El Paso Chihuahuas
The El Paso Chihuahuas started their season the day after the San Diego Padres and have played four games, three against the Sacramento Salt River Cats and a first of six against the Tacoma Rainiers. They sit at 2-2 on the season with a win against each team.
Starter and rehabbing pitcher, Matt Waldron, pitched three innings in the debut game, allowing two hits and no runs with three strikeouts. His fastball has greater velocity this season, averaging 93 mph and his sinker is up to 92 mph. He is using
a five-pitch mix, relying more heavily on his sinker than his four-seamer and using his knuckleball 27% of the time in his first start (stats per tjstats.ca)
He will be built up and the Padres will need to decide if he will be promoted to the major league club. The way things are currently going, it would make sense to give him an opportunity. He is out of options and can’t be kept in El Paso.
The Chihuahua rotation currently includes RHP Triston McKenzie (two innings pitched, two runs, four walks in his start), LHP Marco Gonzales (five innings pitched, six hits, three earned runs, two strikeouts, a walk and two hit-by-pitch in his start), LHP J.P. Sears (five innings pitched, two earned runs, a walk and two strikeouts in his start). After Waldron finishes his rehab another starter could take his place, presumably LHP Jackson Wolf. RHP Logan Gillaspie has been a relief role so far with the Chihuahuas. RHP Sean Boyle will make the start in the second game versus Tacoma, today.
Utility player Sung-Mun Song has made three starts for El Paso, playing second base and shortstop, going 1-for-5 with six strikeouts, a walk, a single and and three RBI in 17 at-bats. His OPS is .513 with a .235 average.
San Antonio Missions
The Missions play begins Thursday against the Tulsa Drillers in Tulsa, Okla. Their starting rotation highlights top prospect RHP Miguel Mendez with LHP Jagger Haynes, RHP Eric Yost, LHP Luis Gutierrez and RHP Victor Lizarraga filling out the five spots. Relievers Harry Gustin, Johan Moreno, Manuel Castro, Josh Mallitz and Ryan Och headline the bullpen.
Catcher Ethan Salas will be the primary catcher with Brandon Durfee the primary backup. First baseman Romeo Sanabria, a spring standout, will be joined by infielders Francis Acuńa, Ryan Jackson, Carson Tucker and Luis Verdugo. Wyatt Hoffman, son of Padres Hall of Famer, Trevor Hoffman, will be the utility man.
Outfielders Albert Fabian, Braedon Karpathios, Kai Murphy and Kai Roberts will be joined by returner Josh Mears, who retired last June with consistent injury issues. He is back to try again as a former top prospect.
Fort Wayne TinCaps
Fort Wayne begins its season on Friday against the Great Lakes Loons in Midland, Mich. LHP Kash Mayfield leads their rotation followed by RHP Kannon Kemp, LHP Jaxon Dalena, RHP Isaiah Lowe and RHP Carson Montgomery. The roster features RHP Maikel Miralles and LHP Igor Gil as other possible starters. The bullpen has Clark Candiotti, Clay Edmondson, Bernard Jose, Abraham Parra and Jeferson Villabona among others.
Catcher/1B Lamar King Jr. will be backed by Oswaldo Linares and Carlos Rodriguez. Infielders Jack Costello, Zach Evans, Dylan Grego, Jonathon Vastine and Rosman Verdugo are all playing with the Missions this season. Outfielders Jake Cunningham, Alex McCoy, Kavares Tears and Kasen Wells will fill out the roster.
Lake Elsinore Storm
Lake Elsinore begins its season Thursday, playing the Ontario TowerBuzzers in Ontario, Calif., a new team in the California League. LHP Kruz Schoolcraft will head up the rotation and will be joined by LHP Bryan Balzer, RHP Sean Barnett and a large group of starters and relievers drafted and/or signed in 2025. The roles are not currently defined on the roster.
The catchers will be Ty Harvey and Truitt Madonna, both drafted in 2025, along with Victor Duarte who also plays second base and played last season with Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore. The infield will be manned by Luke Cantwell, Kerrington Cross, Justin DeCriscio, Bradley Frye, Jose Verdugo and Jorge Quintana.
Outfielders will be George Bilecki, Conner Westernburg, Ryan Wideman and Kale Fountain, who distinguished himself in the Spring Breakout game with a 455-foot home run.
There will be weekly minor league updates on the Gaslamp Ball site.
