Padres Use Gongs for Hilarious Yet Effective Spring Training Drills

The NL West club is using gongs with Padres logos at the center for pitchers' pickoff drills.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 3:39am

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The San Diego Padres are using gongs with their logo at the center for pitchers' pickoff drills during Major League spring training. The unorthodox training method has been part of the Padres' Minor League camp for a few years, and the players have embraced the unique approach, finding it entertaining and effective.

Why it matters

The Padres' use of gongs in their spring training drills is an example of the creative and unconventional training methods that some MLB teams are experimenting with to keep their players engaged and improve their skills. These types of innovative practices can help teams stand out and potentially gain a competitive edge.

The details

The Padres have been using the gongs for competitions among Minor League players, whether it's catchers throwing to second base, infielders throwing home, or pitchers throwing pickoffs. The gongs create a distinct sound when hit, which the players find entertaining and motivating. Right-hander David Morgan said, "You hit it right in the middle, it makes that noise. And once you hear it, you're like, 'I kind of want to do that again.'"

  • The Padres have been using the gongs for a few years on the Minor League side of their spring training camp.
  • The Padres are using the gongs for pickoff drills during the 2026 Major League spring training.

The players

David Morgan

A right-handed pitcher for the San Diego Padres.

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What they’re saying

“It just makes things a little bit more entertaining. You hit it right in the middle, it makes that noise. And once you hear it, you're like, 'I kind of want to do that again.'”

— David Morgan, Padres pitcher

What’s next

The Padres will continue to use the gongs throughout spring training as they prepare for the upcoming MLB season.

The takeaway

The Padres' use of gongs in their spring training drills is a creative and unconventional approach that helps keep their players engaged and motivated. This type of innovative training method is an example of how some MLB teams are experimenting with new ways to improve their players' skills and potentially gain a competitive edge.