Padres Top 10 Prospects For 2026

Today, we're unveiling the 10 best prospects in the Padres system entering 2026.

The top of the Padres system is headlined by Ethan Salas, a young and talented defensive catcher who is facing a crucial year as he looks to prove he can stay healthy and hit high-level pitching.

Baseball America's Peter Flaherty is hosting a chat at 2 p.m. ET to discuss Salas and the overall state of San Deigo's farm system.

Projected 2029 Padres Lineup

Catcher: Ethan Salas (22)
First Base: Jake Cronenworth (35)
Second Base: Xander Bogaerts (36)
Third Base: Manny Machado (36)
Shortstop: Jorge Quintana (22)
Left Field: Ryan Wideman (25)
Center Field: Jackson Merrill (25)
Right Field: Fernando Tatis Jr. (30)
Designated Hitter: Kale Fountain (23)

No. 1 Starter: Nick Pivetta (36)
No. 2 Starter: Kruz Schoolcraft (22)
No. 3 Starter: Miguel Mendez (26)
No. 4 Starter: Kash Mayfield (24)
No. 5 Starter: Humberto Cruz (22)
Closer: Mason Miller (30)

Listed below are the prospects with the best tools within the organization. To go directly to San Diego's Top 10, click here.

Padres Best Tools

Best Hitter: Romeo Sanabria
Best Power Hitter: Kale Fountain
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Ryan Jackson
Fastest Baserunner: Ryan Wideman
Best Athlete: Ryan Wideman
Best Fastball: Michael Salina
Best Curveball: Harry Gustin
Best Slider: Miguel Mendez
Best Changeup: Bradgley Rodriguez
Best Control: Josh Mallitz
Best Defensive Catcher: Ethan Salas
Best Defensive Infielder: Jorge Quintana
Best Infield Arm: Jorge Quintana
Best Defensive Outfielder: Ryan Wideman
Best Outfield Arm: Ryan Wideman

Editor’s Picks

NL Top 10s: Every National League organization now has an updated 2026 Top 10 Prospects ranking. You can see them all here. Read more…

NL West Reviews: The Future Projection podcast dives deeper into this week’s batch of 2026 Top 10s. Listen here…

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