole.
A 2024 graduate of San Diego State, Diego aims to grow as a writer and content creator in the baseball community.
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