Spring training, like any exhibition season for any pro league, is often a time for boundless optimism for MLB fans. Especially when that player competing for a bench spot puts up spectacular numbers in what is surely to be that long-awaited World Series run.

But I am here to tell you to pump the brakes, San Diego Padres fans. Most Cactus League games follow this format: starting position players play about three innings, then head home, not waiting for the final out. It is more about process than results for those assured of an Opening Day roster spot.

With that in mind, Padres Mission is going to do a twice-a-week check-in to see who is doing well and who isn’t.

Don’t take anything too seriously in this recap. It is only spring training, where exhibition games often devolve into minor-league scrimmages. The information below is intended as basic, not hardcore analysis.

This recaps the Friars’ first three exhibition games. The Padres went 1-2, losing to the Seattle Mariners 7-4, beating the Kansas City Royals 10-3, and falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1.

Who’s Hot? 🔥

Mason Miller: The closer, who is ramping up to represent the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic, threw 23 pitches Friday vs. the Mariners, 14 of which were strikes. But Miller lit up the radar gun, hitting or surpassing 100 mph nine times, topping out at 101.7 mph. He faced four batters in the fifth inning, including AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, who popped out to second on five pitches. Miller did give up a single to Lazaro Montes, who was pinch-hitting for Julio Rodriguez. Montes, MLB Pipeline’s No. 43 prospect, made it to Double-A last year.

Jose Miranda: In what figures to be an intense battle for bench spots, the non-roster invite struck an early blow. The corner infielder went 5-for-6 with six RBIs in games vs. the Mariners and Kansas City Royals, including a two-run homer. The homer came against Mariners right-hander Alex Hoppe, who posted a 4.76 ERA in 37 games at Triple-A. He went 3-for-3 with a walk and four RBIs against the Royals. Two of his plate appearances came against Royals right-handed starter prospect Ben Kudrna, who had four games at Triple-A in 2025.

Samad Taylor: Another possible piece of the bench puzzle, the non-roster invite played left field and center field against the Mariners and Royals, going 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. He also has infield experience. His damage came against minor-league pitchers.

Who’s Not? 🧊

Triston McKenzie: The right-hander, a non-roster candidate for the starting rotation, was rocked in two-thirds of an inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Replacing Randy Vasquez to start the third inning, he sandwiched walks to Michael Siani and Kyle Tucker around a flyout by Miguel Rojas. Will Smith then singled off McKenzie, who then struck out Ryan Ward. Nick Senzel followed with a two-run double, ending McKenzie’s day after 26 pitches, only 12 of which were strikes. McKenzie, who gave up four runs in his six-batter appearance, topped out his four-seamer at 98.7 mph, his second pitch of the day, and mostly sat around 96 mph.

Miguel Mendez: In a game in which the Friars gave up three runs to the Royals, the 23-year-old No. 5 Padres prospect was tagged for two of those in 1⅓ innings. Facing Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez to open the fourth inning, Mendez yielded a leadoff single to Witt, who was caught stealing by Freddy Fermin. Mendez then started the fifth by walking Kyle Isbel and yielding a double to Dairon Blanco. After notching his second strikeout, Mendez walked Josh Rojas to load the bases and was relieved by Alek Jacob, who hit and walked the next two batters.

Nick Castellanos and Luis Campusano: We will group these two together because they entered Cactus League play with a strong likelihood of making the Opening Day roster, but could easily be overtaken by poor springs. Castellanos’ journey to the Padres is well-documented, while Campusano has seemingly been in the team’s future plans for a few years. Both started this spring 0-for-4, nothing to be worried about, but offense is their strong suit. Castellanos did make a couple of nice plays at first base, a position he has never played before.

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