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Miguel Mendez Could be on the Big-League Radar in 2026
San Diego Padres right-handed pitching prospect Miguel Mendez "could factor into San Diego's starting depth this season and push up his timeline with a strong spring," according to MLB.com. Mendez is still raw at 23 years old and made only six starts at Double-A San Antonio last year, but the Dominican hurler broke out in 2025. At three minor-league levels, he went 8-7 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 118 strikeouts and 45 walks in 95 innings pitched over his 21 starts. General manager A.J. Preller is notoriously aggressive in promoting prospects if he feels they are deserving, so nobody should count out Mendez for his big-league debut in 2026, especially since the Padres' pitching depth is one of their glaring weaknesses. Mendez features plus pitches in his 95-98 mph fastball and mid-80s slider. Despite his slim build (6-foot-2, 165 pounds), Mendez can hit triple digits regularly and has one of the best sliders in the minors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
