Rockies minor trade news sees Padres quietly brought a familiar name back into the organization, inking catcher Blake Hunt to a minor league contract. The move surfaced through the transaction log on Hunt’s MLB.com profile, with MadFriars first reporting the agreement earlier in the month.
While it may not generate headlines, the signing adds an interesting layer of depth to a position where San Diego still has questions, and it represents something of a full-circle moment for Hunt, who originally began his professional career in the Padres system.
Hunt, now 27 years old, was once viewed as one of the more promising catching prospects in San Diego’s farm system. The Padres selected him in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, betting on his offensive upside behind the plate.
At the time, Hunt was known more for his bat than his glove, with evaluators intrigued by his raw power and potential to develop into a run-producing catcher if everything came together. That promise made him a valuable asset when the Padres began reshaping their roster in pursuit of contention.
During the 2020–21 offseason, Hunt was included in the high-profile trade that sent ace left-hander Blake Snell to the Padres. As part of that deal, Hunt moved to the Tampa Bay Rays, an organization well known for its ability to develop players, particularly those with offensive upside. For Hunt, the trade marked the beginning of a long journey through the minor leagues, one that brought flashes of progress but also plenty of uncertainty.
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While with Tampa Bay, Hunt spent several seasons steadily working his way through the Rays’ system. The 2023 season represented one of the more encouraging stretches of his career. Splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, Hunt showed legitimate power production, posting a combined slash line of .256/.331/.484 with 12 home runs in just 67 games. That performance suggested that his bat could play at higher levels, especially in a role that emphasized offense from the catching position.
Despite those solid numbers, the Rays opted not to add Hunt to their 40-man roster during the 2023–24 offseason. With minor league free agency approaching, Tampa Bay instead chose to move him in a trade.
Hunt was dealt to the Seattle Mariners, who saw enough upside to warrant giving him a roster spot. Seattle sent minor league catcher Tatem Levins the other way, signaling that they valued Hunt’s bat-first profile and wanted to see whether it could translate into major league depth.
Hunt wasted little time making a positive impression in his new organization. Assigned to Triple-A to begin the season, he got off to a scorching start at the plate. Over his first 24 games, Hunt slashed .293/.372/.533, displaying both patience and power. That strong opening month caught the attention of other clubs around the league, particularly teams looking for catching help or depth at the position.
In May of 2024, Hunt found himself on the move again. This time, the Baltimore Orioles decided to take a chance, acquiring him from Seattle in a deal that sent right-handed pitcher Mike Baumann to the Mariners. For Baltimore, Hunt represented a potential depth option with offensive upside, someone who could step in if injuries or underperformance created an opening behind the plate.
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The Orioles called Hunt up to the major league roster in July of 2024, bringing him closer than ever to making his long-awaited MLB debut. However, that opportunity never fully materialized. Hunt did not appear in a big league game before being designated for assignment, a tough break for a player who had spent years hovering just below the majors.
After clearing waivers, he remained in the Orioles organization through the end of the season, but his performance at Triple-A Norfolk left much to be desired. Across 42 games with the affiliate, Hunt struggled mightily, hitting just .179/.219/.278 and raising concerns about whether his offensive promise could still be realized.
That disappointing stretch in Baltimore might have marked the end of the road for some players, but Hunt’s journey continued. During the 2024–25 offseason, the Mariners reacquired him, bringing him back into their system as minor league depth. Seattle’s catching situation at the big league level was already fairly settled, leaving Hunt to serve as insurance rather than a true contender for immediate playing time.
At the major league level, the Mariners were anchored by a strong catching duo of Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver. Raleigh, in particular, went on to enjoy a remarkable 2025 campaign, putting together an MVP-caliber season and even breaking the single-season home run record for a catcher. With that kind of production ahead of him on the depth chart, Hunt had little realistic chance of seeing time in Seattle.
Still, Hunt managed to rebound offensively in the minors after the struggles he endured with Baltimore. Over 62 games during the 2025 season, he posted a .272/.368/.452 slash line.
While those numbers were helped by the hitter-friendly conditions of the Pacific Coast League, where Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma plays, they were still impressive enough to translate to a 108 wRC+, indicating above-average production even after adjusting for league and park factors. For a catcher, that kind of offensive output is meaningful, especially for teams looking to supplement light-hitting options behind the plate.
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Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Hunt once again entered the open market as a minor league free agent. This time, he stood out as a particularly interesting option for organizations thin at catcher depth.
His track record suggested he could provide solid offensive production in Triple-A and potentially hold his own in a limited major league role if given the chance. Ultimately, Hunt found that opportunity back where his professional career began: with the San Diego Padres.
Returning to the Rockies minor trade news Padres places Hunt in a situation that could finally allow him to break through. He is expected to open the 2026 season with Triple-A El Paso, where he should serve as the organization’s top depth option at catcher. San Diego’s current catching picture leaves plenty of room for competition, and Hunt’s bat could make him a legitimate contender if injuries or performance issues arise.
As things stand, the Padres’ catching tandem does not inspire much confidence. Freddy Fermin profiles best as a part-time contributor rather than an everyday fixture, while Luis Campusano is slated to serve as the backup despite logging just 27 plate appearances at the major league level last season. That lack of established production leaves the door open for someone like Hunt to push his way into the conversation.
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If Hunt can carry over his recent minor league success into spring training, he could realistically challenge Campusano for the backup role behind Fermin. The Padres have not yet made any major additions at catcher, and unless they do, the competition figures to be wide open. Hunt’s experience, combined with his offensive upside, gives him a chance to stand out in a way he hasn’t been able to consistently do in previous stops.
Looking further down the road, San Diego’s long-term catching plans still revolve around top prospect Ethan Salas. However, Salas is widely viewed as being several years away from his own major league debut. That timeline only enhances Hunt’s opportunity, as the Padres will need competent short-term solutions behind the plate until Salas is ready.
For Hunt, this latest signing represents more than just another minor league deal. It’s an opportunity to rewrite the narrative of a career defined by near-misses and constant movement. After years of bouncing between organizations and hovering just shy of the majors, he now finds himself in a system that not only knows him well but also has a clear need at his position. If circumstances break his way, 2026 could finally be the season where Hunt steps onto a big league field and makes the debut he has been chasing since his days as a second-round pick.
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