Jairo Iriarte #52

Grew up in La Guaira, Venezuela loving school and baseball...didn't start playing baseball until he was seven years old, however...Has two sons, Dereck and Jairel...Joined a baseball academy in Venezuela, and at a showcase in 2018, impressed scouts by throwing 19 strikes in 21 pitches at 16 years old.

2023

Split the season between Fort Wayne (A) and San Antonio (AA), working primarily as a starter (21 starts in 27 total appearances)...he pitched to a 3.49 ERA (35 ER, 90.1 IP) while posting career bests in strikeouts (128), appearances (27), starts (21), opponents' average (.216) pitches thrown (1,563) and strikes thrown (969)...Fanned almost a third of opposing hitters but walked nearly 12 percent of batters faced (128 SO in 385 batters faced with 45 walks allowed). Began the season in FW, where he had a 3.10 ERA (21 ER, 61.0 IP) in 14 appearances (all starts)...he struck out 77 batters and allowed 28 walks. Was promoted to SA on July 14, and in 13 appearances (seven starts) at the Double-A level, he held opposing bats to a .198 clip...owned a 4.30 ERA (14 ER, 29.1 IP) with the Missions with 51 punchouts against 17 walks allowed Allowed just four home runs to the 385 batters he faced. On November 14, 2023, the Padres added Irarte to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the 2023 Rule 5 Draft...Finished the season ranked as the Padres' No. 6 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline.