The Padres top the Phillies 5-4 on July 12, 2025, as All-Stars like Jason Adam shine. Now, the team turns its focus to the MLB Draft to find the next Jackson Merrill.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a time to be a Padres fan. One night, we're on the edge of our seats watching the bullpen lock down a tense 5-4 victory over the Phillies. The next, we're glued to our screens as the future of the franchise takes shape on MLB Draft night. With three Friars packing their bags for the All-Star Game in Atlanta, the organization gets a golden opportunity tonight to add the next Jackson Merrill or Jason Adam, starting with the 25th overall pick.
'We just want to keep the momentum rolling... Keep creating value, whether it's a guy like Jackson [Merrill] that gets here or it's a guy that ends up in a trade that helps us get a Jason Adam, Luis Arraez, more All-Stars.'
Tonight, all eyes are on scouting director Chris Kemp and the front office. Picking 25th, the Padres face the challenge of a smaller bonus pool and no second-round pick (thanks to the Nick Pivetta signing). But as Kemp's words remind us, it's about maximizing value. Look no further than 2021's first-rounder Jackson Merrill patrolling center field, or the fact that 2022 pick Dylan Lesko was a key piece in the trade that brought All-Star reliever Jason Adam to San Diego. The draft isn't just about finding players for El Paso; it's about acquiring assets that fuel the big-league club for years to come.
Before we look to the future, let's appreciate the present. Saturday's 5-4 win against Philadelphia was a classic Padres nail-biter. A three-run burst in the second inning gave them the early lead, and they scratched across crucial runs in the sixth and seventh to hold on. David Morgan snagged the win in relief, and Jeremiah Estrada was lights-out for his third save. It wasn't always pretty (two errors), but it was the kind of gutsy performance that keeps the team at 51-43 and in the thick of the NL West race. The constant bullpen management continued, with Alek Jacob getting the call-up from El Paso as Ryan Bergert was optioned, a reminder of the depth needed to survive the grind.
The grind is paying off, and the league is taking notice. The Padres are sending a formidable trio to the Midsummer Classic in Atlanta. Manny Machado, an absolute rock, earns his seventh All-Star nod as he chases 2,000 career hits. The electric Fernando Tatis Jr. makes his third appearance, boasting a dynamic season with 15 homers and 15 stolen bases. And in a fantastic story, reliever Jason Adam makes his first-ever All-Star team after being acquired in a savvy trade. It's a perfect representation of the team: a veteran leader, a homegrown superstar, and a brilliant trade acquisition all getting recognized as the best in the game.
So, as the Padres brain trust makes its pick tonight, the mission is clear: keep this machine running. The win over the Phillies shows the team's fight, the All-Star selections prove its elite talent, and the draft represents the fuel for the future. With the All-Star Game on Monday and the second half of the season looming, the Padres are firing on all cylinders, building a team that's exciting today and poised for success tomorrow.
