With about an hour before the MLB trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays have made a deal.
They sent away Will Wagner to the San Diego Padres in exchange for catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela.
Valenzuela is ranked as the No. 26 prospect that San Diego has and is known most for his defensive work.
Here's the MLB Pipeline blurb on Valenzuela:
Valenzuela signed with the Padres for $100,000 out of Mexico in July 2017 and is now in the middle of his seventh Minor League season (discounting that first summer and the lost COVID year) in the Padres' system. He even re-signed to stay in the organization early last offseason and is now in the midst of his third campaign with Double-A San Antonio, where he’s served as the primary catcher with Ethan Salas sidelined for much of 2025 with a back issue.
The backstop’s value has long been his defensive work. He’s taken keenly to the one-knee-down approach and been an impressive receiver back there, providing a good target for his pitchers. Coaches have routinely praised his work with pitching staffs. As if that wasn’t enough, Valenzuela keeps opposing running games in check with good arm strength and actions behind the plate; he’s posted a caught-stealing rate above 30 percent for three years running.
It's the bat that’s kept Valenzuela from ascending much higher, both in terms of Minor League levels and prospect rankings. The switch-hitter will take his walks, and he’s cut down on some of his chase against non-fastballs in 2025. His swing is grooved to elevate a ton, and without enough bat speed, it leads to more catchable fly balls and a traditionally low BABIP. His splits are even from both sides, however, and there’s enough in the approach -- and certainly enough in the glove -- to make him a backup candidate who could sprinkle in starts against starters regardless of handedness.
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If the Blue Jays can unlock Valenzuela's bat, he could be a starting catcher in the future. He does have 12 homers at Double-A this season. As is, his defense can make him a backup in the big leagues down the road.
Wagner is the son of newly enshrined Hall of Famer, Billy Wagner.
The 27-year old Wagner just celebrated his birthday on Tuesday.
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He's done well as a former 18th-round pick in 2021 by the Astros.
So far this season, Wagner is batting .237, although he's been hotter of late. In his career, he's a .265 hitter.
Now, he's joining the Padres, who have been dealing all day to make a playoff push. Wagner will likely be a bench bat there.
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