The San Diego Padres are in a holding pattern when it comes to their catching situation. Their long-term plan revolves around top prospect Ethan Salas, but until he gains the necessary experience in the minors, the team is left relying on temporary solutions none of whom have inspired much confidence so far this spring.
Since Salas was reassigned to minor league camp, the remaining catchers in big-league camp Elias Díaz, Luis Campusano, Martín Maldonado, and Brett Sullivan have struggled mightily at the plate. Through Thursday’s loss to the Texas Rangers, the quartet has managed just six hits in 46 at-bats, striking out 11 times collectively.
While Spring Training stats aren’t always a strong indicator of regular-season performance, the lack of offensive production is still concerning. Catchers have the added challenge of working with multiple pitchers, many of whom they’re unfamiliar with, which can divert their focus away from hitting. But even with that caveat, the Padres were hoping for more.
Díaz, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal this offseason, was expected to take over as the primary catcher. Campusano, once considered a cornerstone of the future, has yet to deliver the offensive impact the organization envisioned when they brought him in back in 2017. His defensive inconsistencies have also remained an issue.
Maldonado, signed to a minor league deal after being let go by the White Sox last July, hasn’t done much to make his case for a roster spot. Meanwhile, Sullivan, a longtime minor leaguer who saw brief major league action in 2023 and 2024, wasn’t initially viewed as a serious contender for the Opening Day roster.
With the season approaching, there’s growing concern that the catching position won’t improve. If the Padres stick with two of their four remaining options, Díaz and Campusano seem like the likely choices. Díaz, a former All-Star Game MVP, has shown he’s capable of offensive production in the past, while Campusano recently abandoned a batting stance adjustment that didn’t work for him in 2024. Though he’s flashed power, consistency remains elusive. If neither player steps up, the Padres could find themselves with a glaring hole in their lineup that stifles run production.
Unless San Diego pulls off a trade, there aren’t any reinforcements on the horizon. GM A.J. Preller has a track record of finding catchers who exceed expectations Jorge Alfaro, Gary Sánchez, and Kyle Higashioka all made unexpected impacts in recent years. But as the regular season draws closer, there’s little evidence to suggest a similar hidden gem is emerging from this group.
