The Padres have signed first baseman Nick Pratto to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A El Paso. The move comes just one day after the Rangers released Pratto, ending his brief stay with Texas for the 2024 season.
Pratto joined the Rangers on a minor league deal in April and spent the first month of the season on the development list. That designation is typically used when a player is working on mechanical adjustments outside of game action. He eventually reported to Triple-A Round Rock and played in 26 games there, hitting .237/.287/.473 in 101 plate appearances. Pratto slugged five home runs but also struck out 33 times while only walking six times.
A first-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2017, Pratto has struggled to find consistent success at the Triple-A level. He hit .216/.295/.364 for Kansas City between 2022 and 2023 and made one appearance as a late-game substitute in 2024. Over six Triple-A seasons, he has a .226/.327/.430 slash line with a 30% strikeout rate.
The Padres are giving Pratto a chance to prove himself in a new system. El Paso is a familiar environment for him, having played there in the past. His power potential remains intriguing, but his high strikeout rate has been a concern throughout his career. San Diego’s move is low-risk and could provide depth for the Chihuahuas as the season winds down.
The Rangers’ release of Pratto cleared space on their 40-man roster and allowed them to focus on players with more consistent performance. For the Padres, the signing gives them an extra bat with experience in the upper minors. Pratto will aim to show he can adjust and contribute as the Padres evaluate their options for the remainder of the season.
Pratto is expected to begin his new chapter with El Paso on Friday. His performance over the next few weeks could determine if he sees any time in San Diego before the end of the season.
The Houston Astros have signed outfielder Trenton Brooks to a minor league contract. Brooks is already in the lineup for the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land. The move gives the Astros more left-handed hitting options in their outfield depth.
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