San Diego Padres' top pitching prospect, right-hander Humberto Cruz, reportedly self-deported to Mexico after pleading guilty in connection with a human smuggling case in Arizona.
Cruz, 19, ranked as San Diego's No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline, pleaded guilty in November to a federal misdemeanor charge connected to transporting undocumented immigrants inside the United States. The plea agreement led prosecutors to dismiss a felony charge of transportation of illegal aliens for profit, which carried a potential maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
According to court documents, Border Patrol agents stopped Cruz on Oct. 28 near Lukeville, Arizona, after observing his BMW SUV first traveling southbound with only Cruz inside before later heading north with two passengers. Agents reportedly became suspicious because the vehicle would not have had enough time to legally travel to and from the Lukeville Port of Entry.
The complaint stated that both passengers were Mexican citizens who had entered the United States illegally, including one individual who had reportedly been deported just four days earlier. After waiving his Miranda rights, Cruz told agents he responded to a social media advertisement offering “easy money” for drivers and said he expected to receive $1,000 per person transported. He also admitted he knew the passengers were undocumented immigrants.
Cruz, a Mexican citizen who entered the United States legally on a work visa, acknowledged in the plea agreement that deportation was “practically inevitable and a virtual certainty.” He has reportedly now returned to Mexico. The Padres understand that Cruz is barred from holding a work visa for 10 years, though he may become eligible to apply again after maintaining five years of good behavior, according to the Union-Tribune.
“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 I deeply respect. I understand that my actions have fallen short of 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 conduct and recognize the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us. To my teammates and coaches, I apologize for becoming a distraction and for not upholding the level of professionalism you deserve. To the fans, I am sorry for letting you down and for failing to meet 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. … Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and honesty. I understand that trust must be earned, and I am prepared to do that through my actions going forward.”
San Diego signed Cruz out of Monterrey, Mexico, for a $750,000 bonus in February 2024. After undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August, he was rehabbing at the team's Arizona complex when the arrest occurred.
In 2025, Cruz made 14 starts across rookie ball and Low-A, finishing with a 7.58 ERA. Over 16 appearances between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A Lake Elsinore, he recorded a 7.20 ERA while still drawing praise from scouts for his long-term upside. The Padres placed him on the restricted list on March 13, a designation that bars players from team facilities and suspends salary eligibility.
