Coming into the season, the San Diego Padres appeared to have a major issue with their catching situation.

Luis Campusano completely fell out of favor with the team as the Padres rolled with Martin Maldonado and Elias Diaz to start the season. Both men were signed in the winter as free agents, and the Padres even secured Maldonado on a minor league deal. Each backstop was a mere afterthought for most of the league.

The catching duo did not provide inspiration coming into the season. I wrote about it. At the time, it looked like the Padres indeed had a catching problem. 

Early in the 2025 season, that is not the case.

The Padres lost their first game of the 2025 season a few Fridays ago against the Cubs by the score of 3-1. Martin Maldonado provided their only run. The rest of the Padres could not solve Shota Imanaga as he went 7.1 innings and allowed only four hits in the game.

The veteran had no issues with the lefty and provided offensive punch for the Padres in a time of need.

Maldonado is a defensive-minded catcher. Even in his prime, his bat was never what brought him fame in the game. The ability was there for a key hit or homer occasionally, but he hit in the bottom of the lineup for a reason.

Martin Maldonado has enjoyed a 15-year career in the majors because he is a calming force behind the plate. Pitchers love to throw to him.

This week. Kyle Hart tells Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune that Maldonado spoke with the pitcher as Hart was dealing with a rough start to his Padre career. “He talked to me in Sacramento a little bit- just about who I am as a pitcher, what my identity is,” Hart said. The veteran catcher never caught Hart in the spring and wanted to know about him. “Communication is key in this game,” Maldonado explains.

His influences in the game go way beyond the stat sheet. The veteran does things that cannot be recognized.

At the age of 38, the veteran catcher has found the fountain of youth with the Padres. Well, at least for the first few weeks of the season.

Maldonado has started eight of the Padres’ first 16 games, and Elias Diaz started the other eight. Moving forward, the duo appears to be a solid tandem. Diaz comes with a better track record of offense, so they play well off one another. Maldonado owns a .709 OPS in his first 21 at-bats. Diaz is chipping in with a .610 OPS in his first 28 at-bats. It is early, but both men are playing well enough to be useful.

Last season, Maldonando only played in 48 games for the White Sox. He recorded a negative WAR for the first time since the 2013 season when he was 26 and playing with Milwaukee. Instead of hanging up the cleats with over $32 million earned at the MLB level throughout his career, Maldonado wanted one more shot.

He is getting that in San Diego and playing like a youngster. The sad reality is that his time in the majors is ending. Maldonado knows that. He utilizes every moment with the Padres to turn back the hands of time and get the most out of his curtain call. His infectious love of the game is proving much for the Padres as they prepare for a long season.

The Padres’ early success this season is mainly due to the production of their catchers.

Martin Maldonando provides remarkable leadership skills behind the plate. If the Padres can get any production from him with the bat, they will be in a great place. It is early in the season. But, so far, Maldonado has discovered the fountain of youth in San Diego.

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.