The San Diego Padres have never been shy about going all-in, and their midseason blockbuster for Mason Miller was another swing-for-the-fences move. But that kind of aggression comes with a cost - in this case, the farm system. Years of trading away top-tier prospects have left San Diego's pipeline thin, and after the Miller deal, it’s sitting near the bottom of the league in terms of organizational depth.
Still, if there’s one thing we’ve learned about A.J. Preller over the years, it’s that he doesn’t let a depleted farm system stay that way for long.
Whether it's through savvy drafting or a relentless push on the international market, the Padres have a knack for restocking the shelves. And now, it looks like they may have their eyes on another high-upside arm from the international pool.
According to Wilbert Sanchez on X, the Padres have reached a pre-agreement with Yoel King, a 16-year-old pitching phenom out of the Dominican Republic who’s already lighting up radar guns at over 100 miles per hour. That’s not a typo - triple digits at 16. That kind of velocity at that age is rare, and it’s why King is drawing serious attention as one of the top arms in the 2027 international class.
Sanchez reports that the bonus tied to this pre-agreement would be the highest ever given to a pitcher in that class. That’s a strong signal that the Padres are serious about bringing King into the fold - and that they see him as a potential cornerstone in their next wave of talent.
Now, let’s be clear: this isn’t a done deal. These pre-agreements are informal and non-binding.
King hasn’t officially signed with the Padres, and there’s still time for other teams to make a push. But the connection is real, and San Diego appears to be in a strong position to land him when the time comes.
For a team that’s emptied the tank to compete now, this is exactly the kind of move that can help balance the scales. King represents upside, electricity, and long-term potential - all things the Padres desperately need in a system that’s seen a lot of talent shipped out in recent years.
There’s still a waiting game to be played here. King won’t be eligible to join the organization for some time, and the Padres will have to hold their breath until it’s official. But if they can seal the deal, this could be a major step toward rebuilding a farm system that’s seen better days.
For now, it’s a promising development - and a reminder that even as the Padres chase wins at the big-league level, they’re still keeping an eye on the future.