Get to know Padres player development's Allison Luneborg
PEORIA, ARIZ – Prospects like Ethan Salas and Jackson Merrill are a large part of why the Padres have the No. 4 farm system in baseball. But there are many folks behind the scenes who also help make the organization shine. One of them is Allison Luneborg. The Ohio native
PEORIA, ARIZ – Prospects like Ethan Salas and Jackson Merrill are a large part of why the Padres have the No. 4 farm system in baseball. But there are many folks behind the scenes who also help make the organization shine.
One of them is Allison Luneborg. The Ohio native worked her way through facilities and event operations positions at her alma mater, Ohio State, and then with the Florida Collegiate Summer League. She got her Master’s in Sports Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. Since 2022, Luneborg has been a part of San Diego’s player development staff, getting bumped up to director of baseball ops in November. Luneborg is one of about 115 women working in player development among MLB front offices.
This Q&A has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
MLB.com: What does your job entail, day-to-day?
Luneborg: It's different every day, but to start, on the Minor League end right now during Spring Training, we're trying to figure out our rosters and how players are going to break camp to which affiliates. ... A lot of special projects off to the side, whether it's working on prospect lists, putting together our Spring Breakout roster and working with the coaches for that. During the season, it's a lot of transactions, so keeping track of players, where they're at, how they're performing at a certain level, someone gets injured, who's the next person basically to go up to fill in for that spot.
MLB.com: What goes into those roster and transaction decisions?
Luneborg: Minor League coaches who have worked with the player specifically gives us feedback. We have player plans that they work through, so have they met the goals on the player plans? What is the rating on our staff, like one to five? Have they reached the four level where they should move up a little bit? Are they still at that two, three, or maybe they need a little more work before pushing to the next level? So that's something we look at. There's the stats to look at too. [For pitchers we look at] data, strikeout to base on balls is a huge component that we look at on our end, see how accurate they are in the zone, command, stuff. A lot of it goes into it. For position players we obviously talk more with our position coaches. And then we do include higher-ups as well.
MLB.com: What challenges have you faced in your career thus far?
Luneborg: It’s always hard to get that first foot in your door when you're working in sports, whether a man or a woman, so I think I've been just lucky with the experiences that I've had that I've made some really good connections at Ohio State and with the summer league and at VCU. … Obviously baseball has been known as a man's sport where women are trying to get their foot in the door, but I think it's been super helpful here that our farm director [Ryley Westman] and our PD system is very open to everybody, honestly. They're always inviting me or inviting one of the other women like, ‘Come sit in the Minor League coaches’ room for a little bit.’ ‘Come out on the field and watch the practice.’ They really push us to get ingrained with our players and ingrained with our coaches.
MLB.com: What's your favorite part of your job?
Luneborg: I think my favorite part of my job is that you can go to your office and watch a baseball game in the middle of the day. … The other one is really, since I've been here a couple of years, is seeing the Minor League players I got to know and see them succeed at their goals. … That's what we're here for is player development, to see them succeed and develop, and once they do that, it's like ‘Wow, it was all worth it.’
MLB.com: How have you seen the Padres organization develop in the past two years?
Luneborg: The first trade deadline that I really experienced myself was that [Juan] Soto trade where we got Soto and a lot of our players like Robert Hassell, then Robert Gasser [in the Josh Hader deal] were all traded. Everyone says it depleted our farm system, but I really think that helped push it to grow a little bit because we're back up among the top-ranked farm systems, which is crazy after just a year of having lost so many prospects. Our coaches here are incredible. We have daily team meetings and just the things they talk about when they talk about the players. You can just hear the excitement and the love that they have for the guys they work with. And it's really cool to see because this is what's developing them.
MLB.com: Who has stood out this spring?
Luneborg: There’s been quite a few, but one example is [Leodalis] De Vries. I haven't personally connected with him yet but I met him in the [Dominican Republic] when the international signing period [began]. The first time he ever flew over to the US was for Spring Training, which I thought was incredible because he fit right in the first day. He went out in a [simulated] game, had a double. You would never know he just arrived here; it was insane. I see him interact with players out there on different drills and in sim games and the players are including him just like he's been here forever. So, he's someone I'm really excited to see develop more. He'll likely start here in Arizona, but just seeing him develop more, and it's going to be really fun to watch in the future. I also don't want to be cliché but just seeing Jackson Merrill develop.
