Ian Kinsler’s retirement over the weekend opened up both a spot on the 40-man and active rosters. The Padres have also moved Luis Urias and Xavier Edwards this offseason, clearing the way for the likes of middle infield prospects CJ Abrams and Gabriel Arias to rise to prominence in the organization.

A more immediate name to watch: Esteban Quiroz.

The 27-year-old Quiroz mashed a career-high 19 homers in the hitter happy Pacific Coast League in 2019 and has already tallied four through 19 games this winter in Mexico.

Quiroz also has four doubles and 10 walks against 13 strikeouts in penning a .273/.375/.515 batting line thus far with Los Mochis.


The Padres acquired Quiroz from the Red Sox last November for right-hander Colten Brewer. He signed as a minor league free agent a year before that, giving him two more years of development before the Padres have to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Not that he’ll necessarily need that much time.

He hit 16 homers as the Mexican Pacific League’s rookie of the year in 2016 and had an extensive international career before getting his start in affiliate ball.

Quiroz had a .953 OPS in rising to Double-A his first year with the Red Sox and hit .271/.384/.539 with 52 walks against 82 strikeout sin 96 games last year with Triple-A El Paso.


With Kinsler and Urias jettisoned, Jurickson Profar is the likely Padres’ projected starter at second base ahead of utility man Greg Garcia.

Of course, without much to prove in the minors, the time may be ripe for Quiroz to carve out a role in the majors.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

OF Manuel Margot (San Diego) is hitting .200/.243/.286 with four RBIs, one walk and nine strikeouts in nine games with Este. He is 2-for-2 on stolen base attempts.

(San Diego) is hitting .200/.243/.286 with four RBIs, one walk and nine strikeouts in nine games with Este. He is 2-for-2 on stolen base attempts. OF Franchy Cordero (San Diego) has paired one homer, four doubles and 10 RBIs with a .364/.462/.576 batting line over nine games with Escogido. He has struck out 12 times against six walks.

(San Diego) has paired one homer, four doubles and 10 RBIs with a .364/.462/.576 batting line over nine games with Escogido. He has struck out 12 times against six walks. 2B Ivan Castillo (Amarillo) is hitting .251/.284/.309 with one homer, 18 RBIs and seven steals in 46 games with Escogido.

(Amarillo) is hitting .251/.284/.309 with one homer, 18 RBIs and seven steals in 46 games with Escogido. C Webster Rivas (El Paso) is hitting .204/.264/.224 with a double, four RBIs and four runs scored in 17 games with Cibao.

MEXICAN WINTER LEAGUE

RHP Gerardo Reyes (San Diego) has eight saves in his 13 appearances with Obregon, striking out 15 against eight walks over 13 1/3 innings (1.35 ERA). He has scattered 15 hits over his outings.


AUSTRALIAN WINTER LEAGUE