Predicting some of the Padres non-roster invitees with spring training just days away

We are now less than one week away from spring training officially starting, and the San Diego Padres have a number of highly touted prospects and recently signed veterans that will be looking to make an impact in the coming months. Looking for increased depth in multiple parts of the roster, Manager Mike Shildt and the Padres front office have quite a few decisions to make before Opening Day arrives.

Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries

As the Padres top two prospects, both Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries should expect to be invited to spring training. Salas, who was invited last season and picked up two hits in nine plate appearances, could find himself in more games this year as he reaches closer to his much anticipated MLB debut. The Padres two recent catcher additions in Martin Maldonado and Elias Diaz should not provide too much competition for Salas; Maldonado should be seen as a very back end depth piece, while Diaz should have the starting spot already locked up.

For De Vries, this spring training offers a first chance to make an impact on a big stage. Having only played as high as A-ball, getting reps against major league caliber players will finally offer Padres fans a glimpse of what he is truly capable of. Look for De Vries to take reps at both middle infield positions.

Victor Lizarraga

The Padres ninth ranked prospect, 21-year-old Victor Lizarraga could find himself on the spring training roster in just a couple days. Signed in 2021, the right handed starter is projected to make his MLB debut in 2025, so his inclusion on the spring training roster would not be a surprise.

The 6-foot-3 hurler has a fastball that can reach mid-90's, while his curveball, slider, and changeup provide the off-speed. In 2024 at the Double-A level, Lizarraga started 21 games finishing with a 4-5 record and a 4.03 ERA.

Martin Maldonado, Mike Brosseau, and other fringe veterans

Before the Padres finally woke up and signed Elias Diaz as the teams first major league signing of the off-season, a number of veterans were signed to minor league deals. Names like Martin Maldonado, Niko Goodrum, and Mike Brosseau have all been signed on minor league deals looking to make the MLB roster.

Signing Maldonado had many Padres fans believing that the front office had given up on the off-season. Maldonado is coming off a downright awful year with the White Sox, where he put up a .119/.174/.230 slash line in 48 games. Entering his 15th season, you can still expect to see Maldonado on the spring training roster as one of just four catchers the Padres have.

Infield utility men Mike Brosseau and Niko Goodrum should receive invites simply because of the Padres lacking infield depth, but expect Brosseau to have much more of a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Outfielder Forrest Wall can also expect an invite after being signed to a minor league contract in January. Wall is seen as an on-base threat with great speed.

Recent addition, right handed reliever J.B. Wendelken, is a longshot to make the roster but could sneak in to provide competition to the rest of the bullpen. He last pitched at the major league level in 2022 for the Diamondbacks.