Hindsight transforms San Diego’s draft strategy as they swap C.J. Abrams for Shea Langeliers, a power-hitting backstop capable of solving the club’s current offensive crisis behind the plate.
A lot has changed in the baseball landscape since the 2019 MLB Draft took place. There is now a pitch clock, and even an automated balls-and-strikes system has been added to the game, along with many other crazy storylines through it all.
Today, however, we’re going to take a step back and go back to the last draft before the turn of the decade and see how it has shaped the current league, and what would be different, specifically for the San Diego Padres, with the benefit of hindsight.
Bleacher Report just released a redraft of the 2019 class in which the Padres selected at No. 6 overall. In the draft, they selected high school shortstop C.J. Abrams.
Abrams made his major league debut with the Friars, but only lasted 46 games in San Diego before being a major piece of the Juan Soto trade back in 2022. Since his move to the Washington Nationals, Abrams has cemented himself as one of the best infielders in baseball, even earning an All-Star nod in 2024. With the way his 2026 campaign is going, Abrams is sure to make the team yet again with 167 OPS+.
For this, Abrams wasn't even available at the No. 6 pick in Bleacher Report’s redraft. San Diego instead was chosen to select catcher Shea Langeliers out of Baylor University.
Langeliers had a decent first couple of years in the MLB, but has kicked it up to a different level since 2024. His OPS has seen big increases in each season since 2023, reaching 30 home runs for the first time in his career last season. Undoubtedly one of the best offensive catchers in the game, Langeliers is well on his way to earning his first All-Star nod this July.
Adding Langeliers to this Padres team would certainly provide a huge boost, as the catcher position has been a struggle for the club over recent years. With Luis Campusano out with a fractured toe, Freddy Fermin has become the everyday catcher in San Diego, but his production at the plate has been nonexistent.
In nearly 100 at-bats, Fermin has an average of .140 with an OPS of .424. Unfortunately, every time Ferin steps to the plate, an out is almost inevitable.
Especially considering the Friars’ struggles at the plate this season as a team, Langeliers’ bat would provide huge support for the lineup.
Instead, the Padres will be waiting for both Campusano to return and for the arrival of their top prospect, catcher Ethan Salas. Formerly one of baseball’s most exciting prospects, Salas has garnered excitement once again in the minor leagues after back-to-back down seasons in the Padres’ system.
Still at just 20 years old, Salas could very well earn his major league debut at some point during the 2026 season, especially if the major league team continues to get little production from the position with Fermin.
He may not have the resume for Langeliers, but Salas could one day provide similar value for a Padres team that desperately needs consistent play at the position.
