The Arizona Fall League is underway, and the Padres have eight prospects set to play for the Peoria Javelinas. Over the next several weeks, those prospects will compete alongside, and against, some of the best young players from around baseball.
Here's a look at three intriguing Padres storylines for the 2025 AFL season, which runs through mid-November:
More on the Arizona Fall League:
1. Lamar King Jr. gets a shot
Top Padres prospect Ethan Salas was originally part of the team's Arizona Fall League roster, but he was removed late in the process to allow him to continue to heal a back injury that forced him to miss most of the 2025 season.
The Padres are sending an intriguing catching prospect nonetheless. The 21-year-old King advanced to High-A Fort Wayne this season and batted .274 with a .737 OPS across two levels. He swiped 21 bags as well.
The Padres' No. 14 overall prospect, King spent the majority of his time at catcher this season, with a handful of games at first base. In Peoria, he'll likely spend most of his time behind the plate -- with plenty to prove.
There's a lot to like about King as a prospect -- his plate discipline, his power potential, his athleticism at catcher. The next few weeks offer King a chance to hone that skill set behind the dish and perhaps tap into some of that power.
2. Intriguing arms from the 2023 Draft
The Padres selected Tucker Musgrove, Kannon Kemp and Carson Montgomery with the seventh-, eighth- and 11th-round picks in the 2023 Draft, respectively. Then all three proceeded to miss significant time due to injury in 2024.
Musgrove (no relation to Joe Musgrove, though, yes, they both had the same operation) and Montgomery underwent Tommy John surgery. Kemp, the Padres’ No. 29 overall prospect, dealt with a shoulder issue that would also require surgery.
In 2025, however, all three are healthy and pitching in the Arizona Fall League, set to recoup some valuable innings against high-quality competition. All three look like intriguing prospects, capable of both starting and pitching in relief. The next month will present a meaningful test for that trio.
3. Karpathios’ stock up
After playing one season in community college, Braedon Karpathios went unselected in the 2022 Draft, but signed with the Padres as a free agent. A shrewd signing thus far.
In parts of three Minor League seasons, Karpathios is hitting .248/.384/.391, and there are signs he’s starting to tap into some power. Karpathios can play all three outfield spots, though he’s likely destined for a corner.
The Padres’ No. 30 prospect, Karpathios advanced as high as Double-A this season. After a flurry of transactions thinned out the upper levels of the Padres’ system, Karpathios will continue to get opportunities -- including a big one over the next month in Arizona.