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Getting to know Brandon Valenzuela, the prospect the Blue Jays acquired from the Padres
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Photo credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 31, 2025, 17:45 EDTUpdated: Jul 31, 2025, 17:51 EDT
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The second trade on Thursday saw the Toronto Blue Jays trade Will Wagner.
In return for trading Wagner, the Blue Jays now got their top catching prospect, Brandon Valenzuela, from the San Diego Padres.
Did I think I’d be writing a “getting to know” article this trade deadline? Absolutely not, but the Blue Jays needed to clear a 40-man roster spot for a potential move before the trade deadline. They at least got something of note to clear the space.
During the 2018 International Free Agency period, the Padres signed the catcher to a bonus worth $100,000. He began his career in rookie ball that season, and slashed .253/.379/.323 with one home run in 243 plate appearances.
The 2019 season was slightly above-average, but Valenzuela broke out in 2021, slashing .299/.393/.429 with seven home runs between Single-A and High-A. Although he hit for a career-high 10 home runs in 2022, the catcher finished with a sub-100 wRC+.
In 2023, Valenzuela split his time between High-A and Double-A, slashing .239/.337/.374 with five home runs in 264 plate appearances for a 104 wRC+. He struggled in the 2024 season, especially once he got to Triple-A, as he slashed just .195/.292/.234 in 90 plate appearances with the Padres’ Triple-A team.
That brings us to this season, where he’s having another slightly above-average season in Double-A. In 374 plate appearances, Valenzuela slashed .229/.313/.387 with 12 home runs, with a 10.7 BB% and 22.2 K%.
Valenzuela is a ranked prospect, as MLB Pipeline ranked him as the Padres’ 26th-best prospect before the trade. He’s certainly a glove-over-bat type of player, as they grade his arm and fielding ability as a 60. His hit tool and power tool sit at 40, while he’s a well below-average runner with a 30 grade.
Will Valenzuela be a replacement for Ali Sánchez while Alejandro Kirk recovers from his concussion? Probably not. Still, there are some things to like about the 24-year-old catcher, even though the bat is nothing special. Thanks to his strong defence, Valenzuela could end up being the Blue Jays’ future backup catcher. 
As for Wagner, the 27-year-old has had a strong run of games since being recalled, slashing .291/.391/.382 with no home runs in 65 plate appearances. He’s filled in at both first base and third base during that stretch. Wagner was acquired at last season’s trade deadline, as the Jays sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros for Wagner, Joey Loperfido, and Jake Bloss.
What’s important is that the Blue Jays have cleared a 40-man spot to make room for future moves.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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