Padres' Double-A Affiliate San Antonio Missions Primed for Playoff Push

Loaded roster with top prospects Ethan Salas and Braedon Karpathios leads to high expectations for the 2026 season.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:21am

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The San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, are poised for a strong 2026 season with an influx of top prospects and returning talent. The team is expected to be led by catcher Ethan Salas, the Padres' top prospect, and outfielder Braedon Karpathios, the organization's 10th-ranked prospect. Pitching will also be a strength, with left-hander Luis Gutierrez looking to build on his breakout 2025 campaign. The Missions' bullpen is also projected to be one of the best in the Texas League. Overall, the team has high expectations to make a playoff push in a competitive division.

Why it matters

The Missions' success is crucial for the Padres' long-term plans, as the team looks to develop its top prospects and build organizational depth. A strong showing from the Missions could lead to some of these players making an impact at the major league level in the near future.

The details

The Missions' roster features a mix of new faces and returning players. Catcher Ethan Salas, the Padres' top prospect, is expected to anchor the lineup and provide both offensive and defensive production. Outfielder Braedon Karpathios, the organization's 10th-ranked prospect, is also poised for a big season after hitting 15 home runs across two levels in 2025. On the mound, left-hander Luis Gutierrez is looking to build on his breakout 2025 campaign, with the goal of posting a sub-3.00 ERA and sub-4.00 FIP. The Missions' bullpen is also projected to be one of the best in the Texas League, with several high-upside arms that could emerge as the next relief pitching success stories for the Padres.

  • The Missions will play a three-game exhibition set against the Mexican League's Tecolotes De Los Dos Laredos on March 27-29 before opening the season on the road against the Tulsa Drillers on April 2.

The players

Ethan Salas

The Padres' top prospect, Salas is set to open the season as the Missions' starting catcher and has the potential to make a big impact with his combination of offensive and defensive skills.

Braedon Karpathios

The Padres' 10th-ranked prospect, Karpathios is expected to provide power and production in the Missions' lineup after hitting 15 home runs across two levels in 2025.

Luis Gutierrez

The left-handed pitcher saw his stock rise significantly this spring, and he is poised to build on his impressive 2025 campaign with the goal of posting a sub-3.00 ERA and sub-4.00 FIP.

Josh Mallitz

One of the key arms in the Missions' bullpen, Mallitz brings a mid-90s fastball and impressive secondaries, along with strong command, to the late innings.

Ryan Jackson

An interesting prospect with an elite eye at the plate and defensive versatility, Jackson will look to find his footing at Double-A and maintain a high on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

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What’s next

The Missions will play a three-game exhibition set against the Mexican League's Tecolotes De Los Dos Laredos on March 27-29 before opening the season on the road against the Tulsa Drillers on April 2.

The takeaway

The Padres' Double-A affiliate in San Antonio is poised for a strong 2026 season, with a roster loaded with top prospects and returning talent. The team's success will be crucial for the Padres' long-term plans, as they look to develop their next wave of talent and build organizational depth.