Versatile glove-first Padres '25 draftee focusing on strides at the dish this fall

PEORIA, Ariz. -– Unable to bear watching the 2025 Draft, Justin DeCriscio went upstairs in his Southern California home to flip through his phone, catch something else on TV, basically anything that would help distract him while parents John and Jill watched broadcast downstairs.

DeCriscio had been through it the year before after his junior season at the University of San Diego didn't have his name called. Later that month, he committed to transfer to NC State, hoping one more spring (and a jump in program and conference prestige) would help him level up in the eyes of pro scouts.

“There were some talks, nothing too serious, and then obviously on the Draft Day, no official calls or anything,” DeCriscio recalled. “So I think that honestly just put a chip on my shoulder to go to NC State and prove people wrong and prove that I can be where I am.”

The Padres, who’d been in touch along with around 10 other teams in the days leading up to the 2025 Draft, ended up calling DeCriscio’s name in the 10th round last year and signed him for $15,000 (a typical amount for a college senior sign, of which the Padres made five straight picks from Rounds 6-10 last year). He had hit .289/.383/.500 with eight homers and a 22/23 K/BB ratio over 52 games with the Wolfpack, but it was the fact that he started 51 of those at short that caught San Diego’s attention.

“Overall, [they liked] just the way I play, being a defense-first guy,” DeCriscio said, “and then kind of see what comes with the bat.”

To the 23-year-old’s point about “where I am,” that’s currently the Arizona Fall League, where he is suiting up for Peoria -- the fourth team of his first full season after climbing through Single-A Lake Elsinore, High-A Peoria and Double-A San Antonio over the summer. It’s a notable assignment for a player who played in 121 games and already had 541 plate appearances in 2026, but it’s also a recognition of the place DeCriscio is carving out in the San Diego system.

“They just told me it's an honor and I should be happy to come here and keep playing ball and just doing what I do,” he said. “I'm excited to be here, and it's been amazing.”

The right-handed hitter put up relatively solid offensive numbers across all three levels this season, finishing with a .270/.358/.425 line with 13 homers, 22 steals and a 106 wRC+. While his profile is hit-over-power, he was one of only three Padres prospects with at least 13 homers and 13 steals in 2026, along with fellow 2025 senior sign Kerrington Cross (18 HRs, 21 SBs) and current Peoria teammate Alex McCoy (19 HRs, 24 SBs).

But perhaps most notable about DeCriscio’s year was that he played five different positions along the way, focusing mostly on shortstop, second base and third but mixing in the corner outfield spots for 10 combined starts. He became more of a priority shortstop after his Fort Wayne debut on May 12, but it’s become clear that he has the athleticism the Friars want to try out all over to find any route forward.

“I've always been a shortstop growing up,” DeCriscio said. “That's where I spent most of my time, so I'd say I'm most comfortable there. But now with shifts and everything, you have to get comfortable playing everywhere on the diamond, and this year I even got some outfield time. I think that's just a big thing for me and for the Padres to show that I can go out there and pick it no matter where I am and go make plays for my pitcher.

“I don't care if it's at short or even if it's behind the dish or something. ... I'll be there, and I'll work my [butt] off to make plays for my pitcher.”

Utility players certainly have their value at the end of a bench, considering how many roles they can cram into one roster spot, but DeCriscio will still have to hit his way to the bigs in some fashion. In that way, the AFL is another way to prove himself, much like he did during that last look at NC State. It’s been relatively slow going out of the gate as he’s gone 5-for-28 (.179) through eight games while rotating around the dirt defensively, but there have been flashes, as there were in Tuesday's 11-10 win at Peoria Sports Complex. ​

In the third inning, DeCriscio saw three straight changeups from righty Chris Veach (Yankees), taking the first for a strike, whiffing on the second and driving the third out to left field for a three-run homer. At 102.0 mph off the bat, it was the first time DeCriscio registered an exit velocity in the triple digits in the Fall League. It was also reflective of some of the offensive adjustments he’s made since his days on campus.​

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“Just starting earlier, slower and earlier,” he said. “That's the thing for me when I feel rushed at the plate or for anyone. It’s harder to see the ball, and it makes it harder to hit. So being slower and earlier will help you see the ball and overall make good decisions and hit the ball hard.”

DeCriscio's athleticism came back into play five innings later when he laid down a perfect bunt hit up the third-base line on a 98.8 mph sinker from another Yankees righty, Antonio Gomez, and sprinted for an infield hit.

In early August, DeCriscio was with Fort Wayne in the days ahead of the Trade Deadline, a typically active time for the Padres organization. While some of his TinCaps teammates may have been hunting for breaking news, DeCriscio delved into his work on the diamond as a distraction. Two months later, he’s on a prospect-laden showcase circuit that could get him more attention and potentially into Top 30 discussions if his play continues to step forward during the remaining four weeks of AFL play.

And just as he thought upstairs back home in 2025, he just wants a chance.

“I think at the end of the day, you're playing baseball, and that's a blessing,” DeCriscio said. “No matter where you're doing it, you just have to show up and do it.”