Padres Top Prospects 2025 | Padres Pulse
The Padres farm system isn't what it was a few years ago, but it's far from empty. Thanks to a strong international pipeline and a few savvy draft picks, San Diego still has impact talent on the way. So who are the Padres top prospects in 2025? The headliners are shortstop Leo De Vries and catcher Ethan Salas, two teenagers with star potential. Behind them, a mix of power arms and athletic position players are climbing the ranks. Here's a look at the names that matter most this season.
The Headliners: Leo De Vries and Ethan Salas
If you ask anyone around the league to name the Padres top prospects, two names come up first. Leo De Vries is a switch-hitting shortstop who signed for $4.2 million in January 2024. He's still just 18, but he already shows advanced plate discipline, plus speed, and surprising pop from both sides. The Padres pushed him aggressively in 2024, and he held his own against older competition. He's the kind of player who could force his way to San Diego by late 2026.
Ethan Salas might be the most famous teenage catcher in baseball. He signed for $5.6 million in 2023 and immediately became a consensus top-20 global prospect. Salas has a mature approach at the plate, a quick left-handed swing, and elite defensive tools behind the dish. The bat took a step back in 2024 as he faced pitchers several years older, but that's normal for a kid who was 18 for most of the season. The Padres still believe he's a future All-Star. Both De Vries and Salas are the cornerstones of this list.
The Next Wave: Leodalis De Vries and Cobb Hightower
Wait, didn't we just mention Leo De Vries? Yes, but there's another De Vries in the system—Leodalis De Vries, a toolsy outfielder who signed in 2023. He's not related to Leo, but he shares the same aggressive style. Leodalis has plus speed, a strong arm, and raw power that hasn't fully shown up in games yet. He's a classic lottery ticket: if the hit tool develops, he's a regular; if not, he's a fourth outfielder.
Then there's Cobb Hightower, a shortstop taken in the 2024 draft. He's a plus runner with a quick bat and a chance to stick at short. Hightower probably won't move as fast as De Vries, but he's a name to watch in full-season ball this year. Both players are part of the Padres top prospects conversation because of their upside, not their polish.
Pitching Prospects: Dylan Lesko and Robby Snelling
The Padres have always been willing to develop pitching, and two arms stand out for 2025. Dylan Lesko was a first-round pick in 2022 who had Tommy John surgery before he ever threw a professional pitch. When healthy, he shows a plus changeup and a mid-90s fastball with ride. He returned in 2024 and looked rusty at times, but the stuff is still there. If he stays healthy, he could be a mid-rotation starter by 2026.
Robby Snelling is a left-hander who tore through three levels in 2023 but hit a wall in 2024. His velocity dipped, and his command wavered. Still, he's a competitor with a good slider and a track record of winning. The Padres top prospects list wouldn't be complete without him. Both Lesko and Snelling need bounce-back years, but the talent is undeniable.
Sleeper Prospects to Watch in 2025
Every system has a few names that don't get enough hype. For the Padres, start with Kale Fountain, a hulking first baseman from the 2023 draft. He has 70-grade raw power and a patient eye, but he's limited to first base. If the hit tool clicks, he could be a 30-homer bat.
Another is Rosman Verdugo, a middle infielder who signed for a modest bonus but has impressed with his bat speed and defensive versatility. He's not on many top-100 lists, but he could jump into the Padres top prospects picture by midseason. Finally, keep an eye on Jagger Haynes, a lefty with a funky delivery and a wipeout slider. He's a reliever risk, but the stuff plays. These are the kinds of players who make a farm system deep.
How the Padres Top Prospects Fit the 2025 Plan
San Diego is in a weird spot. The major league roster is expensive and built to win now, but the farm system lacks upper-level depth. That means the Padres top prospects in 2025 are mostly lower-minors guys. De Vries and Salas are at least a year away. Lesko and Snelling could help in the second half if they rediscover their form. The rest are further off.
So don't expect a wave of rookies in 2025. Instead, this is a year for development. The Padres need these prospects to stay healthy, take their lumps, and force the front office to make tough decisions. If even two of these players hit, the system will look much better a year from now. For now, the Padres top prospects are about hope and upside, not immediate help.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Padres' No. 1 prospect in 2025?
Most outlets rank Leo De Vries as the Padres' top prospect. He's an 18-year-old switch-hitting shortstop with advanced skills on both sides of the ball. Ethan Salas is a close second and might be No. 1 on some lists.
Is Ethan Salas still a top prospect?
Yes. Salas had a rough 2024 at the plate, but he was one of the youngest players in his league. His defense and approach are still elite for his age, and he remains a consensus top-100 prospect.
When will Leo De Vries reach the majors?
Probably not until late 2026 at the earliest. He's still a teenager and has fewer than 200 professional games under his belt. The Padres will be patient with him.
Do the Padres have any pitching prospects close to the majors?
Robby Snelling and Dylan Lesko are the closest, but both need to rebound from down years in 2024. They could see San Diego in 2025 if they stay healthy and perform.
How does the Padres farm system rank in 2025?
It's generally ranked in the bottom half of MLB, mostly because of graduations and trades. However, the top-end talent (De Vries, Salas) gives the system a higher ceiling than its ranking suggests.