Padres Prospect Pleads Guilty to Transporting Undocumented Immigrants Humberto Cruz, a 19-year-old minor-league pitcher for the San Diego Padres, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of receiving money in exchange for transporting undocumented immigrants within the United States. The case, reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, marks a significant setback for the Padres’ promising prospect, who was previously ranked as the team’s fifth-best player entering the 2024 season. Cruz’s plea agreement includes a statement acknowledging the “virtual certainty” of his deportation as a non-U.S. citizen, a consequence of his legal troubles. The Padres confirmed that Cruz has lost his work visa, which was valid for 10 years, though he may reapply after a five-year waiting period. The team placed him on the restricted list on March 13, effectively barring him from participating in team activities. Cruz, who signed with the Padres for $750,000 in February 2024 out of Mexico, has faced additional challenges, including undergoing Tommy John surgery and posting a 7.20 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 40 innings during his limited time in the minors. Cruz’s legal troubles began on October 28, 2024, when Border Patrol agents in Arizona stopped his vehicle near the U.S.-Mexico border. The agents suspected he was transporting undocumented immigrants after noticing his car initially heading toward the border with only the driver and later returning with two additional passengers. Upon inspection, the two passengers were identified as Mexican nationals without proper documentation. One of the men had been recently removed from the U.S. through an Arizona border crossing by immigration officials just four days prior, according to court documents.#san_diego_padres #border_patrol #tommy_john_surgery #humberto_cruz #san_diego_union_tribune
