For the 10th consecutive year, the Padres will look on when the playoffs begin this October. They currently own the majors’ sixth-worst record and are on pace to finish with their fewest victories since 2008.

Petco Park, however, will not sit completely empty amid the bustle of the postseason. In a first, the Padres will showcase many of their top prospects in two exhibition games Oct. 6-7 against counterparts from the Texas Rangers. At least one of the exhibitions will be made open to the public.

The exhibition(s) will be free for Padres season-ticket holders. Others interested in attending will be asked to make a small donation to the Padres Foundation for Children. More details will be released at a later date.

The Padres and Rangers used Petco for a similar event after the end of last season, but “we didn’t really publicize it,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said. While this year’s exhibit is designed to drum up fan interest, it also will provide a group of young players a taste of their ultimate goal. Having spent more than $13 million on the June draft and roughly five times that in the international market, the Padres believe they have amassed a bumper crop of talent that will one day make an impact in a major league setting.


In mid-September, the organization’s higher-ceiling prospects will head to the Padres’ spring-training complex in Arizona for Fall Instructional League. This year, the Padres will transfer the annual development program to Petco during the first week of October.

The players will arrive a couple days before the scheduled exhibitions to continue working with coaches and instructors. The full “instructs” roster has not yet been announced, but it will number in the dozens, including No. 1 draft pick Cal Quantrill, California League MVP Luis Urias and many of the recent international signees.

“Last year, it wasn’t the whole instructs group (that went to Petco),” Preller said. “This time, we’ll bring the whole instructs group.”

Quantrill promoted, Asuaje honored

Quantrill, the draft’s eighth overall selection, has been promoted from short-season Tri-City to Low Single-A Fort Wayne.


Quantrill, 21, began his professional career with the Arizona League Padres before moving up to Tri-City, where he posted a 1.93 ERA in five starts. The right-hander, who underwent Tommy John surgery 15 months ago, has shown excellent control, recording four walks and 44 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings.

Quantrill will make his Single-A debut Wednesday against Great Lakes.

Elsewhere Tuesday, Padres infield prospect Carlos Asuaje was named the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year. This marks the second consecutive season a Triple-A El Paso player has won the award, with Padres rookie outfielder Alex Dickerson doing so in 2015.

Asuaje, who had just been named the second baseman on the All-PCL Team, entered Tuesday hitting .322 with a .378 on-base percentage, 30 doubles, 10 triples, seven home runs and nine steals. His 165 hits were the most among Triple-A players and the fourth-most in the minors.


The 24-year-old is one of multiple El Paso players who could be called up to San Diego after the PCL playoffs end.

MLB, MLBPA donate to flood relief

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association on Tuesday announced they would jointly donate $250,000 to assist flood victims in Louisiana. The contribution will be divided among three charitable organizations — the American Red Cross, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and High Socks for Hope — helping with relief efforts

Several major leaguers from the Louisiana region, including Padres second baseman Ryan Schimpf, were consulted in determining which organizations would receive funding support. Schimpf is one of nine former LSU players who began the “Pitch in with Former Tigers” campaign to raise money for the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund.

Notable

After skipping a turn in the rotation, Padres left-hander Christian Friedrich will start Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Whether Friedrich, whose workload has been closely monitored, makes more starts after that will be evaluated going forward.

Right-hander Tyson Ross (right shoulder inflammation), who made his first rehab start with High Single-A Lake Elsinore on Thursday, was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday. His next rehab start will be scheduled depending on how he feels after the session. “It’s always going to be at Tyson’s pace right now,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “There’s no reason to rush him.”

Infielders Alexi Amarista (right hamstring strain) and Jemile Weeks (right hamstring strain), both on rehab assignments with Lake Elsinore, are nearing returns. Green said Amarista is closer and could rejoin the team Friday in Los Angeles.

Outfielder Jon Jay (right forearm fracture) could progress to taking batting practice on the field this week.

Outfielder Jabari Blash (sprained left middle finger) was recently shut down from hitting for a week and does not appear close to a return.

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