Padres Invite Reliever to Spring Training 8 Years After Drafting Him

Lake Bachar has five career Cactus League games, 149 in minors, under his belt

The San Diego Padres have reportedly invited veteran minor league reliever Lake Bachar to spring training after re-signing him to a minor league contract. 

USA Today's Bob Nightengale first reported the deal on Wednesday: 

Reliever Lake Bachar, drafted in the 5th-round by San Diego in 2016, has signed a minor-league deal with the Padres and an invite to spring training. He was 5-1 with a 2.69 ERA at Class AA last year. After 8 years in the minors, he's hoping to make his MLB debut at the age of 28.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 10, 2024

Bachar was drafted by the Friars in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB Draft with the 144th overall pick. The 28-year-old right-hander has yet to get a chance to shine in the major leagues, but the Padres are giving him a chance to possibly break through.

Bachar has appeared in only five Cactus League games in his career: three in 2020 and two in 2023. He's allowed five runs in 4.2 innings across the five games.  

In six years in the minor leagues, Bachar has a 30-20 record, 4.06 ERA, 414 strikeouts, and a 1.32 WHIP in 441 innings pitched. Bachar repeated Double-A last season at age 27/28 and excelled. In 42 relief appearances, he went 5-1 with a 2.69 ERA and more than one strikeout per inning.

With the Padres shedding payroll this offseason, more door could open for internal candidates to claim major league roster spots. Bachar counts as a longshot, but it's the best shot the organization has given him. 

If his apparent gains last year carry over to 2024, Bachar could finally be donning the gold and brown at the major league level.