TALKING STICK, AZ: San Diego Padres prospect Justin DeCriscio of the Peoria Javelinas takes a throw at second base against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Oct. 5, 2026. (Photo by Norm Hall/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Minor League Baseball via Getty Images

Justin DeCriscio’s game is catching on in the 2026 Arizona Fall League. The San Diego Padres prospect is catching every ball in his vicinity while tying to scratch out a few key hits himself.

“The big thing for me is to pick it in support of my pitcher,” he said. “I love that. Getting some hits is a lot of fun, too.”

The fun continued today when he gained the final berth in voting for the National League in the Fall Stars Game tomorrow.

Scouts have long been aware of DeCriscio’s defense. A two-homer, six-RBI game on October 28th for the Peoria Javelinas caught everyone’s attention.

“I need to see more but if he hits like that consistently, he’s going to play somewhere in the bigs,” said a veteran AL organization scout. “Seems to have a great attitude, work ethic. That’s half the battle. He’s got the agility to play short and second and his arm is enough for third. A utility guy for sure and maybe a little more if he handles the bat more consistently.

“Heard about him in high school, saw him play in college, the minors and out here. He’s improved. Needs more and he shows he’ll put in the effort. Could be a fun story down the road.”

DeCriscio played for the nation’s top-ranked high school team, Orange (CA) Lutheran. New York Yankees ace pitcher Gerrit Cole and outfielder Garrett Mitchell of the 2026 World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers also played there.

DeCriscio enrolled at the University of San Diego. He hit .237, .322 and .308 in three seasons with the Toreros.

He continued his progress against better competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2025 for North Carolina State. DeCriscio hit .289 with 8 homers in 51 games. That was five more homers than he totaled in 130 games at San Diego.

The Padres picked him last summer in the 10th round, No. 310 overall. Nine of 61 picks in history at No. 310 have made the majors, the most notable being catcher Yan Gomes (Blue Jays, 2009) and former Padres infielder Gerald Clark (1985).

“Overall, (they liked) just the way I play, being a defense-first guy,” DeCriscio told Sam Dykstra of MLB.com, “and then kind of see what comes with the bat.”

DeCriscio signed for just $15,000 then the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder showed them something to see with the bat. He hit a respectable .270 with 13 homers and 59 RBI in 121 games across three levels. He played short, second and third, 12 games in the outfield and even pitched one scoreless inning.

Though he had 541 plate appearances in his first full pro season, the Padres obviously wanted to see more. In 14 games this fall, he has 3 homers, 14 RBI and a .245 average.

DeCriscio said he knows homers are not his game in discussing his future while playing for the Fort Wayne (IN) Tin Caps this summer.

Sometimes a slow roller hit the other way can be a fun-loving walkoff moment, as DeCriscio proved against the Lake County Captains this summer.

DeCriscio Baseball Development

The energetic 23-year-old somehow found time to start his own baseball school this year. Let him tell his own story as he has on the school’s website:

“My name is Justin DeCriscio. At just 5’6”, 105 pounds my freshman year, I was able to break into the varsity roster at Orange Lutheran High School. As a 4-year letterman, in my final year, I earned a Rawlings High School Gold Glove at SS and Male Athlete of the Year. I went on to play Division I baseball at the University of San Diego, starting at 2B and 3B my freshman year before moving to SS for my final two seasons. At USD, I learned not only the technical side of the game, but how to compete at the collegiate level – how to prepare, simplify, make quick adjustments, and use failure to improve.

“After three years, I transferred to NC State to push myself in a new environment, where I worked with a highly respected coaching staff and was ultimately drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft. I was often overlooked because of my size and told I’d “never play professional baseball.” I continue to use that as motivation to prove I can make a difference at the highest levels.

“In 2026, after receiving countless messages for advice, I decided to launch DeCriscio Baseball Development (DBD). My goal is to help players maximize their potential by providing the tools, mindset, and preparation needed to compete and win at the highest level. I work with a small group of players, focusing individually on each player’s mindset, strengths, and approach so they can perform confidently and make an immediate impact. I wasn’t gifted with size like many other athletes, so I learned to excel in all other aspects of the game. As you move up, the most important question becomes: “Does he help us win? My job is to help you make the answer to that question an undeniable, “YES.”

Danny Worth, his manager this fall with the Peoria Javelinas, agrees with all that.

“Justin does a great job anywhere I put him,” said Worth, the Padres’ minor-league infield coordinator. “He’s always working, trying to get better, exactly the kind of reliable player you want. He’s got work to do at the plate but he’s picked it up there recently.”

Worth is a good tutor for his willing pupil DeCriscio. He had similar skills as a player. Like DeCriscio, he even was called upon to pitch.

At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Worth was a second-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2007 out of Pepperdine and played 11 years of pro ball, getting into 151 MLB games for the Tigers (2011-14) and Houston Astros (2015). He also played second, short and third well but had only a .223 batting average in MLB and .262 with only 24 homers in 751 minor-league games.

DeCriscio And The Padres

The organization obviously believes the infielder has a future and sought to increase his development this fall.

In 2027, San Diego infielder Jake Cronenworth turns 33, shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Manny Machado both turn 34. The Padres’ utility infielder Sung-Mun Song hit only .191 this year at age 29. That could be Song’s MLB swan song.

The three starters will need more rest. Carson Tucker hit .270 at Double-A San Antonio and may be given consideration for a utility spot in spring training. That’s clearly a role that DeCriscio could claim with the 2027 San Diego Padres.