A little less than one year ago, the Padres moved six prospects to the Baltimore Orioles for two major league players. Let’s take a look at the deal.

Last July 31, the San Diego Padres sent a group of young players to the Orioles for Ryan O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano.

It had to happen. The Padres needed to strengthen the bench and their left field options.

Boston Bateman (LHP), Brandon Butterworth (INF), Victor Figueroa (OF/1B), Cobb Hightower (SS), Tyson Neighbors (RHP), and Tanner Smith (RHP) were sent east in the deal that was to provide the Padres with two veteran players for their playoff push.

Looking back, this will probably not age well for the Padres.

Again, the deal was a necessity, though. It is not wise to prospect hoard, but a few of the men traded are continuing their upward trajectory.

Victor Figueroa may be the big loss when this is said and done. The big left-handed hitter is showing even more power in High Single-A and continues to walk as well. In 50 games this season, Figueroa owns a .949 OPS and 15 homers. In 139 total minor league games, the big lefty has slugged 27 home runs and driven in 97 runs. He has put up a .383 OBP in that span.

The 22-year-old slugger strikes out, but his game is reminiscent of James Wood. The modern era of ballplayers strikes out. It is what they do in the other at-bats that is the key to their success. Figueroa hits the ball the other way with power and will take a base on balls. There is a polished feel to his game. He may be a force in the American League one day.

Boston Bateman is a beast. The lefty, nicknamed Bigfoot, is 6-foot-8 and 240 lbs. He is aggressive in his style of pitching and continues to strike out batters at a high rate. In 132.1 innings pitched, he has punched out 153 minor league batters. During that span, the southpaw owns a 3.88 ERA and a 1.413 WHIP.

The 20-year-old is very young and still figuring out his game. This season, while in High-A ball with Figueroa, Bateman has recorded a 3.38 ERA in 45.1 innings pitched. He’s struck out 59 and walked 22 men. Control will be the key for this big lefty to move through the system. There is a lot to like about his upside.

Brandon Butterworth battled through injuries since being traded to the Orioles, but the 23-year-old is in Double-A and owns a .787 OPS in 25 games. Fellow infielder Cobb Hightower also arrived in the Orioles system and has not been able to stay healthy. The 21-year-old Hightower is in Low Single-A and put up a .759 OPS in his first 10 games before coming down with a hamstring injury. Both infielders come with upside, but there is a long road ahead for them.

Tyson Neighbors and Tanner Smith provide the Orioles with pitching depth in the minors. Neighbors is currently shelved with an injury at the Double-A level, and Smith is also banged up, having yet to make his 2026 debut. Both men are middle reliever-type pitchers who may one day make it to the majors. They are not a sure thing, though.

It will take time to really dig into this deal and see if the Padres overpaid for two veterans.

Figueroa and Bateman come with their ceilings, but they are both in Single-A and not close to major league service time. When you chase a World Series title, prospects are used to improve the major league team. The Padres are no strangers to this formula, as their former prospects are sprinkled throughout the league. Baltimore is just one of many cities that A.J. Preller has left his mark on.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.