The San Diego Padres minor league affiliates completed their first half and took a break while the major league teams celebrated their All-Stars.

Starter Matt Waldron had another good outing in the last game for the Chihuahuas before the break. In 6 IP, Waldron allowed six hits but only two runs in 90 pitches. He has a 3.82 ERA with El Paso. Stephen Kolek started the second to the last game with 3 IP, allowing five hits and a run in 60 pitches. He was followed in the same game by Kyle Hart for 3.2 IP with three hits allowed and two runs in 45 pitches.

Outfielder Albert Fabian completed his rehab with the ACL Padres and was assigned to San Antonio. Starter Brandon Nett left his start with San Antonio in the third inning with an injury suffered while he was pitching.

Catcher/first baseman Kaden Hollow completed his rehab with Lake Elsinore and was assigned to Fort Wayne. Outfielder Kasen Wells was assigned to the ACL Padres for rehab following the foot injury he suffered in May.

Shortstop Leodalis De Vries missed the last couple games of the first half in order to represent the organization in the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta. He came in as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning and went 0 for 1 with a strikeout. He also played as the shortstop for the National team.

Scouting director chimes in on draft

Chris Kemp, Vice President of amateur and international scouting for the Padres, was the Friar Friday interview on July 18 with the 97.3 FM morning show (Ben & Woods). During the conversation, Kemp stated the Padres were surprised that first round selection Kruz Schoolcraft fell to them at #25. They viewed him as a top five prospect on their draft board. The 6’ – 8” lefty has a lot of projection to grow into while he matures (he is currently ranked the #3 prospect in the system per Jeff Saunders of the San Diego Union-Tribune in his post-draft rankings).

The third round pick, outfielder Ryan Wideman, is a plus runner and will probably stick in centerfield. The Padres considered him the best raw athlete in the draft. They saw him in the 50-60 range on their draft board and they were able to grab him at #99 (third round). His swing mechanics will need some work as he starts his pro career.

The organization opted to go heavy on senior and fifth year college players for much of the second day in order to save their bonus money for the two high school catchers they drafted in the fifth and eleventh rounds. Both Ty Harvey and Truitt Madonna are viewed as high upside athletes. Both are viewed by the organization as being first round picks if they opt to have college careers. They both have college commitments and the organization will need to use the money they saved on drafting older college players in order to sign both over their slot suggestions.

After the draft was completed the scouting group shifted into “21st round crew” mode and began calling the players not drafted during the 20 rounds. Kemp reported that they have already signed about 10 players from the undrafted ranks. It was also highlighted that both current bullpen arm David Morgan, and rapidly progressing starter Braden Nett came from the 2022 undrafted free agent class.

While discussing pitchers, Kemp pointed out that fourth round pick, Michael Salinas, underwent Tommy John surgery during his final season and will be doing the completion of his rehab with the organization after he signs. The Padres view him as a Jeremiah Estrada-type of reliever.

The minor league season has now resumed and the signing of the draft picks will begin. More evaluation of the new players will start after they have signed and some will begin playing in coming weeks as well as in the Fall League when the current season ends.