The San Diego Padres have never been shy about swinging big when it comes to trades, especially if it means bringing in elite talent. Just look back at the blockbuster deal in 2022 that sent CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell III, James Wood, and Jarlin Susana to the Nationals in exchange for Juan Soto. That was a franchise-altering move, the kind that signals a team going all-in for a championship window.
Fast forward to now, and the Padres are at it again. In a recent deal, they sent a hefty package of prospects to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for hard-throwing righty Mason Miller and left-hander JP Sears.
The trade included Leo De Vries-ranked No. 3 overall by MLB Pipeline-as well as Branden Nett (the Padres’ No. 3 prospect), Henry Baez (No. 13), and their No. 17-ranked prospect. That’s a serious haul, and it underscores how much San Diego valued the immediate impact Miller and Sears could bring to their rotation and bullpen.
Of course, shipping off De Vries meant giving up their top-ranked prospect. That title now belongs to catcher Ethan Salas, who still carries plenty of intrigue despite a tough setback in 2025.
Salas missed nearly the entire season due to a stress reaction in his lower back, an injury that stalled his rapid ascent through the minors. But make no mistake-Salas is still very much in the Padres’ long-term plans.
Looking ahead to 2026, Salas is one of the most important players in the organization. He was once a consensus top-10 prospect in all of baseball, and the team is counting on him to bounce back and reestablish himself as a future cornerstone behind the plate. His development will be one of the key storylines for the Padres next season, especially with the team needing cost-controlled young talent to supplement its big-league roster.
But Salas isn’t the only name Padres fans should keep an eye on. Miguel Mendez is starting to generate some real buzz, and for good reason.
He was signed out of the Dominican Republic in February 2021 at age 18, and he’s grown into one of the more electric arms in the system. Now ranked as the club’s No. 5 prospect, Mendez has a fastball that touches triple digits and a mid-80s slider that gives hitters fits.
His raw stuff is undeniable, and he’s turning heads within the organization.
In fact, general manager A.J. Preller specifically mentioned Mendez during the GM Meetings as someone who could make an impact in 2026.
That’s not just lip service-when Preller name-drops a prospect unprompted, it usually means the team sees a legitimate path to the big leagues. Mendez could very well find himself pitching meaningful innings for the Padres this coming season, especially if he continues to refine his command and secondary offerings.
So yes, the Padres have dealt away some serious prospect capital in recent years, but the cupboard isn’t bare. Ethan Salas and Miguel Mendez represent two very different but equally important pieces of San Diego’s future. Salas is the high-upside catcher trying to bounce back from injury, and Mendez is the flame-throwing righty who could be knocking on the big-league door sooner rather than later.
For a team that’s always looking to contend, having impact prospects like these waiting in the wings could make all the difference.