Fuji picks #408, Christian Friedrich

The Player: Christian Friedrich

The Card: 2017 Topps #24

How I got the auto: I bought it on eBay earlier this year, receiving on July 1.

About Christian Friedrich: He was drafted by the Rockies with their first pick in 2008.  He made his major league debut on May 9, 2012 for the Rockies against the Padres.  In February of 2016 the Rockies released him and he signed with the Padres in March.  He made his Padres debut May 13, 2016.  In October of 2017 the Padres released him due to sustained injuries.  In 2019 he played with the independent Burlington Bees. He played in the KBO, before signing with White Sox.  He didn't play in 2020 because of the pandemic.  He then played for the Lexington Legends and the Chicago Dogs. He was released by the Dogs in April of 2022.

Between: Max Fried and Ernesto Frieri

Up Next: Batting Out of Order picked #19, Abraham Almonte

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.

 

Brett Alan picked #874, James Needy

The Player: James Needy

The Card: 2015 Bowman #BCP-60

How I got the Auto: I sent the card to him through the mail and he sent it back in 2015.

About James Needy: He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 draft by the Padres.  He played in their system from 2009-2015.  Derek looked into his missed systems of 2010 and 2016, and found in 2010 Needy was injured for the season and missed 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgersy.  In 2017 he was in the Marlins system and played for four different teams.  

Between: Blaine Neal and Tyson Neighbors.

Up Next: Fuji picked #408, Christian Friedrich

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.
 Someone has come within four numbers of the secret Padrograph.

New this week and needs

I picked up the Miguel Mendez card on Ebay.  It is from this years Bowman Chrome. He was traded to the Giants earlier this year along with Joniel Hernandez for Robbie Ray. Pedro Astacio split the 2005 season between the Rangers and the Padres.  He pitched in twelve games for San Diego.  This is the only card I know of with him in a Padres uniform.  I would really like to get this signed.  The card is from a 2005 Upper Deck team issued set.    

 

Derek picks #24, Matty Alou

 

The Player:  Matty Alou

The Card: 1974 Topps #430

How I got the auto:  Not sure, but more than likely I bought it on Ebay.

About Matty Alou: He was signed by the Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1957 season.  He made his major league debut with San Francisco in 1960.  On September 10, 1963 all three Alou brothers batted in the same half inning.  Five days later they all played together in the outfield for the Giants.  In 1965 he was traded to the Pirates, he played there until 1971 when he was traded to the Cardinals. In 1972 he was traded to the A's.  After the 1972 season he was traded to the Yankees.  In September of 1973 the Cardinals purchased his contract from the Yankees.  In October of 1973 the Padres purchased his contract from the Cardinals.  He played in 48 games for the Padres before being released.  In July of 1974 he left San Diego and played the rest of the season in Japan, where he also played in 1975 and 1976.  He was the National League Batting Leader in 1966.  He passed away from diabetic complications in 2011 at the age of 73.

Between:  Yonder Alonso and Bryann Allman

Up Next: Brett Allan picks #874, James Needy

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1390.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.  

Someone came within four numbers of the secret Padrograph and many choices are kinda close.  

Below are all the numbers that have been chosen as of 12:30 PM, Friday, September 18, 2026.  Not all have been featured yet.  

Matt picks #1300, Christian Villanueva

The Player: Christian Villanueva

The Card: 2018 Topps Series 2, #661

How I obtained the auto: I bought it on eBay and received it on June 22, 2018.

About Christian Villanueva: He was signed by the Rangers as a amateur free agent in 2008.  In 2012 he and Kyle Hendrick were traded to the Cubs for Ryan Dempster.  In December of 2016 he was granted free agency.  He signed with the Padres in the same month.  He played mostly in El Paso in 2017, getting into ten games for the Padres.  In 2018 he made the team in San Diego as the third baseman.  On April 3, 2018 he hit three home runs in one game against the Rockies at Petco Park.  He was the National League Rookie of the Month.  In August of 2018 he fractured a finger and missed the rest of the season.  He was released by the Padres at the end of the year.  He then played with a couple of teams in Japan and several in Mexico.  He is playing in 2026 in the Mexican Leagues.  

Between: Carlos Villanueva and Ron Villone

Up Next:  Derek picks #24, Matty Alou

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.  
 

