Padres prospect report: Waldron inches closer, Nett whiffs 8, another catcher emerges

The Padres have been without 28-year-old right-handed starting pitcher Matt Waldron all season, but he is inching his way closer to a return at the major league level.

This past week with Triple-A El Paso, Waldron made his seventh start of the minor league season, and gave his best effort. On June 15 at Round Rock, Waldron tossed a season-high 5 2/3 innings, surrendering one run on three hits with one walk. He also punched out five hitters, and is now 3-1 on the mound with a 3.90 ERA in 27 2/3 frames in Triple -A. Hopefully he returns to the bigs soon.

Padres top prospect Braden Nett records a season-high in Double-A

Braden Nett, the No. 9 prospect in San Diego's farm, produced a season-best eight strikeout on June 12 at Double-A Amarillo. He also went six innings, marking just the second time he's gone that deep across 11 starts in 2025.

Through 49 2/3 innings with Double-A San Antonio, Nett has compiled 59 strikeouts and boasts a 3.99 ERA.

Padres' Brandon Valenzuela pops off with Double-A San Antonio

While Padres top prospect Ethan Salas sits on the sidelines with an injury, the organization has another minor league catcher making some noise. Brandon Valenzuela, a 24-year-old who has been in minor league ball since 2018, just strung together a monster week with the Missions.

Valenzuela drove in eight RBIs in the six-game series against Amarillo. In the last five contests, he batted 9-for-23 with six runs scored, two home runs, two doubles, and a triple.

This season, Valenzuela is batting .275 with nine homers and an .837 OPS. If San Diego continues to struggle with their current catchers (Elias Diaz, Martin Maldonado), maybe it wouldn't hurt to give Valenzuela a shot at playing in a Major League Baseball game.

Padres minor league schedule: June 16-22

Triple-A El Paso (36-33): Six-game home series vs. Reno (Diamondbacks)

Double-A San Antonio (35-28): Six game home series vs. Frisco (Rangers)

High-A Fort Wayne (30-33): Six-game road series at Dayton (Reds)

Single-A Lake Elsinore (29-34): Six-game road series at Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)