The San Diego Padres traded multiple players from their minor league system in order to fill in the holes that would likely prevent the major league team from being successful this season. After five separate trades and 13 minor league players shipped out, the Padres brought in six players to bolster the big club as well as two young players added to the minor league system.

When the dust settled, the Padres showed that their system was actually more valued than the evaluators thought. Multiple teams were willing to part with good big league players in exchange for the young talent the Padres drafted, signed and developed.

There were wholesale changes made to the minor league teams and multiple moves had to take place in order to balance the rosters for the remainder of the season. Some of the changes were promotions based on merit and others were needed to fill holes. There were also some debuts for some of the newly signed draft picks who are beginning their professional careers.

El Paso Chihuahuas (61-49 record, 2nd PCL East divison)

Outfielder Brandon Lockridge was traded as part of the deal to acquire starter Nestor Cortes, minor league shortstop Jorge Quintana and cash to cover most of Cortes’ salary. Reliever Eduarniel Nunez was part of the trade for RHP Mason Miller and LHP JP Sears. RHP Stephen Kolek was also dealt as part of the trade to acquire catcher Freddy Fermin.

The Chihuahuas received infielder Will Wagner, who came to the Padres in exchange for catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Ron Marinaccio was optioned back to El Paso during the addition of the new pitchers to the roster.

Infielder Ripken Reyes and LHP Jake Higginbotham were assigned to El Paso from San Antonio. Reliever Frances Pena was placed on the 7-day IL.

Wagner was on the Toronto Blue Jays major league roster when he was traded for Valenzuela. He was added to the 40-man roster of the Padres and has had a fast start with El Paso. In four games, Wagner is hitting .353 with a .892 OPS, he has a triple and 3 RBI.

Outfielder Trenton Brooks was designated for assignment after the deadline, he cleared waivers and opted to stay with the organization. Outfielder Forrest Wall opted out of his contract and became a free agent.

RHP Matt Waldron had his worst start this season with El Paso and his ERA is now 4.88. RHP Kyle Hart has been working as a starter and a reliever, he has a 4.08 ERA in his last 7 games. RHP Alek Jacob has a 15.95 ERA in his last 7 appearances. RHP Bryan Hoeing has a 3.38 ERA his last 7 games. All remain on the 40-man roster for depth.

After his first start with the Padres, LHP JP Sears was sent to El Paso to allow for Sean Reynolds to add length to the bullpen while awaiting the return of starter Michael King.

San Antonio Missions (55-50 record, 2nd in Texas league, South division)

The Missions lost catcher Brandon Valenzuela, starter Henry Baez, reliever Tyson Neighbors and starter Braden Nett from their roster. The pitchers were all part of the trade with the A’s for Mason Miller and JP Sears.

San Antonio received reliever Garrett Hawkins, RHP Miguel Mendez, RHP Eric Yost, catcher Oswaldo Linares and reliever Austin Krob from Fort Wayne. Mendez threw 6 innings in his first start, allowing one hit and no earned runs with 11 strikeouts. Hawkins has assumed the closer role with two appearances and two saves in 3 IP and no runs allowed. Yost threw 6.1 innings in his debut, allowed one run and two hits.

Outfielder Jake Snider was released from the organization. OF/DH Albert Fabian has seen success since arriving in San Antonio with a .306 average and .836 OPS with 2 home runs and 11 RBI in 21 games. 1B Romeo Sanabria leads the team with 10 HR and is 2nd with 46 RBI. OF Kai Roberts was placed on the 7-day IL.

The Padres acquired catcher Eli Wilson from the Pittsburgh Pirates and assigned him to San Antonio for catching depth.

LHP Jagger Haynes now leads the Missions with a 3-2 record and 3.93 ERA in 89.1 IP. Swing man Miguel Cienfuegos has thrown 22.1 innings since his promotion with a 1.13 ERA.

Fort Wayne TinCaps (50-54 record, 5th in Midwest league, East division)

Shortstop and top prospect Leodalis De Vries was dealt to the A’s as part of the package to acquire Miller and Sears. The TinCaps also lost infielder Brandon Butterworth. They received catcher Lamar King Jr, IF Chase Valentine, IF Zach Evans and OF Kasen Wells to fill the roster.

2025 19th round draft pick Jonathon Vastine was assigned to the TinCaps to begin his professional career. He plays shortstop and second base. IF Ryan Jackson has assumed the primary shortstop job with the loss of De Vries, but Vastine should get lots of opportunities.

OF Braedon Karpathios leads the team with 53 RBI and is tied for first with 12 HR. He also leads the team with a .799 OPS. OF Kaden Hollow was released from the organization.

The Padres signed free agent LHP CJ Widger and assigned him to Fort Wayne.

LHP Luis Gutierrez is the leading starter for the TinCaps with a 2-0 record and 3.55 ERA in 38 innings with 34 strikeouts and 13 walks. Reliever Harry Gustin has a 2.56 ERA in 45.2 IP and 3 saves. He will most likely assume the closer role with the promotion of Garrett Hawkins. Free agent signee Misael Tamarez was sent to Fort Wayne and has pitched 7.1 innings with a 1.23 ERA with 13 strikeouts and no walks.

Lake Elsinore Storm (48-57 record, 3rd in California league, South division)

LHP Boston Bateman, IF/OF Victor Figueroa, SS Cobb Hightower and reliever Tanner Smith were all part of the trade to acquire OF Ramon Laureano and 1B/DH Ryan O’Hearn.

The Storm were sent several draftees from the 2025 draft and some players were assigned from the ACL Padres. Shortstop Jorge Quintana had a brief stop in Arizona and then went to the Storm. He has had 6 AB and is hitting .333 with a 1.056 OPS. Catcher Yoiber Ocopio also joined the Storm from the ACL and is hitting .333 with a .885 OPS in 12 AB.

LHP Yovannki Pascual had a 7.91 ERA with the ACL Padres and is continuing his season with Lake Elsinore. Reliever Jordan Valenzuela finished with a 10.02 ERA with the ACL Padres and has two scoreless innings with Lake Elsinore.

2025 newcomers OF Cardell Thibodeaux, 3B Kerrington Cross, SS Dylan Grego, OF Ryan Wideman and RHP Winyer Chourio all joined the Storm to begin their professional careers.

Infielder Yimy Tovar continues to lead the Storm with a .409 average, he has 3 doubles and 2 RBI and a .980 OPS. Catcher/1B Carlos Rodriguez played well for the ACL and has continued with the Storm. He has 5 doubles, 2 triples, a HR and 11 RBI in 75 AB. He has a .280 average and .833 OPS.

LHP Kash Mayfield has a 3.25 ERA in 44.1 IP with 65 strikeouts and 23 walks. It seems the organization will continue to limit his innings throughout the rest of the season after the sore shoulder issue he had earlier in the year.

Reliever Tucker Musgrove was placed on the 7-day IL.

Multiple players were released from the organization with the addition of new players to the system and the promotions from the ACL. Most notable was IF Jose Sanabria and RHP Jose Reyes as well a reliever Adan Moreno.

Multiple good prospects remain, including some that can help the major league team next season. Much depth was lost with the trade deadline, but some still remains and it will take some time to see what the new players will bring to the organization.