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One of the top prospects reportedly self-deported to his native Mexico after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor related to human trafficking in Arizona.
San Diego Padres prospect Humberto Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of receiving money to transport non-citizens within the United States.
According to The Athletic, Cruz, in the country on a legal work visa, was driving a vehicle transporting two immigrants in the country illegally. Cruz, 19, was initially driving south on State Route 85 in Lukeville, Arizona, but was seen driving north about an hour later with two other passengers. Agents were suspicious that Cruz would not have had enough time to reach the Lukeville Port of Entry to pick up passengers.
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Humberto Cruz of the San Diego Padres poses for a photo at the San Diego Padres Minor League Photo Day at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona on March 5, 2025. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres told the San Diego Tribune that Cruz would likely lose his work visa for 10 years, but can reapply after five years if he shows good behavior.
“To my teammates, the organization, our fans and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people whom I deeply respect. I understand that my actions have not met the standards expected of me as a professional and as a representative of this organization,” Cruz said in a statement via The Athletic.
“I take responsibility for my behavior and acknowledge the impact it has had on my team-mates, the club and those who support us. To my team-mates and coaches, I apologize for being a distraction and for not maintaining the level of professionalism you deserve. To the fans, I am sorry to have let you down and for not living up to the trust placed in me.
“I am committed to reflecting on this moment, learning from it and taking the appropriate steps to move forward in a positive and responsible manner. I will cooperate fully with the organization and any steps required of me.
Fans arrive at the entrance to the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona for the Los Angeles Dodgers spring training game against the San Diego Padres on February 22, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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The pitcher admitted to officials that he responded to an ad for drivers “to pick people up for easy money” and was offered $1,000 per person, knowing “they were illegal,” The Athletic said.
Cruz pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in November in exchange for prosecutors dropping a felony charge of transporting illegal aliens for profit. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for time served.
The plea agreement, The Athletic said, said Cruz understood his deportation would be “virtually inevitable and a virtual certainty.”
The Padres placed Cruz, whom they signed out of Monterrey, Mexico, for $750,000 in February 2024, on the restricted list in March.
Cruz underwent Tommy John surgery last August and had been rehabbing at the team’s spring training facility in Arizona in late October at the time of his arrest.
In 14 starts in both rookie and A ball, Cruz pitched to a 7.58 ERA. MLB.com lists Cruz as the team’s fifth-best prospect — three of the four ahead of him are pitchers.
The San Diego Padres logo is displayed on the field at PETCO Park before a game against St. Louis Cardinals on April 3, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
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The Padres did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
