Annie Heilbrunn

2 weeks ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

The Padres gave left-hander Adrián Morejón an $11 million signing bonus as the top pick of their 2016 international amateur spending spree. Morejon quickly rose through the minor league system and was part of the 2019 All-Star Futures Game before making his major league debut that year at just 20 years old. Once a top prospect projected for a spot in the starting rotation, his career was derailed by injuries and setbacks, including Tommy John surgery in 2021.

3 weeks ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

When Padres catcher Martín Maldonado was drafted in the 27th round of the 2004 MLB Draft, Usher’s “Burn” topped the Billboard charts, Facebook was still just for Harvard students and LeBron James was an NBA rookie. Maldonado was 17. Jackson Merrill, now his teammate, was 13 months and 20 days old. Making it to the major leagues is rare enough; staying there is even harder. Fewer players have worn a big-league uniform than can fill all the seats at Petco Park.

4 weeks ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

The Padres signed pitcher Nick Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million contract in mid-February, bolstering their starting rotation with the 32-year-old right-hander. A native of Victoria, British Columbia, Pivetta was selected by the Washington Nationals in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015. He made his major league debut with the Phillies in 2017.

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Annie Heilbrunn

Share Baltimore native Gavin Sheets is the son of Larry Sheets, who played eight seasons in the major leagues. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2017, the younger Sheets made his major league debut in 2021 and appeared in the postseason that same year. After a decline in production during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Sheets was designated for assignment last offseason. Sheets later connected with Padres manager Mike Shildt and signed a minor-league contract with San Diego in February.

1 month ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Annie Heilbrunn

Baltimore native Gavin Sheets is the son of Larry Sheets, who played eight seasons in the major leagues. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2017, the younger Sheets made his major league debut in 2021 and appeared in the postseason that same year. After a decline in production during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Sheets was designated for assignment last offseason. Sheets later connected with Padres manager Mike Shildt and signed a minor-league contract with San Diego in February.