With the San Diego Padres in need of help in left field, why is Tirso Ornelas in Triple-A? 

The 2025 season began remarkably well for the San Diego Padres, as they won 14 of their first 17 games.

Since then? Let’s say, things haven’t been going quite as well.

The team is getting no production from the bottom half of the lineup. Jake Cronenworth and Xander Bogaerts are both slumping, and the Padres are getting barely anything from the left field and catcher position when it comes to the bat. To top it all off, Jackson Merrill has made two different trips to the IL this season.

The team is a mess offensively.

Too bad the team doesn’t have a young hitting prospect in Triple-A to give at-bats to.

But wait, they do.

Tirso Ornelas is 25, a native of Tijuana, Mexico, and has been in the system since March of 2017. He is the team’s No. 11 prospect.

The 2024 minor league player of the year for the Padres set career highs in batting average (.297), games played (128), hits (144), home runs (23), RBI (89), runs scored (76), slugging percentage (.497), and OPS (.864). It was a breakout year for Ornelas, who has regressed in the system and was losing momentum as a viable prospect.

Ornelas is blessed with a beautiful swing, but his timing has failed him in the minors at times. The outfielder was promoted this year and played in seven games, going 1-for-14. It was disappointing, but did he really get a fair shake at consistent at-bats in the majors? No. He didn’t.

The right-handed thrower has not made an error in left field all season in 254 Triple-A innings and is competent at the position. Ornelas is young, athletic, and a left-handed hitter. There is a lot to like here. That is why he is a top prospect in the Padres’ system.

With the Padres toiling in left field, it is strange that Ornelas was just not given a week’s worth of at-bats to see what he can do. At this point, the Padres cannot continue to rotate Tyler Wade, Brandon Lockridge, and Bryce Johnson out there and expect to keep up with the powerhouses in the division.

Luis Campusano was given multiple opportunities to make the 2025 Padres roster. His repeated promotion is because San Diego needs him to be productive. The Padres covet offensive production from the catcher position. That is another hole in the lineup. Campusano is regarded as a plus hitter but is 0-for-18 this season with nine strikeouts. He is currently in El Paso.

If Campusano can be given multiple opportunities, why not Ornelas?

In El Paso, Ornelas is presently hitting .297 with a .798 OPS. In 182 at-bats, he has only three homers. The fact that he played so many games in Triple-A is puzzling, as the Padres’ issues in left field have been present virtually all season long. Ornelas is a line drive hitter. Power is not exactly his forte. But his offensive prowess and unknown upside are enticing. Or at least it should be?

The Mexican outfielder has already succeeded at the Triple-A level. He is ready now. Furthermore, leaving him to toil in the minors will likely be detrimental to his psyche. Currently on the 7-day IL, you would expect the Padres to reevaluate Ornelas when he returns.

Tirso Ornelas has a lot of potential. The Padres will eventually recall the outfielder. He needs another chance to play. When healthy and promoted, consistent at-bats will be the key to his success. It may be rough to see him play as a young player, but the sweet-swinging lefty may surprise you. At this point, there is nothing to lose for the Padres.

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.