With Salas settled in San Diego, who's next in Padres' pipeline?

For years, Salas was the crown jewel of the Padres' system -- a system that was built and then rebuilt and then rebuilt again. Even through all of their trade sprees, the Padres hung onto Salas, and it sure looks like they have their catcher of the future as a result.

Technically, Salas remains the Padres’ top prospect . But here’s guessing that will no longer be the case a month or two into the 2027 season, when Salas graduates from that list.

So where does that leave this San Diego system? There’s not much coming at the upper levels of the Minors, though there are some upside pieces at the lower levels.

RHP Tucker Musgrove: Not counting Salas, Musgrove is the only one of MLB Pipeline’s top 10 Padres prospects with a chance to impact the big league club next season. And based on his 2026 season, you’d think it’s a very good chance. Musgrove ( San Diego’s No. 7 prospect ) struck out a whopping 68 hitters over 34 1/3 innings -- nearly two hitters per inning. He’ll need to clean up his walk issues. But the stuff -- a big-time four-seam fastball, plus a sinker and a sweeper -- clearly plays. The Padres are never short on electric bullpen arms -- and they might have another on the way.