MLB.com: What is your goal for this season?
Luneborg: My goal is just continue to learn. I'm starting to get a little more ingrained on the Major League end, and I'm just trying to learn more on different roles and transactions up there, and how our front office higher-ups make transactions.
MLB.com: If you had a walk-up song, what would it be?
Luneborg: "Chicken Fried” [by Zac Brown Band]. That was my summer anthem. I swear every summer back when I still lived in Ohio, I loved "Chicken Fried." You would roll down the back roads with your car windows down.
Kelsie Heneghan is a writer for MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan.
SCHEDULE: TinCaps Release 2026 Schedule
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Tuesday, Minor League Baseball released the Fort Wayne TinCaps’ 2026 regular season schedule. The ‘Caps will begin on the road for a three-game series before Opening Day at Parkview Field on Tuesday, April 7, against the Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics affiliate). The 132-game campaign features 66
LIGHTS: Parkview Field Holiday Lights is Back and Better Than Ever
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps are excited to announce the return of Parkview Field Holiday Lights – A Walk-Thru Event – presented by Rohrman Automotive, Paul Davis, and Lear Corporation. The event will be hosted at the ballpark for 44 nights from November 13 to January 3.
ALL-STARS: Mendez and Hawkins Named Midwest League All-Stars
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Fort Wayne TinCaps pitchers Miguel Mendez and Garrett Hawkins have been named 2025 High-A Midwest League All-Stars, Minor League Baseball announced Wednesday. The two are the first TinCaps pitchers to earn postseason all-star selections since Fort Wayne moved to High-A in 2021. They combined for 15
TOP HONORS: TinCaps Micah Gerhart Wins Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – 2025 Fort Wayne TinCaps Head Athletic Trainer Micah Gerhart has been named the 2025 Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year, the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) announced Wednesday. The PBATS Minor League Baseball awards are given annually to one member of each of the
THE BEST: Parkview Field Rated as the No. 1 High-A Ballpark
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - On Tuesday, Stadium Journey ranked Parkview Field, the home of the Fort Wayne TinCaps, as the No. 1 Minor League ballpark among 30 High-A teams. In an article, Parkview Field received a 4.71 ballpark “Fanfare” rating, the highest of any High-A team. The “Fanfare” ranking score
AFL: Five 2025 TinCaps Selected for the Arizona Fall League
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Five 2025 TinCaps, shortstop Ryan Jackson, outfielder Braedon Karpathios, and right-handed pitchers Isaiah Lowe, Johan Moreno, and Maikel Miralles have been selected to represent the San Diego Padres in the Arizona Fall League, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday. In 48 games with the TinCaps, Ryan Jackson
RECORD BROKEN: TinCaps Fans Help Set Guinness World Record
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Over 6,700 baseball fans combined to set a new world record Tuesday as their collective signatures on the World’s Most Autographed Baseball have set a new mark for the most signatures on a single piece of sports memorabilia. The 8-foot, 1,200 pound replica baseball embarked on
PSM TinCaps: Parkview Sports Medicine, TinCaps Launch Travel Baseball Program
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – In collaboration with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Parkview Sports Medicine (PSM) is excited to announce and introduce the new premier Youth Travel Baseball Program in the region, beginning in the 2026 season, the PSM TinCaps. Tryouts for the 2026 season are scheduled for July 15 for
MWL PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Miguel Mendez
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Fort Wayne TinCaps right-handed pitcher Miguel Mendez has been named the July Midwest League Pitcher of the Month, Minor League Baseball announced Wednesday. The No. 4 Padres prospect went 3-1 across four starts, allowing 10 hits and six walks across 24.0 innings pitched. He led the
260 TO THE SUMMER CLASSIC: Five Former TinCaps Named to All-Star Rosters
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Five former Fort Wayne TinCaps, Max Fried (2013 & 2014), MacKenzie Gore (2018, 2021), Andrés Muñoz (2017), Adrian Morejon (2017) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (2017) have been selected to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (July 15 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX) at
Leo De Vries Selected for MLB All-Star Futures Game
