Padres finally address minor league shortstop gap after Leo De Vries trade

When the San Diego Padres shockingly traded their top prospect, Leo De Vries ahead of the trade deadline this season, it left an opportunity for some other players within the organization to step up and make a name for themselves.

While that is still true, the Padres went out and signed a vetern journeyman within the minor leagues to bolster the infield. Damon Dues, 27, was playing in the Mexican League with Algodoneros Union Laguna before San Diego signed him and sent him to Double-A San Antonio.

Padres sign Damon Dues to minor league deal to bolster shortstop depth

A shortstop, Dues was also playing independent ball this year with the Staten Island FerryHawks. In both leagues this year, he hit well over .300.

Dues was released by the San Francisco Giants last season after batting .185 with Double-A Richmond, and since then, has played in multiple international leagues to get better. Listed at 6-foot, 180 pounds, Dues is a career .280 hitter in Minor League Baseball with a .414 OBP, which dates back to 2021.

He made his debut within the Padres organization on August 10 against Springfield, and went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts as the leadoff man, but playing center field, rather than shortstop.

Francisco Acuna has played shortstop for the Missions this season, but he's sliding a bit in August. Batting .176 this month, Dues may get some chances to play his natural position, potentially cultivating a comeback after the Giants wrote him off last season.