San Diego Padres
· 2026-07-13
San Diego Padres selected right‑handed pitcher Coleman Borthwick, a top‑rated Auburn commit, in the 2026 MLB Draft, adding a fresh arm to a club that sits 10th in the National League with a 48‑48 record after a 5‑4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on July 12.
Coleman Borthwick is a 19‑year‑old right‑hander who committed to Auburn University this spring. He posted a 2.45 ERA over 55 innings in his senior high‑school season and struck out 78 batters. Scouts praised his three‑quarter fastball that tops 94 mph and a developing slider. The Padres’ scouting director, Tim Dillard, highlighted Borthwick’s poise under pressure, noting his performance in the Under‑18 World Series where he recorded 12 strikeouts in a single game.
San Diego is in the middle of a rebuild, and the front office is stocking its farm system with high‑upside arms. Borthwick fits a profile the Padres have chased for years: a young pitcher with a solid secondary offering and a track record of durability. With the club’s rotation still anchored by veterans like Blake Snell and the emerging talent of MacKenzie Gore, adding Borthwick gives the organization depth and a potential future starter for the rotation’s back end.
The Padres used a second‑round selection on Borthwick, signaling they value pitching depth over a high‑profile position player this year. The move aligns with their recent pattern of targeting college‑ready talent that can accelerate to Double‑A within a season. If Borthwick follows the typical development curve, he could see his first professional start in the Arizona Complex League this summer, then move to the High‑A affiliate by next spring.
Borthwick will report to the Padres’ rookie‑level camp in late July, where he’ll work with pitching coach Mike Shildt to refine his command and secondary pitches. The organization plans to monitor his workload closely, aiming to keep his innings under 100 in his debut season. For San Diego, the addition of Borthwick adds another piece to a farm system that already includes top prospects like Luis Campusano and Fernando Tatis III, reinforcing a pipeline that could feed the major‑league club as it chases a playoff spot.
The Padres entered the weekend with a 48‑48 record, holding 10th place in the NL and riding a two‑game winning streak after beating Toronto 5‑4 on July 12. While the draft pick won’t impact the current roster, it underscores a long‑term vision: building a pitching staff capable of supporting a competitive team in the near future. Fans can expect to see Borthwick’s name appear on the Padres’ prospect lists soon, and his progress will be a storyline to watch as the club aims to climb the standings.