Padres protect two prospects from next month’s Rule 5 draft

With six open spots on the 40-man roster, the Padres dipped into a thinned-out farm system to protect two minor leaguers from next month’s Rule 5 draft.

Right-handers Miguel Mendez and Garrett Hawkins — ranked No. 5 and No. 19, respectively in the organization by MLB.com — comprised the additions to the 40-man roster, bringing the Padres’ total to 36.

Mendez jumped as much as any prospect left in a system raided again at the trade deadline, as he threw 95 innings (3.22 ERA) split between low Single-A Lake Elsinore, high Single-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio. The 23-year-old had a 1.32 ERA while striking out 70 batters over 12 starts (61⅓ IP) in the Midwest League. Mendez fizzled in six starts in the Texas League (8.06 ERA), but he boasts plenty to dream on, namely a fastball that touches 100 mph and a mid-80s slider with late break.

Hawkins, 25, threw 60 innings (1.50 ERA) out of the bullpen in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, rising from Fort Wayne to San Antonio. Boasting a mid-90s fastball, a sweeper, curve and change-up, Hawkins held hitters to a .138 batting average and struck out 80 against 23 walks.

The Rule 5 draft will be held Dec. 10 at the Winter Meetings in Orlando. Players 18 or younger who have played five years in a system are eligible to be selected if not on a 40-man roster. Players 19 or older who been in the system for four years can be selected if not on a 40-man roster. Furthermore, teams pay $100,000 to select a player in the major-league phase of the draft. If that player does not stay on the 26-man roster the entire season — as reliever Stephen Kolek did as the Padres’ selection from the Mariners in 2024 — he must be offered back to his former team for $50,000.

The Padres’ eligible top-30 prospects not on the 40-man roster include left-hander Jagger Haynes (10), right-hander Francis Pena (20), first baseman Romeo Sanabria (21) and right-hander Victor Lizarraga (28).