Despite trading young talent, Padres have rash of prospects to watch in Spring

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Sure, the Padres’ farm system has thinned significantly with recent trades. But they’ve torn down their farm before, only to build it back up, and they’re confident they’re on their way to doing it again.

In the meantime, there are still a handful of intriguing prospects in big league camp. With Cactus League play set to get underway, here’s a look at four Padres prospects to keep an eye on this spring.

1. C Ethan Salas

Let’s face it: 2025 was mostly a lost season for top prospect Ethan Salas. He was sidelined in April by a stress reaction in his back, and it lingered longer than the Padres initially hoped. Plans for Salas to play in the fall or winter were eventually scrapped, with the organization preferring that he rest, heal and be ready for the 2026 season.

So here we are. There aren’t many prospects with as much riding on this year as Salas. Does he revert to the projection that once had him as a top-five prospect in baseball? Or do the injury concerns and struggles at the plate persist?

It’s time to find out. Salas should get plenty of playing time in his third big league camp this spring.

“I can learn a lot from last year,” Salas said. “I can take care of my body better, and I definitely did a lot of homework on the game-calling side, game-situation stuff.”

As much as Salas could -- and did -- invest himself in those mental reps, there’s no substitute for on-field experience. Especially for a young catcher.

Salas isn’t going to make the Padres and will almost certainly start the season at Double-A, where he’ll get those much-needed reps. He’s still only 19 and could set the tone for a crucial year with a strong spring.

2. RHP Miguel Mendez

All those trades have thinned the rotation depth in the upper levels of the Padres’ system. But they were thrilled to keep Mendez on board.

Currently ranked as the team's No. 5 prospect, Mendez no longer has a realistic path to the Opening Day roster. The recent additions at the back end of the rotation have changed that. But it’s not crazy to think he could make an impact with the big league club this season, whether as a starter or in relief.

“If he’s able to take another step from a development standpoint this year, like he did last year, he’ll be somebody at some point that could put himself in position for Petco,” general manager A.J. Preller said at the Winter Meetings in December.

There’s still plenty of development ahead for Mendez -- and he’ll need to throw more strikes to stick as a starter. But his trajectory remains squarely upward.

3. RHP Garrett Hawkins

Alongside Mendez, Hawkins was added to the Padres’ 40-man roster during the winter, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. For good reason, too. Nobody was more dominant than Hawkins in the Padres’ system last year. He posted a 1.50 ERA in 60 innings between High-A and Double-A.

A ninth-round pick in 2021, Hawkins transitioned to a bullpen role after missing the ‘24 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. His stuff clearly plays there. Hawkins recorded a 38-inning scoreless streak that marked the longest streak in the Minors in 10 years.

Given the bullpen depth already in San Diego, Hawkins is unlikely to make a serious roster push. But he, too, might be trending toward a callup this summer.

As for this spring, where he’s taking part in his first big league camp …

“The big thing is just learning from lots of guys here,” Hawkins said. “I’m happy to get the opportunity. … And seeing how big league hitters react to my stuff will be a big benefit.”

4. RHP Bradgley Rodriguez

Rodriguez, who is ranked the club's No. 6 prospect, won’t find himself on Padres prospects lists much longer. He debuted last season, striking out nine and allowing just one run over 7 2/3 innings.

Combining big velocity with a penchant for soft contact, Rodriguez is the only prospect on this list with a serious case for a roster spot. There’s either one place or two available in the bullpen (depending on the status of Jason Adam). About eight different relievers are in the mix.

Rodriguez’s raw stuff ranks among the best of that group, and the Padres have been equally impressed with his ability to handle big moments. It’s part of the reason he was named to their postseason roster as a 21-year-old last season (though he didn’t appear in a game).