Padres Top Prospect Agrees With Team's Decision to Send Him Down to Triple-A

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 10, 2024

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The first demotion of Graham Pauley's young career shouldn't be taken harshly. It's more of an affirmation that the San Diego Padres believe that with some everyday reps in Triple-A El Paso, he will be back.

“Of course, I want to play; I want to be a Major League Baseball player,” Pauley said on Tuesday. “I think I’ll be in a good spot once I come back, but right now I agree that the best thing to do is go and get ABs (at-bats) and be ready to go.”

While Pauley provided some pinch-hitting heroics with a home run on March 30, he has only had 15 at-bats in seven games this season. He's been splitting time at third base with veteran Tyler Wade and fellow rookie Eguy Rosario with most of his at-bats against left-handed pitching.

With Manny Machado progressing in his throwing program, it's only a matter of time before he returns to the hot corner and manager Mike Shildt will have to find other ways to use Wade and Rosario. Pauley has time, though.

He was drafted less than two years ago and still has a lot to learn.

“I think I learned a ton,” Pauley said. “I think the guys have welcomed me with open arms and brought a lot to the table in terms of helping me develop both defensively and offensively. Defensively, Machado and (Jake Cronenworth), those guys are some of the best at their positions and those are positions I’m playing so it definitely helps having those guys leading the way. Offensively, just coming off the bench, starting, having different roles, I think all that is beneficial in the long run.”

For now, Pauley needs to adjust to being an everyday player again. He needs at-bats and this is the only way him to get them consistently. He knows that he needs to play well to find himself on the Padres roster again this season.

“The goal is to go down there and play really well,” Pauley said. “I just want to get as many ABs as possible, see a lot of pitching, put together consistent ABs and hit the ball hard to all parts of the field. I think if I do that, get as many ABs as I can, I’ll be in a good spot to come up here and help.”