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A top prospect reportedly self-deported to his native Mexico after pleading guilty to a human trafficking offense in Arizona.
San Diego Padres prospect Humberto Cruz has pleaded guilty to a charge of receiving money to transport non-citizens to the United States.
According to The Athletic, Cruz, who was in the country legally on a work visa, was driving a vehicle that transported two immigrants into the country illegally. 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 reach the Lukeville port of entry to pick up the passengers.
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Humberto Cruz of the San Diego Padres poses for a photo during 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 could 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 disappointed many people I deeply respect. I understand that my actions fell 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 failing to maintain the level of professionalism you deserve. To the fans, I am sorry for letting you down and failing to live up to the trust placed in me.
“I commit to reflecting on this moment, learning from it, and taking appropriate actions to move forward in a positive and responsible manner. I will cooperate fully with the organization and any actions requested of me. … Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me with support and honesty. I understand that trust must be earned, and I am prepared to do that through my actions going forward.”
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)
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The pitcher admitted to officials that he responded to an ad inviting 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 charge in November in exchange for prosecutors dismissing a felony charge of transporting illegal aliens for profit. He was sentenced to 30 days in prison plus time served.
The plea agreement, according to The Athletic, indicated that Cruz understood that his expulsion would be “virtually inevitable and a virtual certainty.”
The Padres placed Cruz, whom they signed in 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 a rookie and A-ball, Cruz pitched to a 7.58 ERA. MLB.com ranks 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)
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The Padres did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