 

Batting Out of Order picks #10, Mike Aldrete

 The Player: Mike Aldrete

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 2, #318

How I Obtained the Auto: I submitted the card for a private signing and got it signed. 

About Mike Aldrete: He was drafted by the Giants in 1983 and made his MLB debut in 1986 with San Francisco.  In 1988 he was traded to the Expos' (remember them) until 1991.  He was released by the Expos in March of 1991 and signed a free agent contract with the Padres.  He played in twelve games for San Diego before being released.  He finished the season in Cleveland.  He then played with the A's, Angels and Yankees. He retired in 1996 and has been a major league coach since 2004 with the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Cardinals and A's.  He has been the hitting coach for the A's since 2015.

Between: Sandy Alderson and Manny Alexander

Up Next: Matt picked #1300, Christian Villanueva

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1390.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.  

NEW THIS WEEK

Just one new Padrograph this week, Will Wagner.  My wife and I drove to Tacoma on Monday and went to a Tacoma Rainiers game on Tuesday.  The Rainers, Mariners AAA vs El Paso Chihuahuas, Padres AAA.  I took four cards to get signed, JP Sears, Rodolfo Duran, Bryce Johnson and Will Wagner.  Wagner was the only one I got.  Sears and Duran were the starting battery so I didn't bother them.  I was not able to identify Bryce Johnson.  It was a good game until Tacoma walked it off in the bottom of the ninth.  Cheney Stadium is a nice ball park with pretty good access.  The Chihuahuas disappeared quickly at the end of the game.  We hope to return to Cheney Stadium again next year.  


 

Ohio Tim picks #15, Logan Allen

The Player: Logan Allen

The Card: 2016 Bowman #BP-56

How I got the Card: I bought it on eBay and received it May 27, 2016

About Logan Allen: Logan was drafted by the Red Sox in 2015. In November of 2015 he was traded to the Padresw with several other players for Craig Kimbrel. He made his MLB debut with San Diego in June of 2019.  In July of 2019 he was part of a three team trade that sent him to Cleveland and brought Taylor Tramell to San Diego.  He also played for Baltimore and Arizona.  He has played for teams in Korea in 2025 and this year. 

Between: Dusty Allen and Carlos Alamanzar

Up Next: Batting Out of Order picks #10, Mike Aldrete

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.  
 

Fuji picks #824, Eddie Miller

The Player: Eddie Miller

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 1, #445

How I obtained the auto:  ABC Unlimited was taking part in a signing with Eddie Miller and I made the card and they got it signed.  

About Eddie Miller: He was drafted by the Rangers in 1975, he made his major league debut in 1977. In December of 1977 he was part of a four team trade that sent him to Atlanta.  He played for the Braves from 1978-1981, he was then traded to the Tigers where he played in 1982.  In 1983 Tigers traded him to the Phillies, in '83 he played for the Portland Beavers, the Phils' AAA club.  In February of 1984 the Phillies released and in August he signed with the Padres.  He appeared in 13 games for the Padres, hitting the only home run of his career in final major league at bat.  In 1985 he played for the Beaumont Golden Gators, the Padres AA affiliate in the Texas League.  He played in Mexico in 1986-1987.

Fun Fact: I had help on this card.  It is actually a picture of Eddie with the Braves.  I believe Travis Peterson of Punk Rock Paint did the transformation, but it might have been Gavin of Baseball Card Breakdown.  I can't remember now. The picture was originally a photo of Eddie in a Braves uniform.

Between: Drew Miller and Mason Miller

Up Next: Ohio Tim picks #15, Logan Allen

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.  
 

Fuji picks #678 Justin Lange

The Player: Justin Lange

The Card: 2020 Bowman Draft Picks, #BD-99

How I obtained it: Bought it on eBay and received it December 23, 2020

About Justin Lange: The Padres picked him in the 2020 draft.  He didn't play at all in 2020 due to the Pandemic.  In 2021 he appeared in nine minor league games for the ACL Padres.  In 2022 he was traded to the Yankees for Luke Voit.  He played in 2022 and 2023 for the Yankees minor leagues. He missed all of 2024 with a shoulder injury, in 2025 he again played in the Yankees system.  He was released in early 2026 by New York and signed to play in an independent league, that only lasted a few games before he was released.  

