3 Padres prospects who could headline a trade with the NY Mets for Freddy Peralta

After his first twenty starts, it's clear that Freddy Peralta isn't the starting pitcher the Mets thought they were getting. Across 104.1 innings, he has a 4.66 ERA and 4.38 FIP, figures unbecoming of a frontline starter. Nonetheless, there still seems to be interest in him from teams around the league.

One of the interested parties is the San Diego Padres who are still finalizing their strategy at this year's deadline. With a record of 47-48, they're 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot but one or two hot weeks in the last few months of the season could punch their ticket to the postseason. If the Friars do end up pursuing a Peralta deal, who are some of the prospects that could be sent over?

RHP Tucker Musgrove (SDP No. 9 prospect)

Musgrove was a seventh-round selection in the 2023 draft out of the University of Mobile, an NAIA school. His professional career got off to a late start after a torn UCL delayed his debut until 2025 but his numbers this year have been strong. Across 19 innings for High-A Fort Wayne, he has pitched to a 3.79 ERA and 3.78 FIP with a 44.0% strikeout rate. He was recently promoted to Double-A San Antonio where he will likely remain for the remainder of the season assuming he continues to perform.

Despite his limited innings, scouts seem particularly thrilled about his fastball offerings. He throws all three variants (four-seam, cutter, sinker) and can dial it up to triple digits on occasion. His breaking ball offerings and long extension make him a tough assignment for opposing hitters and he could be a valuable addition to the Mets' bullpen as early as next year.

C Ty Harvey (SDP No. 6 prospect)

Harvey was taken in the fifth round of the 2025 draft out of Inspiration Academy in Bradenton, Florida. At just 19 years old, he was posting outstanding offensive numbers with Single-A Lake Elsinore, accumulating a 143 wRC+. Unfortunately, he was held to just 58 plate appearances at the level before fracturing his left hand, sidelining him until the end of July or later.

Because he was drafted out of high school, he has plenty of time to continue rounding out his skillset and this temporary setback shouldn't have too much of a negative effect on his future. Furthermore, although the Mets currently have Francisco Alvarez, getting more catcher prospect depth that isn't expected to debut until 2029 is feasible since Alvarez is slated to hit free agency in 2030 and the organization may even trade him earlier.

LHP Kash Mayfield (SDP No. 4 prospect)

Mayfield was drafted 25th overall in 2024 out of Elk City High School in Oklahoma. Scouts noted that he lost some fastball velocity last year as a result of some shoulder issues and weight loss but the real standout aspect of his arsenal is his changeup which is described as having late dive and arm side movement. Thus far in 2026, he has pitched 48.2 innings for High-A Fort Wayne to a 3.33 ERA and 4.24 FIP.

The Mets had some outstanding pitching prospect talent in Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong but with the former graduating and the latter still struggling to put the pieces together at the upper levels of the sport, the organization could use more farm depth, especially when it comes to starting pitchers. Mayfield has an ETA of 2028 which should give the team enough time to clear a spot for him as Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes will both be free agents by then.

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