The San Diego Padres need catching help.

Luis Campusano and Brett Sullivan are the only catchers on the 40-man roster. Brandon Valenzuela is also capable of helping soon, but the defensive specialist is a year or two away from seriously contributing at the major league level.

This week, the Baltimore Orioles released catcher Blake Hunt.

After signing Andrew Kittredge, Baltimore released the former Padres farmhand as they needed room on the 40-man roster.

The Orioles currently have Adley Rutschman, one of the best catchers in the league, on their roster. Behind him, Baltimore signed Gary Sanchez this winter as his backup. At this point, there was no room for Hunt, and he became expendable.

The Padres originally drafted Hunt in the 2017 draft. The second-round pick was selected out of high school in Santa Ana.

Drafted in the same year, Luis Campusano passed Hunt on the Padres’ catching depth chart. The backstop was dealt in 2020 in a prospect package to the Tampa Bay Rays for Blake Snell.

The Rays traded Hunt to Seattle in November of 2023. He spent a little over a year with the Rays and was promptly traded to Baltimore in May of last season.

Hunt is regarded as a polished defender. He has always controlled a pitching staff well, and most pitchers love to throw to him. They rave about his communication skills.

The right-handed hitter has plus power in his bat. The swing can get a bit long, but there is an upside to the 26-year-old. He has shown a plus bat in stretches and it is just a matter of unlocking a consistent approach at the plate. The Padres could definitely use his glovework, as both the rostered catchers are viewed as below-average defenders.

Blake Hunt has yet to make his major league debut, though he did spend some days on the Orioles active roster last year after James McCann went down with an injury. Hunt is eager to prove his worth and is just looking for an opportunity.

Early reports are that there is a ton of interest in the catcher. There should be, as catching is a weak market around the league.

The San Diego Padres would not be required to pay a hefty price tag for Hunt either. The Orioles need to trade him within a week, and there will be a trade somewhere. The young catcher will not be released. A young pitcher may do the trick for the Orioles in acquiring Hunt.

The Padres are very knowledgeable of what Blake Hunt brings to the table. They know his skill level. A reunion with their draft pick could be beneficial.

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. 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.