San Diego Padres affiliates went 2-3 on Wednesday.

Here is a recap of the day’s events.

Lake Elsinore Storm (win 5-4 to Rancho Cucamonga) (22-23, 2nd in Cal South)

*Leodalis De Vries: 2-4 w/ a 2B & 2 RBIS

*Chase Valentine, 3-4, Walk-Off Single in 10th 

The Storm won their Wednesday night game against Rancho Cucamonga in walk-off fashion by the final of 5-4 in extras.

At the plate, Padres No.4 prospect Leodalis De Vries would put together a two-for-four night with a double, two runs batted in, and a walk. Since returning from a shoulder injury, it’s been tough sledding for De Vries. However, given he is 17 years old, do not worry about the slump.

Furthermore, he has started to heat up in his last three games as he’s hit .454 while posting a wRC+ over 100, a .421 wOBA, and collected five hits. 

Admittedly, it’s a very small sample size, but it’s been good to see the young man look more comfortable this last handful of at-bats. 

Chase Valentine would also post a big day at the dish, and connect with the walk off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to win it and cap off a three for four day at the plate. Along with the walk-off single, Valentine would also have a double and a run scored. 

On the pitching end, starter Jose Luis Reyes would go 4.2 innings innings, allowing two runs on six hits,  one walks, and three strikeouts. In over 27 innings of work, he does on a ERA north of 6.50.

However, the underlying numbers show a young pitcher who has upside. With a 3.56 FIP,  3.80 xFIP, and 26% K% Luis Reyes has good stuff, he just isn’t getting the best results yet at the moment. He has a .415 BABIP, a number that is not at all sustainable for opposing hitters. 

He should see some positive regression in his future soon.  

Fort Wayne TinCaps , (4-3 loss  to Timber Rattlers  ) (21-26, 6th MID EAST)

*Homer Bush Jr.: 3-4, w/ 2 SB’s and run scored 

*Cole Paplham: 1 IP, 1 K & 1 BB

The Fort Wayne would fall on Wednesday afternoon  to the Timber Rattlers by the final of 4-3

On the mound, Jagger Haynes would put together one of his better outings of the season. The Padres No.18 prospect would work 5.1 Innings, allowing one earned run. 

While Haynes would have a strong start, it was still one that saw the left hander struggle with command. While he would punch out three hitters, he would also issue three walks and a hit by pitch. 

In total, he would throw just 48 of his 90 pitches for strikes, good for only a 53.3 strike percentage 

Overall, Haynes has had a solid month of May as he has worked the tune of a 2.42 ERA in 22 innings pitches. But command remains and issues as a whole this season as he has a 17.4 BB% to just a 15.4% K%. That’s a negative 1.7% K-BB%.  

Offensively, the Tin Caps would get a big day out of Homer Bush Jr. The Padres No. 8 prospect would go three for four with a run scored and two stolen bases.

The month of May has been kind to Bush Jr.  The speedy outfielder has heated up, as since May 1st he’s posted a 115 wRC+, .352 wOBA, swiped 14 bases and, hit and even .300. An in his last 66 at bats he’s posted a 119 wRC+ and .377 wOBA. 

Bush is still lacking a bit of pop, even still, his offensive impact has been felt and the bat speed is certainly there. With his speed and quick hands, he can be a strong gap-to-gap hitter. 

Out of the bullpen, Padres No.17 prospect Cole Paplham would shine, working a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and punching out one. It was just Paplhams second inning of work since being recalled from the ACL. 

Paplham’s fastball explodes out of his hand, and he pairs it with a nasty sweeper that can get a lot of swing and miss. Paplham’s fastballs both sit 97-98 mph, touching 99 mph at its max, but his sweeper is the crown jewel as it sits 86 mph and can generate over a foot of movement. 

San Antonio Missions, Double Header v. Rough Riders Game 1, Loss 6-4. Game 2, Loss 6-4. (22-24, 3rd TEX South)

*Robby Snelling: 4IP, 6 ERs, 4 BBs

*Cole Cummings: 3-4, w/ a 2B

Padres No.2 prospect Robby Snelling would struggle in his outing for San Antonio during game one. It was a rare, very poor outing for the big left-hander as he allowed six  earned runs on seven hits, allowing two long balls,  and walking four. 

While 2024 hasn’t been bad for Snelling, it also hasn’t been the start to the season some were expecting. His K% is down 5.1% from last season, his FIP has jumped to 4.13, and  while posting just a 10.7% SwSrt% and 23.5% Whiff%. 

Snelling’s numbers are a bit inflated due to a high BABIP, which rests at .321. Still, with hitters mustering a 23.6% Line Drive rate, he is getting squared up more constantly this season for the Missions. His era now sits at 5.04 on the year. 

In game two, the Missions offense would get a jolt from Cole Cummings as the left fielder went three for four with a double and a run scored. 2024 has been a good one for the 25-year-old Cummins as he’s posted a wRC+ north of 100  and a  10.8% BB%. 

In truth, Cummins still lacks power, as he has just a .717 OPS and an ISO of .142; however, both are significant improvements upon his numbers during his time in Double-A last season. 

EL Paso Chihuahuas (8-0 win v. Round Rock Express ) (21-32, 4th in PCL East ) 

* Graham Pauley: 3-4 w/ 2 2Bs

* Tirso Ornelas: 2 for 5 w/ a 2B

For the EL Paso Chihuahuas bats would be electric on Wednesday night as they would roll against the Round Rock Express.  

Having the biggest offensive impact would be Padres No.6 prospect Graham Pauley. Pauley would go three for five with two doubles and two RBIs. Pauley has continued to hit well in El Paso, posting a .918 OPS, .484 Slug%, 114 wRC+, and .242 ISO since being sent down. 

It is also worth noting that Graham Pauley continues to work/get innings at second base, a position where San Diego has lost Xander Bogearts for and extended period of time with a fractured shoulder. 

Tirso Ornelas would also provide a shot in the arm as they Padres No. 25 prospect would collect two hits and three runs batted in. Ornelas has posted a 111 wRC+ in El Paso to go along with a .486 Slug% and a .188 ISO. 

On the pitching end of things for El Paso, would get a really nice outing from Gabe Mosser. It would not be a big swing and miss day for Mosser as he would punch out just one hitter, but he would walk none and induce a lot of soft contact. 

Paul Fry would have a solid relief outing out of the pen, working the final two innings of the game, allowing just one hit and punching out four.

Clark E. Fahrenthold

Proud San Diego Native. Attended Sonoma State University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in communications; following my graduation, I returned home to San Diego, where I have worked in the local San Diego media sports scene since 2020.