Humberto Cruz, one of the San Diego Padres’ top prospects, pleaded guilty in a federal case linked to a migrant smuggling operation in southern Arizona, according to court documents revealed by *The Athletic*.
The 19-year-old Mexican pitcher—considered one of the organization’s premier pitching gems—admitted last November to the federal misdemeanor charge of being an accessory after the fact regarding the unlawful entry of individuals into the United States. As part of the plea agreement reached with authorities, his departure from the country was all but sealed.
Sources cited by the U.S. media outlet indicated that the pitcher voluntarily deported himself to Mexico and confirmed that the defendant—identified as Humberto Federico Cruz Guajardo—is indeed the player whom the Padres signed in February 2024 for a $750,000 bonus.
A native of Monterrey, Cruz was ranked among the organization’s top five prospects by various specialized publications—even after undergoing elbow surgery last September, a procedure that already appeared likely to sideline him for the entire 2026 season.
Neither the ballplayer’s attorneys nor his representatives offered any comments regarding the case. For their part, the San Diego Padres did not issue any additional statement, though they did share a message signed by the player himself.
“I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect,” Cruz stated in the message released by the organization.
“I understand that my actions fell short of the standards expected of me as a professional and as a representative of this organization. I take responsibility for my conduct and acknowledge the impact this has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us,” added the Mexican right-hander.
Cruz also offered apologies to his teammates, coaches, and fans, vowing to learn from the incident and to rebuild trust through his future actions.
