The San Diego Padres are on the hunt for pitching help as the MLB trade deadline approaches. With their rotation struggling, they are eyeing Tomoyuki Sugano, currently with the Baltimore Orioles. Sugano, in his rookie season after a long tenure in Japan, could fill a much-needed spot in the Padres' rotation. Despite having faced injury challenges with pitchers like Michael King and Yu Darvish, Sugano's finesse pitches may provide immediate support. While he may not rack up strikeouts, his command and experience could add depth to the team.

Two Ball State baseball players, Dylan Grego and Jacob Hartlaub, have made their mark in the 2025 MLB Draft, being selected 17 picks apart. Grego was chosen in the 13th round by the San Diego Padres, while Hartlaub was picked by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 14th round. Both athletes received All-MAC honors this season, highlighting their impressive collegiate performance.

Grego, a junior shortstop, boasted a remarkable .376 batting average with a .624 slugging percentage this year, demonstrating his offensive prowess with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs. Hartlaub, a senior pitcher, secured a 6-2 record during conference play, showcasing his potential on the mound. Their selections further solidify Ball State’s reputation for developing talent ready for the professional ranks.

Clay Edmondson, a right-handed pitcher from UNC Asheville, was selected 430th overall by the San Diego Padres in the 2025 MLB Draft on July 14. This marks a significant milestone as he becomes the highest-ever draft pick from UNC Asheville. Following three successful seasons at UNC Asheville, he previously committed to Tennessee. Edmondson won the Big South Conference Pitcher of the Year award in 2025, completing the regular season with an impressive 2.20 ERA and leading the league with 87 strikeouts.

Edmondson's tenure at UNC Asheville has seen him accumulate 156⅓ innings pitched and 156 career strikeouts. The Padres' manager, Mike Shildt, is a former player from the university, further strengthening the connection between Edmondson and San Diego. He is set to sign with the Padres and forgo his final season with the Volunteers, marking a pivotal step in his professional career.

The San Diego Padres selected high school standout Kruz Schoolcraft as their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, opting to focus on his pitching prowess. Standing at 6-foot-8, Schoolcraft dominated in his senior year with a remarkable 0.53 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 40 innings, alongside a formidable 1.657 OPS at the plate. Despite excelling as a two-way player, the Padres emphasized that his quickest route to the majors is as a pitcher only, a path endorsed by both the team and the player.

Chris Kemp, the Padres’ Director of International Scouting, highlighted their strategy to prepare Schoolcraft for a pitching-only career, while the prospect himself echoed a desire to reach the big leagues swiftly. The decision underscores the shift in MLB towards prioritizing specialization, even as the allure of two-way talents like Shohei Ohtani looms large in the sport.

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the San Diego Padres are focusing their efforts on acquiring a catcher and a left fielder to bolster their struggling offense. Despite some links to starting pitching, recent reports indicate that the Padres are content with their current rotation, which features Yu Darvish, who is working through rust, and Michael King, who is progressing toward a return. Veteran Nick Pivetta has emerged as the team's most reliable starter this season with an impressive 2.88 ERA.

With the potential return of Joe Musgrove and the solid performances from other pitchers like Randy Vasquez, the Padres appear to be shifting their focus to improving their offense. General Manager A.J. Preller and manager Mike Shildt may prioritize offensive trades over pitching at the deadline, as they look to enhance their chances in the postseason.