Joshua Mears, once a highly touted second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, has officially retired from professional baseball at just 24 years old, the San Diego Padres confirmed on Tuesday. Mears made his decision after appearing in 47 games this season with Double-A San Antonio, where he struggled at the plate.
Padres: A Promising Start Derailed
Mears, selected 48th overall out of Federal Way High School in Washington, showed flashes of his potential early on. In the 2019 Arizona Summer League, he led his team in home runs and ranked near the top in RBIs and stolen bases. His early success earned him a top-30 prospect ranking in the Padres’ system, peaking at No. 10 by 2021, ahead of future big leaguers.
The scouting reports were glowing. MLB Pipeline once praised Mears’ “tremendous raw power” and athleticism, calling him a “capable defender” with upside in all areas. However, his development was consistently hampered by high strikeout rates, injuries, and a lost minor league season due to COVID-19 in 2020.
Decline in Production
Despite his raw tools, Mears’ production fell sharply as he advanced through the minors:
- 2021 (A – Lake Elsinore): .244/.368/.529, but 39.1% strikeout rate
- 2022 (A+/AA): .223/.304/.511 (A+), .169/.266/.373 (AA), K rate over 43%
- 2023: Two IL stints, .158/.291/.347 in limited games
- 2024: .167/.256/.306 with a strikeout rate above 47% in Double-A
The inability to reduce his strikeouts became a major obstacle. In six minor league seasons, Mears never reached the majors.
Looking Ahead For Mears
Though his pro baseball career ends earlier than expected, Mears leaves behind a journey filled with promise, power, and perseverance. The Padres organization and fans will remember him as a player who once carried big MLB potential and never stopped working to reach it.
As he steps into the next chapter of his life, Mears will now shift focus to life beyond the diamond. A transition many former athletes make as they chase new goals and new dreams.
Read More: The 15 Worst No. 1 Overall Picks in MLB Draft History
