San Diego Padres affiliates went 2-2 on Wednesday.

Here is a recap of the day’s events.

Lake Elsinore Storm (Loss 7-3 to San Jose Giants) (9-12, 3rd in Cal South)

* Dillon Head: 1-for-4, with a walk

*J.D. Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs & a Walk 

*Kobe Robinson: 2.1 IP, 2Ks

The Storm lost their series opener to the San Jose Giants by the final of 7-3. 

Offensively, it was a struggle for the Storm, as they would muster just four hits in Wednesday night’s loss. From his leadoff spot, Padres No.6 prospect Dillon Head would reach base twice, going one for four with a single and a walk. 

The biggest, or most impactful, night at the dish would come from 18-year-old catcher J.D Gonzalez as he went one for three, with his lone knock being a two-out RBI single. Gonzalez would also work a walk, raising his BB% to 14.8% on the season. J.D. Gonzalez also has a 10.5 SwSrt% thus far. 

It’s a very small 30-plate appearance sample size, but in that brief time, J.D. Gonzalez has shown plus-plate discipline and quality bat-to-ball skills at the Single-A level. Combine that with one of the best defensive arms in the system, and he makes for a player who could shoot up the Padres prospect rankings come mid-season. 

On the pitching end, starter Jose Luis Reyes would go 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. 

Kobe Robinson would also stand out in relief as he went 2.1 innings, allowing zero runs on three hits while punching out two. Robinson has had a quality start to 2024, as he’s punched out hitters with regularity, posting a 31.6% K% in 15.1 innings of work. That’s inside the top 15 in the California League rankings. 

As well, Robinson’s command has also improved, as he has lowered his BB% by 4% this season, going from 11% in 23 to just 7% in 2024. The 23-year-old from Chattanooga State CC

Fort Wayne TinCaps  (7-6 Loss to Lake County Captains ) (8-12, 5th MID EAST)

* Nathan Ortiz: 2-for-4, 2 HRs & RBIs

*Jagger Haynes: 6 IP, 1 ER, 1 K

*Ethan Salas: 0-for-5 w/ a RBI

The Fort Wayne would again fall short of victory as they were toppled on Wednesday Afternoon 7-6 by the Lake County Captains

Nathan Ortiz would continue to set the Midwest League ablaze as the 25-year-old would go two for four with two towering home runs deep into the Lake County Sky. With his two-homer night, Ortiz now owns a wRC+ north of 150, 15% BB% , and a .410 wOBA.

The UVA alum has been the best hitter at Fort Wayne to this point in the season. If he continues this trajectory, given his age and the Padres’ aggressive promotion nature, Ortiz could see Double-A relatively soon.   

While Ortiz would stay hot, Padres top prospect Ethan Salas would continue to struggle early in 2024, going hitless in five at-bats. He has just an 84 wRC+ in 78 plate appearances into 2024. 

The silver lining? His plate discipline/ pitch recognition remains strong as he is still walking at a 16.7% clip, even with a 15% SwSrt%. As the weather warms up, the hope is so should his bat. 

On the mound, Jagger Hayers would be solid for Fort Wayne. To this point in the season, Haynes had not made it past the third inning in any of his first three starts. Against Lake County, however, he would work six innings and allow just one earned run on four hits, three walks, and punching out just one. 

A perfect outing? Far from it. But for the Padres No.24 prospect, it’s a step in the right direction. 

San Antonio Missions (4-0 Win v. Arkansas ) (12-11, 3rd in TEX  South)

* Jakob Marsee: 1-for-2, HR & 2BB’s 

*Adam Mazur: 6 IP, 0 ERs, 6 Ks

Padres No.7 Prospect Adam Mazur had his toughest outing of the season last time he took the bump for Double-A San Antonio. But in his start against Arkansas, he would return to his normally dominant self, going six innings, giving up zero runs on four hits and two walks, while punching out six. 

With his six clean innings of work, Mazur lowered his ERA to 2.39. 

Mazur’s slider, fastball, and changeup have become a deadly trio, as he has continued to produce high Whiff & strikeout numbers. His 31.6% K% ranks 8th best in the Texas League, while his 2.23 FIP and 2.64 xFIP rank 1st and 2nd respectively in the Texas League. 

At the dish, the Missions would get a bit of a breakout game from CF Jakob Marsee. The Central Michigan Chippewas baseball alum would collect a 1-for-2 night that featured a mammoth solo home run to right in the top of the 7th. 

Along with the tape measure shot, Marsee would work two walks. While Marsee’s bat has struggled at times to start the season, his plate discipline remains elite; posting a BB%> 16% & a SwSrt% of just 8%. Both rank inside the top 20 in the Texas League. 

Also providing a big day for the Missions offense would be Padres No.13 prospect Nathan Martorella, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk.

EL Paso Chihuahuas (6-4 win v. Sugar land Space Cowboys  ) (13-16, 4th in PCL East ) 

*Mason McCoy: 2-for-3 w/ a HR & RBIs

*Sean Reynolds:  2.1 IP, 4 K’s

For the EL Paso Chihuahuas, it was a rather lower-scoring affair at the launching pad that is Southwest Stadium. Even still, El Paso’s offense played plenty of long ball in their 6-4 win. 

Mason McCoy put together the most impressive 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an opposite-field three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning. 

 Also homering in the win would be Brett Sullivan, as he swatted a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to give El Past a 5-4 lead. Others pitching in for the El Paso offense would be Donovan Solano, as the 36-year old first basemen went 2-for-4 with an RBI 

On the pitching end of things for El Paso, it was the bullpen who shined in the win. 

Sean Reynolds, Kevin Kopps, Nick Hernandez, and Austin Davis would combine for 5.1 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just one hit combined between the four of them. 

The most eye-popping performance would come from Reynolds. The 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher would go 2.1 innings, allow zero hits, and punch out four. Reynolds would hit as high as 97.8 mph on the radar gun on the night. 

Thursday’s probable pitchers

Lake Elsinore: TDB

Fort Wayne: TBD

San Antonio: Robby Snelling 

El Paso: Randy Vásquez

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.