Peoria Javelinas Padres AFL Report: October 14-15 (Salas, Sanabria stay hot, Durfee debuts)
Credit: AZL Logo
The Peoria Javelinas’ season in the Arizona Fall League continued on Monday & Tuesday, and several Padres minor leaguers returned to action.
Here is a recap of their performances:
Romeo Sanabria – 2-for-5, Two RBI Singles (10/15)
Leodalis De Vries – 1-for-5, Single (10/15)
Brendan Durfee – 1-for-3, Double (10/15)
Ethan Salas – 2-for-5, Two Doubles (10/14)
Gabe Mosser – 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K (47 pitches – 29 strikes on 10/14)
David Morgan – 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K (20 pitches – 15 strikes on 10/14)
Over the last two games, Padres minor leaguers have certainly flashed their tools at the plate. Slugger Romeo Sanabria continued to crush the baseball at the plate, roping two RBI singles on Tuesday. Sanabria has posted an .882 OPS in four games in the AFL, and has continually delivered above-average to blistering exit velocities off the bat. One of the major breakouts in the Padres system this season, the 22-year old has continued to show his form in the fall.
Brendan Durfee made his AFL debut on Tuesday against Glendale, doubling and reaching base twice in the ballgame. Durfee posted a 140 wRC+ in his time with the Lake Elsinore Storm, applauded for his eye at the plate and ability to hit for extra bases. While his defense is more raw compared to his offensive tools, he still looks to be a solid bat-first catcher with an ability to play multiple positions in the San Diego system next session.
Padres Prospect & 2024 14th round draft pick Brendan Durfee so far in his Arizona Fall League debut:
1 for 2 w/ a 2B & a Walk.
In Lake Elsinore this season:
➡️140 wRC+
➡️.418 wOBA
➡️14.1% BB% pic.twitter.com/Nr4bIRz5j8— Clark Fahrenthold (@CFahrenthold11) October 15, 2024
And then we get to the headliners in Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries. Starting with De Vries, the switch-hitter made his first appearance on the field in the AFL on Tuesday, starting at second base. This move is likely to ease De Vries’ ailing shoulder back into action, as the throws from second are shorter than those from shortstop, but it allows for the Javelinas to get another player (i.e. Brandon Durfee) into the lineup. De Vries had a lone hit in five at-bats, but he made the most of said swing, lining a single off White Sox No. 6 prospect Grant Taylor (who touched 99 on the fastball). De Vries’ return to form will likely be a storyline to monitor, as it was reported that the Padres organization has held internal discussions of when De Vries or Ethan Salas will debut.
Speaking of Ethan Salas, the Padres’ top prospect continued to light up the AFL. Salas again logged two doubles, and he has continually barreled up the baseball so far. Each of Salas’ doubles went to different areas (one to right field and one to center), and he has shown an ability to hit to all fields, which provides optimism about his bat-to-ball skills after a rough season at High-A. Salas also threw out two attempted base-stealers in the ballgame, with his pop time negating any leads taken by baserunners. The defensive upside for Salas continues to show itself, and with his bat showing improvements in the AFL, it makes sense why the Padres organization has contemplated a role for him on the 2025 roster, despite the unlikelihood of the scenario.
Two Padre pitchers saw action on October 14. Gabe Mosser started for the Javelinas, coming off a disastrous outing. Mosser had a much-needed return to form, pitching three innings and allowing a lone run. Mosser was a fixture in the Padres’ Triple-A rotation this season, and has continued to show his potential as a steady innings-eater near the Majors.
David Morgan made a relief appearance in the ninth inning of Monday’s game, allowing two runs in an inning of work. Morgan was able to strike out three batters, but four base hits led to two runs scoring. The right-hander saw a surge in walks at the Double-A level, but his AFL time has shown his command is more like his 2023 season at Single-A and this year at High-A. Morgan has impressive velocity, but will need to continue fleshing out his arsenal to make it to the Majors.
The Javelinas return to action Wednesday night in Mesa against the Solar Sox.
A born and raised San Diegan, Diego Garcia is a lifetime Padres fan and self-proclaimed baseball nerd. Diego wrote about baseball on his own site between 2021-22 before joining the East Village Times team in 2024. He also posts baseball content on his YouTube channel “Stat Nerd Baseball”, creating content around trades, hypotheticals, player analyses, the San Diego Padres, and MLB as a whole.
A 2024 graduate of San Diego State, Diego aims to grow as a writer and content creator in the baseball community.