A guy who was recently cut by their current Triple-A rival has joined the San Diego Padres.
First baseman/outfielder Nick Pratto, who was cut by the Texas Rangers organization on Tuesday, was signed by the Padres, according to Triple-A El Paso broadcaster Tim Hagerty.
The Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express, and the El Paso Chihuahuas are currently playing a series. In just one day following his release, Pratto was able to pack his home locker and head to the clubhouse of the visiting squad.
While the @epchihuahuas are in Round Rock, player moving clubhouses alert: Nick Pratto was signed by San Diego after being released by Texas.
The Kansas City Royals selected the 27-year-old Pratto in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft.
As the No. 2 overall prospect for Kansas City in 2018, he swiftly rose to the top of the organization’s prospect rankings.
When he made his MLB debut in 2022, he was rated as the team’s third-best prospect. During that season, he played in 49 major league games and hit.184 with seven home runs, 20 RBIs, and an OPS of.657.
Pratto played in 95 more MLB games in 2023, hitting.232 with seven home runs, 35 RBIs, and an OPS of.660.
Since then, he hasn’t made a plate appearance in the major leagues.
With the exception of one relief appearance in a crushing loss to the New York Yankees, where he struck out, Pratto spent nearly the entirety of 2024 at Triple-A.
Apart from that, he has only played in Triple-A since 2024, spending two seasons with the Royals and one with the Rangers after signing a minor league contract with them this offseason.
Pratto hit.237 with five home runs, 17 RBIs, and an OPS of.760 in 26 games at Triple-A Round Rock this season.
He has participated in 432 games over his Triple-A career, hitting.226 with 72 home runs, 239 RBIs, and an OPS of.757.
Pratto primarily plays first base on defense, although he also spends some time in the corner outfield positions. As the top-fielding first baseman in any minor league, he was awarded the Minor League Gold Glove Award in 2021.
For now, Pratto will likely be at Triple-A El Paso, where he’ll provide organizational depth and work toward an MLB call-up.
The Padres have called up a few players over the past few weeks in Jase Bowen, Samad Taylor and Will Wagner, diminishing the depth at Triple-A.
Pratto will help restore it for now.
