Padres fans are right to expect this team to change over the next couple seasons as it creeps closer to contention (hopefully). A.J. Preller and the rest of the front office have stocked the minor league system with talent through the draft, trades and international signings. That bodes well for future, low-cost, controllable major league rosters. However, it also means that most years the team a) won’t be losing many players to free agency and b) will have a wave of minor leaguers who need 40-man roster spots because of excellent development and/or the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 2018-2019 offseason is the first of those years.

Here’s a look at players who could push for a spot on the 40-man roster this offseason or at some point in 2019.

Current 40-Man Roster

Catchers (5):

A.J. Ellis, Austin Hedges, Raffy Lopez, Francisco Mejia, Luis Torrens

Infielders (9):

Carlos Asuaje, Allen Cordoba, Freddy Galvis, Javy Guerra, Eric Hosmer, Jose Pirela, Cory Spangenberg, Christian Villanueva, Luis Urias

Outfielders (7):

Franchy Cordero (60-Day DL), Alex Dickerson (60-Day DL), Travis Jankowski, Manuel Margot, Wil Myers, Hunter Renfroe, Franmil Reyes

Starting Pitchers (11):

LH: Robbie Erlin, Eric Lauer, Joey Lucchesi, Clayton Richard (60-Day DL)

RH: Brett Kennedy, Dinelson Lamet (60-Day DL), Walker Lockett, Bryan Mitchell, Jacob Nix, Luis Perdomo, Colin Rea

Relievers (12):

LH: Jose Castillo, Matt Strahm, Brad Wieck

RH: Colten Brewer, Miguel Diaz, Kazuhisa Makita, Phil Maton, Craig Stammen, Robert Stock, Rowan Wick, Trey Wingenter, Kirby Yates

*Players on the 60-Day DL don’t count against the 40-man roster until they are activated this offseason.

**Reliever Jose Torres was placed on the restricted list before the 2018 season. In June he was suspended 100 games by MLB for violating the Domestic Violence Policy. If Torres is reactivated by the Padres, he’ll have to be added to the 40-man roster, or exposed to other clubs.

2019 Changes/Commitments

Free Agents:

Poll Should the Padres re-sign either Galvis or Ellis? This poll is closed. 34% Absolutely Not (116 votes)

51% Galvis, to mentor Urias/Tatis (174 votes)

2% Ellis, to mentor Mejia/Hedges (10 votes)

10% Both, why not (36 votes) 336 votes total Vote Now

Under Contract:

Arbitration-Eligible:

Rule 5 Draft

The Padres have 13 players, including five top-30 prospects who will become eligible for the Rule 5 draft for the first time this offseason:

Triple-A: 3B Ty France, LH Reliever Travis Radke, LH Starter Jerry Keel

Double-A: RH Starter Chris Paddack (#5), C/1B Austin Allen (#25), OF Michael Gettys, UT Kyle Overstreet, RH Reliever Trevor Megill

Single-A: OF Edward Olivares (#28), RH Starter Pedro Avila (#29), RH Reliever Hansel Rodriguez, 1B Brad Zunica

Injured: RH Starter Anderson Espinoza (#12)

A couple players who went unselected in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft turned in solid performances this season:

RH Reliever Gerardo Reyes

RHP Emmanuel Ramirez

High-Minors Prospects

The Padres have 8 top-30 prospects who will finish 2018 at Double-A or higher:

Triple-A: LH Starter Logan Allen (#8), RH Starter Cal Quantril (#10)

Double-A: RH Starter Michel Baez (#7), RH Reliever Andres Munoz (#22), LF/1B Josh Naylor (#15), 3B Hudson Potts (#23), OF Buddy Reed (#13), SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (#1)

These are players who could push for roster spots in 2019, regardless of Rule 5 eligibility.

Poll How many of these players will debut for the Padres in 2019? This poll is closed. 33% 6 or more (69 votes)

48% 4-5 (100 votes)

17% 3 or fewer (37 votes)

0% None, too many older players need their MLB auditions (1 vote) 207 votes total Vote Now

Final Tally

Full 40-Man Roster (40)

Four players on the 60-Day DL (40 + 4 = 44)

One player suspended/on restricted list (44 + 1 = 45)

Two free agents (45 - 2 = 43)

Five top-30 prospects becoming Rule 5 Eligible (43 + 5 = 48)

Eight other players entering their first Rule 5 Draft (48 + 8 = 56)

A couple of notable performers entering their second Rule 5 Draft (56 + 2 = 58)

Eight more top-30 prospects in the Upper Minors (58 + 8 = 66)

Without signing a single free agent, and without considering any trade possibilities, the Padres could have Sixty-Six players looking for a spot on the 40-man roster.

Which prospects do the Padres have to protect this offseason? Which current roster-members are mostly likely to get axed? Who should be on the trading block?

Future articles will go in-depth in terms of production, potential and payroll status to make some predictions regarding the Padres’ offseason decisions.