Padres' 2025 trade acquisition named potential 'breakout candidate' for 2026

At the trade deadline last season, the San Diego Padres were looking to fill a hole at the catcher position. They ended up trading with the Kansas City Royals to acquire Freddy Fermin in exchange for Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek.

He would go on to play in 42 games during the regular season. During that span, he hit .244/.278/.339 with two home runs and 14 runs batted in.  

This coming season, he will likely serve as the club's primary backstop option. And he could be in store for a much bigger season than he has ever seen before. 

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Padres' 2025 trade acquisition named potential 'breakout candidate' for 2026

While much of the offense will likely be carried by the likes of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, Fermin could be right there with them. He will head into a Spring Training where he knows he will be the primary option, instead of years behind Salvador Perez in Kansas City. 

MLB.com's AJ Cassavell believes he is one player who could make San Diego's fans very happy this upcoming season. 

"Fermin figures to be presented with the role of primary backstop, after he'd split time with Salvador Perez for years in Kansas City. With a full Spring Training under his belt, Fermin could serve as an anchor for what figures to be a new-look rotation. Not to mention, there's some promise in his bat as well."

Fermin is an excellent defensive catcher with a great pop time, making it hard to run on him. He also showed off some promise at the plate, which is always a plus for catchers. 

He may not be the same caliber as Cal Raleigh, but he has enough offensive prowess to make opposing pitchers worry about how they are going to pitch to him.

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