RADIO
Padres Promote Catching Prospect Blake Hunt, Can He Establish a Consistent Role?
San Diego Padres catching prospect Blake Hunt has been called up from Triple-A El Paso ahead of the team's game on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles. Hunt is taking Padres catcher Freddy Fermin's (concussion) spot on the active roster after Fermin was placed on the seven-day concussion IL. Hunt missed the start of the 2026 season due to an oblique strain and has logged just 32 plate appearances this year at Triple-A. Across 280 plate appearances at Triple-A as a member of the Seattle Mariners system in 2025, Hunt hit .272/.368/.452 with eight home runs, 35 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base. At 27 years old, Hunt does not profile as a high-upside prospect. Still, he should have a chance to emerge as the Padres' starting catcher while Fermin is out. San Diego's other catching option on the active roster is Rodolfo Duran, who owns a .683 OPS across 38 plate appearances this season.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
