There is an issue with the San Diego Padres regarding the catcher position. Something may need to be done for the team to succeed in 2025. 

Kyle Higashioka should be a San Diego Padre.

If A.J. Preller and his staff had the beginning of the winter to do over again, then he probably would be a member of the current roster.

Higashioka signed with the Texas Rangers in early December for two years and $12.5 million. There is also an option for the 2027 season. Averaging $6.25 million per season, the contract is a raise for the veteran catcher. Higashioka made $2.18 million in 2024, the last year before hitting free agency for the first time.

It may be a raise for the catcher, but the contract was of fair value. And certainly affordable. The Padres reported made a run at the backstop and made an offer or two, but Higashioka chose to sign in Texas.

With only two years of commitment, it was not restrictive deal. Ethan Salas is roughly two years away from serious playing time at the major league level. It made sense to secure Higashioka through the 2026 season. But that did not happen.

For whatever reason, the Padres were more focused on Roki Sasaki and sadly missed out on re-signing their starting catcher from the season before. Sasaki was the prized player to obtain this winter, but not retaining Higashioka may prove to be fatal.

In late January, the Padres signed Elias Diaz to a one-year deal for $3.5 million. It includes a mutual option for 2026 at $7 million or a $2 million buyout.

Diaz played for the Padres in 2024 but did not leave a favorable impression. He only played in 12 games for the Padres after they acquired him from the Rockies. Diaz did not earn a single start in the playoffs and only recorded one at-bat, striking out in the NLDS against the Dodgers.

Clearly, Higashioka was the preferred option, and why not, as he stabilized the pitching staff the entire season. The pitchers loved to throw to him. That, in itself, has tremendous value to a staff.

At 34, Diaz’s best days are clearly behind him. Luis Campusano brings youth, but the 26-year-old is not taking hold of the job. After an impressive 2023 season that saw him put up a .847 OPS at the major league level, Campusano struggled last season and recorded a .642 OPS. He finished the season in the minor leagues.

Campusano has defensive issues, and it appears evident that they will never go away. But, now he isn’t hitting, and that’s a real problem.

The club signed Martin Maldonado late in the winter, but he brings little with him offensively and is considered a defensive-only catcher. Brett Sullivan is on the 40-man roster but is not much of a threat to earn serious playing time in 2025. The Padres are in a tough spot. They are getting little production from the unit with the bat, and only Maldonado is considered a plus defender, but he is 38 years old. He is clearly past his prime.

They have below-average options throughout the major league roster when it comes to catching.

This spring, here are the numbers for the four Padres’ catchers who are on the roster.

Luis Campusano- .535 OPS in 22 at-bats

Elias Diaz-  .310 OPS in 22 at-bats

Brett Sullivan-  .360 OPS in 21 at-bats

Martin Maldonado-  .259 OPS in 17 at-bats

Kyle Higashioka, this spring, has recorded a 1.293 OPS with three home runs in 23 at-bats.

Talk about pain.

Ethan Salas is not ready. Neither is Brandon Valenzuela. There is no immediate help on the way internally.

For the Padres to upgrade at the position, they will likely need to make a trade. The issue is that the catching position is very weak around the league. There just isn’t much depth at the position, and those with the depth aren’t willing to move the players.

The Pirates have options at catcher but seem unwilling to move any of their trio of backstops. A.J. Preller will need to do his homework to upgrade at the position. He will need to think outside the box. The catcher’s position is pivotal to the success of a major league team. The Padres cannot realistically continue with this group.

Luis Campusano and Elias Diaz are the likely catching duo as we head into the season.

The Padres will need a huge uptick in offensive prowess from both men. They will also need each player to tap into their defensive abilities and simply get better—a tall order, but one that will be needed for a successful 2025. If this unit is an issue early on in the season, expect changes to happen right away. The Padres cannot mess around in 2025.

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.