No need to fret, Padres fans. If Tanner Scott, one of the most dangerous relievers in Major League Baseball, is heading out the door, there could be an in-house solution available in due time. Scott was traded from Miami to San Diego as a rental in late July to bolster a club that was looking to make a big-time postseason push, so he was never guaranteed to remain with the Pads for long.
Scott got the job done with the Padres, posting 31 strikeouts and a 2.73 ERA in 26 1/3 innings during the regular season, adding five scoreless playoff appearances against the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. He will be the most sought-after reliever in baseball this winter and likely won’t return to San Diego. Although that is a difficult farewell, the Padres may have a fitting replacement in the minor leagues as a response to the flamethrower’s departure.
Padres’ top prospect Francis Pena could fill in for Tanner Scott in 2025
Francis Pena, San Diego’s No. 13 overall prospect and eighth-best pitching prospect, could be the next guy in line. Padres insider AJ Cassavell seems to think that Pena is primed for a slot in the bullpen in 2025. Backed by a 70-grade fastball and solid run on his pitches, Pena is definitely an arm to be excited about moving forward.
Pena worked his way up from High-A to Triple-A this season. The 23-year-old struggled a bit in three of his 15 Triple-A appearances, which inflated his ERA to 5.17, but in those 12 other outings with El Paso, he surrendered only two runs in 13 innings. If he has a good month to kick off the Triple-A season in 2025, that could sway the Padres to be aggressive, which often leans into their preference.
He has a few kinks to work out, but Pena is projected to be a Major League reliever next year. There’s a reason he skyrocketed through the minors, among a few other Friars youngsters, so the Padres may have a great option with an All-Star in Tanner Scott likely setting sail for another organization.