Between:  Jason Lane and Mark Langston

Up Next:  Fuji picks #824, Eddie Miller

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.  

New this week

Oscar Mercado signed two minor league deals with the Padres and opted out of both of them after playing for the El Paso Chihuahuas.

Sean Manaea pitched for the Padres in 2022. 

I got both of these on Ebay.  I wasn't looking for the Mercado because he didn't show up on the MLB roster, but he is in a Padres uni so I grabbed them.

My wife and I are going to Tacoma tomorrow to see the Tacoma Rainiers play the El Paso Chihuahuas on Tuesday.  I am going to try and get signatures from JP Sears, Will Wagner, Bryce Johnson and Rodolfo Duran.  
 

Batting out of Order picks #2, CJ Abrams

 

Note: John Sharp had picked #11 in this spot but that is Manny Alexander and he was featured back on July 13, 2026 when Nachos Grande picked #11.  

The Player:  C.J. Abrams

The Card:  2019 Bowmans Best Certified Auto #B19-CJA

How I obtained the Auto:  I bought it on eBay and received it on January 21, 2020.  That was my Dad's last birthday on earth and my little brothers 56th birthday.

About the Player: CJ was the 6th pick overall in the 2019 draft.  The Padres signed him on June 2019. He played a couple of seasons in the minors before being making his MLB debut for the Padres on April 8, 2022.  His time with the Padres was short as he along with several other players were traded on AUgust 2, 2022 to the Nationals for Juan Soto and Josh Bell.  He made his debut with the Nationals on August 15, 2022.  He was named to the Major League All Star team in 2024 and 2026.  

Fun fact: He is named after his father Christopher Paul Abrams, Sr.  CJ is short for Chris Junior.  

Between: Shawn Abner and Ed Acosta

Up Next: Fuji picks #678, Justin Lange

Contest: The secret Padrograph is still lurking out there.  Joe Pittman is the closest number so far.  We roll on.  Pick the right number and you will win a $20 eBay gift card.  

Ohio Tim picks #967, Joe Pittman

 The Player: Joe"Shoes"Pittman 

The Card: 1983 Fleer #369

How I obtained the Auto:  I sent it to him with a green sharpie and he signed it and returned it.

About Joe Pittman: Joe was drafted by the Astros in 1975.  He made his MLB Debut in 1981 with Houston.  In 1982 he was traded to the Padres for Danny Boone.  After the 1983 season he was traded to the Giants for Champ Summers.  After the 1984 season he was released by the Giants.  He played two more seasons in the minors before retiring.  He coached and scouted for the Astros.  During the Senior League inaugural season he played for the champion, the St. Petersburg Pelicans.  In 2014 he was working construction in Texas when he collapsed and passed away at the age of 61.  

Fun Fact:  He was nicknamed "Shoes" while at Southern University, because he had worn white cleats in high school.

Between: Jose Pirela and Nick Pivetta

Up Next:  Batting Out of Order picks #2, CJ Abrams

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

 

P.S. This is the closest anyone has come to the secret number.

Brett Alan picks #494, Josh Hader

The Player: Josh Hader

The Card: 2023 Topps, Series 2, #392

How I obtained the Auto: I bought in on eBay and received it July 3, 2026

About Josh Hader: Josh was drafted by the Orioles in 2012.  The Orioles traded him to the Astros, who traded him to the Brewers.  He made his major league debut with the Brewers, where he played for five seasons before being traded to the Padres.  He spent two seasons in San Diego, then he signed a free agent with Houston.  He is currently pitching for the Astros.

He is a six-time All Star, three time NL Reliever of the Year, and was part of a combined no-hitter with the Brewers.  

Between: Luther Hackman and Jason Hagerty

Up Next: Ohio Tim picks #967, Joe Pittman

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Since no one has picked the correct number the contest will roll into September.

 

New this week

 Just one new Padrograph card this week.  Stuart over at SR'75 Cards knows Joe McIlvaine.  He was looking for a postcard of Mr. McIlvaine which I didn't have.  However I made this custom card of him and sent it to him and he signed it and returned it.  McIlvaine was the General Manager of the Padres from 1991-1993.  He is the sixth General Manager that I have a signed card.  I would like to get one of AJ Preller, but he has never responded to my letters.  

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Since no one has picked the number yet. The prize will roll into September.