After entering a guilty plea to a federal charge related to a people smuggling organization, one of the San Diego Padres’ most promising prospects self-deported to Mexico.
Following an inquiry by federal officials in southern Arizona, 19-year-old right-hander Humberto Cruz accepted the plea in November.
The Padres signed the adolescent in February 2024 with a sizeable $750,000 signing bonus, making him a high-profile overseas acquisition.
Cruz was arrested by Border Patrol officials in October while operating a BMW SUV with Mexican license plates, according to court records obtained by The Athletic.
An hour after the car was spotted moving south toward the border, agents became suspicious when they saw it heading north on State Route 85 close to Lukeville.
Federal prosecutors claim that when officials pulled over the car, they found two Mexican nationals inside who had entered the country illegally.
After a federal probe in southern Arizona, 19-year-old right-hander Humberto Cruz accepted the plea in November.
Cruz allegedly said investigators that he had reacted to a social media post that offered “easy money” to drivers who would transport people across state lines.
The pitching prospect acknowledged that he was promised $1,000 per person and that he was navigating to particular pickup spots using “pin drops” that were emailed to his phone.
Cruz struck a bargain with prosecutors to enter a guilty plea to a lesser misdemeanour after being charged with a crime of transporting illegal aliens for financial gain.
In exchange for a 30-day jail sentence, the government dropped the felony offence, which carried a maximum penalty of 10 years.
Cruz ultimately decided to self-deport to Monterrey after being informed that his expulsion from the United States was a “virtual certainty” due to the conviction.
“To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgement that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect,” the pitcher said in a statement issued by the Padres regarding what he called a “recent lapse in judgement” that disappointed his supporters.
I acknowledge that my behaviour has not lived up to the expectations placed on me as a representative of this company and as a professional.
“I take responsibility for my conduct and recognise the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us,” the pitcher said in a statement issued by the Padres, expressing “sincere regret” for what he called a “recent lapse in judgement” that disappointed his supporters.
“I apologise to my coaches and teammates for not maintaining the level of professionalism you deserve and for becoming a distraction.” I apologise to the fans for disappointing them and not living up to their expectations.
Cruz is still on the minor-league restricted list, but the Padres organization has mostly refrained from commenting on the legal procedures.
The athlete’s professional development in the United States is essentially stopped while he is on the restricted list because he is not allowed to use team facilities and his pay is suspended.
