These 3 Padres have been red-hot this spring, but only 1 will likely make Opening Day roster

The Padres have seen three under-the-radar outfielders bring their A-game at the plate so far in spring training. Unfortunately, there is the likelihood of finding room for just one of the three to make the Opening Day roster. Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Jason Heyward will eat up most of the games in the outfield, so the Friars will probably give one either Oscar Gonzalez, Tirso Ornelas, or Forrest Wall a spot on the active roster.

These 3 Padres have been red-hot this spring, but only 1 will likely make Opening Day roster

Oscar Gonzalez

San Diego signed Gonzalez to a minor league deal back in November and gave him a non-roster invite to spring. He didn't see any time in the major leagues in 2024, logging 78 games with Yankees' Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. He smashed 32 extra-base hits, including eight home runs, in this stretch before electing for free agency.

Gonzalez has carried his success in the minors over to Padres' camp and has taken advantage of his opportunity. Entering Friday, Gonzalez has five hits in five games, batting .357 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs. He took the league by storm in 2022 as a rookie in Cleveland, batting .296 before trailing off in 2023. Since then, he hasn't been able to crack a spot on a Major League roster, but he is making his name known this spring.

Tirso Ornelas

Ornelas' biggest downfall with Gonzalez and Wall is that he has no major league experience. He was a force in Triple-A last year, batting .297 with 23 home runs and 24 doubles in El Paso. As the second-highest outfield prospect in the Padres' organization, Ornelas has shined at spring training.

He has five hits in his first 12 at-bats, including a home run and two RBIs. Ornelas carried a five-game hitting streak into San Diego's game against the A's on February 27, but went 0-for-2 to snap his hot stretch. If he continues showing consistency at the dish, Ornelas may get promoted sooner rather than later.

Forrest Wall

Wall has been a tremendous player at spring training in each of the last three seasons. In 2023 with the Braves, he hit .393 in 13 spring games. Last year with Atlanta, he clubbed three home runs and 10 RBIs.

Now, signing a free-agent deal with the Padres, he's brought his spring prowess over with his new team. Entering Friday, he is 5-for-10 with a home run in back-to-back games, logging four total RBIs and three runs scored. He's only been given minimal time at the major league level in the regular season, though. At 29 years old, Wall has only played in 31 MLB games, where he is a career .311 hitter.

If Wall is actually given a real chance, he could help the Padres be successful. The best part of his game is on the bases, tallying 281 career stolen bases. In 2022 and 2023, he combined for 104 swiped bags. Last year, he stole 20 bases. Even if Wall doesn't receive a role in the lineup, he could be a tremendous pinch-runner option.