NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
A top pitching prospect has reportedly self-deported himself to his native Mexico after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor offense related to human trafficking in Arizona.
San Diego Padres pitching prospect Humberto Cruz pleaded guilty to a charge of receiving money to transport noncitizens within the United States.
According to The Athletic, Cruz, who was legally in the country on a work visa, was driving a vehicle transporting two illegal immigrants in the country. 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 suspected Cruz would not have had enough time to arrive at the Lukeville port of entry to pick up passengers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
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 demonstrates good behavior.
“To my teammates, the organization, our fans and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent error in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect. I understand that my actions have not lived up to 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 having become a distraction and for not maintaining the level of professionalism they deserve. To the fans, I regret having disappointed you and not having lived up to the trust placed in me.
“I am committed to reflecting on this moment, learning from it, and taking appropriate steps to move forward in a positive and responsible manner. I will fully cooperate with the organization and any steps required of me…Thank you to everyone who has provided me with support and honesty. I understand that trust must be earned and I am prepared to do so through my actions in the future.”
Fans arrive at the entrance gates of 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)
REDS ANNOUNCERS ARE PRAISED BY ‘HIGH SCHOOL MISTAKE’ AGAINST DIVISION RIVAL CUBS AS HORRIBLE LOSING STREAK CONTINUES
The pitcher admitted to officials that he responded to an ad for drivers “to pick up people for easy money” and was offered $1,000 per person, knowing “they were illegal,” The Athletic said.
Cruz pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in November in exchange for prosecutors dismissing 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, stated that Cruz understood that his deportation would be “virtually inevitable and virtually certain.”
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 was rehabbing at the team’s spring training facility in Arizona in late October at the time of his arrest.
In 14 starts as both a 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 the St. Louis Cardinals on April 3, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
The Padres did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
