While the San Diego Padres might not have the quality of depth in the farm system that other MLB teams do, there are still several prospects to be excited about.
Those future Friars will be on display in the third annual Spring Breakout event, which features top minor-league players for each of the 30 teams squaring off for their respective franchises. The Padres will face the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Ariz., on March 21 at 6:05 p.m.
Rosters were announced on Thursday, with a preliminary 40-man pool of players. Game-day rosters will be due March 18, with anywhere from 23 to 27 players. The player pool is a new wrinkle this year due to some prospects playing in the World Baseball Classic, which runs through March 17.
Selected to the Padres’ 40-player pool were the top 16 prospects in the just-released MLB Pipeline rankings. With the state of the Friars’ system, most of these players are a couple of years away from potentially making their MLB debut.
Leading the way is left-handed starter Kruz Schoolcraft, an 18-year-old who was the 25th overall pick in the 2025 draft and ranked No. 1 in the Padres’ system by MLB Pipeline (No. 88 in baseball). Catcher Ethan Salas, the No. 1 international prospect in the 2023 class whose stock has slipped due to injuries, is still just 19 years old and is the team’s No. 2 prospect.
Right-hander Miguel Mendez, who is on the 40-man roster and made it to Double-A San Antonio in 2025, is the No. 3 prospect. Left-handed Kash Mayfield, a 2024 first-round draft choice, and right-handed starter Humberto Cruz, a 2024 international signing, are also pitchers to watch as the Friars’ No. 4 and 5 prospects.
No. 6 prospect Bradgley Rodriguez is in the mix to be on the Opening Day roster after being on the postseason roster last year.
Here is the full 40-player pool with MLB Pipeline ranking:
Pitchers (21)
Bryan Balzer, RHP, No. 29
Manuel Castro, RHP, NR
Humberto Cruz, RHP, No. 5
Jaxon Dalena, RHP, No. 30
Clay Edmondson, RHP, NR
Harry Gustin, LHP, NR
Luis Gutierrez, LHP, No. 20
Garrett Hawkins, RHP, No. 14
Jagger Haynes, LHP, No. 15
Kannon Kemp, RHP, No. 19
Josh Mallitz, RHP, NR
Kash Mayfield, LHP, No. 4
Miguel Mendez, RHP, No. 3
Johan Moreno, RHP, NR
Tucker Musgrove, RHP, No. 11
Kleiber Olmedo, RHP, NR
Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP, No. 6
Michael Salina, RHP, No. 13
Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, No. 1
Lan-Hong Su, RHP, No. 18
Jeferson Villabona, RHP, NR
Catchers (5)
Infielders (9)
Marcos Castañon, 2B, NR
Jhoan De La Cruz, SS-2B, No. 23
Kale Fountain, 1B-3B, No. 10
Dylan Grego, SS, NR
Ryan Jackson, SS, NR
Jorge Quintana, SS-3B, No. 7
Romeo Sanabria, 1B, No. 28
Jose Verdugo, SS, NR
Rosman Verdugo, SS, NR
Outfielders (5)
Braedon Karpathios, OF, No. 12
Alex McCoy, OF, No. 21
Kavares Tears, OF, No. 27
Kasen Wells, OF, NR
Ryan Wideman, OF, No. 9
Interested in learning more about the San Diego Padres’ top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!
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