3 former Padres’ prospects who are thriving in their new homes

AJ Preller and the Padres did not flinch. The title “World Champions,” consumed them, as it does with most teams. It became their sole pursuit. In the midst of crown-chasing, San Diego aggressively dealt away “top of the line” prospects without hesitation. 

The World Series trophy continues to be elusive and former prospects are now beginning to make waves with their current teams. What was once touted as a “deep” farm system, is now proving to be as advertised, though many pieces are no longer with San Diego. 

In the summer of 2022 and 2024, the Padres were in the midst of a championship hunt and went all in. Juan Soto and Tanner Scott headlined two separate deals. In return, Preller parted with a plethora of young talent in MacKenzie Gore, James Wood, and Robby Snelling. Fast track two and a half years, and each of these guys are playing a significant role in their organizations. Gore and Wood are contributing at a high level for the Nationals, while Snelling is flashing the potential to be a key rotation piece for Miami.

James Wood has started off the 2025 season, on a tear. He’s shown a quick, strong bat through the zone, helping him drive the ball to all parts of the field. He is barreling the ball at a 16.3 percent clip and is putting up exit velocities of 90 miles per hour or more in 52.2 percent of his “batted-ball events” – marks that have placed him in the 89th percentile or higher. This strong contact has led to his torrid start, where he is hitting .273 with a .926 OPS and a 157 wRC+. A breakout campaign is on the rise for James Wood and his teammate, MacKenzie Gore has begun to follow suit.

Year by year, Gore has progressively gotten stronger, and is beginning to look like the ace-caliber arm, many imagined. In 2023, through 136 ⅓ innings, he posted a 4.42 ERA and a 4.89 FIP, flashing dominance but there remained inconsistency. A year after, he followed up with a 3.90 ERA and a 3.53 FIP through 166 ⅓ innings and is now putting together one of the best starts of any pitcher this year.

Through 46 innings he has posted a 3.33 ERA, 2.72 FIP, with a league leading, 68 strikeouts. His 13.3 K/9 and 36.4 percent strikeout rate are also tops in baseball. Potential has turned to performance, as MacKenzie Gore has established himself as the ace of Washington’s staff. 

While Gore is getting it done on the big-league mound, former Padres prospect Robby Snelling is preparing himself for his call-up in Miami. After a tough 2024 season in the Marlins’ farm system where he posted a 5.15 ERA and a 4.56 FIP, Snelling has bounced back and is spinning an impressive 2025 start in Double-A. 

Through the small stretch of 26 innings, he is flashing the front-line stuff San Diego briefly had. With his 2.42 ERA,  2.60 FIP and 31.4 percent strikeout rate, he’s beginning to turn heads of organizations across the league, and likely leaving a poor taste in the mouths of Padres’ executives and fans alike.

Hindsight is always 20/20 but San Diego felt they had to take their shot. They pursued the crown, but in doing so, parted with pieces that may have helped them achieve it