With six open spots on the 40-man roster, the Padres dipped into a thinned-out farm system to protect two minor leaguers from next month’s Rule 5 draft.

Right-handers Miguel Mendez and Garrett Hawkins — ranked No. 5 and No. 19, respectively in the organization by MLB.com — comprised the additions to the 40-man roster, bringing the Padres’ total to 36.

Mendez jumped as much as any prospect left in a system raided again at the trade deadline , as he threw 95 innings (3.22 ERA) split between low Single-A Lake Elsinore, high Single-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio. The 23-year-old had a 1.32 ERA while striking out 70 batters over 12 starts (61⅓ IP) in the Midwest League. Mendez fizzled in six starts in the Texas League (8.06 ERA), but he boasts plenty to dream on, namely a fastball th

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