Padres take risky chance on injured mid-major pitcher in 2025 MLB Draft

With the 130th pick of the 2025 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres select... someone we did not necessarily expect. On Day 2 of the draft, the Padres took right-handed pitcher Michael Salina, who was ranked No. 210 on MLB.com.

Salina, out of St. Bonaventure, barely pitched this season due to an elbow injury. He made four appearances in 2025 as the team's ace, which saw him last throw on March 8. Salina, however, was invited to the MLB Draft Combine to boost his stock, and it clearly paid off.

Salina is the third player taken by the Padres this draft, joining Oregon prep pitcher Kruz Schoolcraft, and college outfielder Ryan Wideman (Western Kentucky).

Michael Salina drafted by San Diego Padres in fourth round of 2025 MLB Draft

The slot value for this pick is $571.5k, but considering Salina was injured this season, and he is a college pitcher, the Padres might try and sign him for less. Salina doesn't have many options, regardless of what he is offered.

So, what made the Padres 'reach' on Salina? The 6-foot-1 New York native can reach triple digits on his fastball, which will pique any scout's interest. It never hurts to roster many 100 MPH throwing pitchers as possible, so Salina could wind up being a safe bet if he remains healthy.

There is obvious tremendous upside in Salina, and the club drafting him higher than what we thought tells us that other teams were zeroing in on taking him. Salina was previously at George Mason before transferring to St. Bonaventure, and when he throws a full season, his dominance is unmistakable.

At face value, the pick in this round is a bit confusing, but if we look back on this choice in a few years, we might be thankful that the Friars opted for Salina.

The Bonnies have not seen a pitcher drafted in quite some time. John Burke and George Daly were drafted in the early 1900s out of the NY school, then Frank Loftus and Jim McCloskey pitched in the 1920s and 1930s professionally.

Danny McDevitt had the longest MLB tenure of all St. Bonaventure pitchers, pitching from 1957-1962, tossing 456 career innings.