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Fort Wayne TinCaps shortstop Leo De Vries has been selected to play in Major League Baseball’s 2025 All-Star Futures Game on Saturday, July 12 (4:10 p.m. ET) at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, home of the Atlanta Braves. Rosters for the National League and American League
MWL PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Eric Yost
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Fort Wayne TinCaps right-handed pitcher Eric Yost has been named the Midwest League Player of the Week, Minor League Baseball announced Monday. On Saturday, June 21, against the Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliate), Yost helped the ‘Caps combine for their second one-hit shutout of the season. After
ONE LAST BITE: TinCaps to Play as Tenderloins for Final Time
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Parkview Field will host the final edition of the Hoosier State Tenderloins Series presented by Indiana Pork from Thursday, June 12, through Saturday, June 14, as the Fort Wayne TinCaps take on the South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs affiliate) in Minor League Baseball action. The TinCaps
260 TO THE SHOW: TinCaps Alums on Opening Day Rosters
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – As the 2025 Major League Baseball season commences, a total of 32 former TinCaps players appeared on MLB Opening Day rosters. Since Fort Wayne’s Minor League Baseball franchise was established in 1993, there have been 228 players who’ve ascended from playing in the Summit City to
WHERE TO WATCH: TinCaps Announce Broadcast Schedule
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Fort Wayne TinCaps fans will again get the opportunity to follow their team wherever they go during the 2025 season. For a third consecutive season, the TinCaps are partnering with 21Alive to showcase select games on MyNetworkTV in the Fort Wayne area, beginning on Friday, April
NEW HOME JERSEY: Now on Sale
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – With Opening Day at Parkview Field less than a month away on Friday, April 4 (7:05 p.m.), the Fort Wayne TinCaps have unveiled a new home jersey for their 2025 season. The white jersey features a new block wordmark that’s dark green and outlined in bright
RECAP: TinCaps Wrap Up 2025 in Grand Rapids
Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps lost their 2025 season finale on Sunday, 5-0 against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers affiliate). Center fielder Kai Roberts went 1-for-3 with a single, a walk, and a stolen base for Fort Wayne (56-75, 25-41) in the loss. The Utah
RECAP: TinCaps Drop Series to Whitecaps
Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps lost their final series of 2025 to the West Michigan (Tigers affiliate), dropping Saturday night's game, 6-1. Fort Wayne (56-74, 25-40) struck first on the road in front of a sellout crowd. Following a one-out, full-count walk from Jonathan Vastine
RECAP: TinCaps Starter Maikel Miralles Earns First High-A Win
Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps beat the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers affiliate) Friday night on the road, 6-1. In his second High-A start, Fort Wayne (56-73, 25-39) starting pitcher Maikel Miralles turned in his second quality start. The 20-year-old struck out six in a career-long
RECAP: TinCaps Lose Third Straight in Grand Rapids
Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps lost their ninth consecutive game 15-2 on Thursday against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers affiliate). Second baseman Rosman Verdugo (No. 23 Padres prospect) stood out for Fort Wayne (55-73, 24-38). The 20-year-old blasted his 13th home run of the season
RECAP: TinCaps Drop Wednesday Tilt in Grand Rapids
Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps lost their eighth straight game Wednesday night, falling 8-4 to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers affiliate) at LMCU Ballpark. After an hour and 27-minute rain delay, West Michigan (89-38, 45-17) struck out 15 batters between six separate pitchers on Wednesday
RECAP: Rosario Drives in Three in Loss
Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps dropped their final series opener of the 2025 season 8-5 on Tuesday against the West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers affiliate). Shortstop Eguy Rosario led Fort Wayne (55-71, 24-37) offensively. The infielder picked up his second straight multi-extra-base hit game by going
RECAP: TinCaps Wrap Home Schedule with 15th Sellout
*Box Score * FORT WAYNE, Ind. – In the home season finale, Parkview Field led the Midwest League in attendance for the fourth straight night behind a sellout crowd of 7,086 as the Fort Wayne TinCaps lost 7-5 to the Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliate). The 15th sellout of the season,
RECAP: TinCaps Fan Show Out in 14th Sellout
*Box Score * FORT WAYNE, Ind. – For the third straight night, Parkview Field led Midwest League attendance with 7,021 fans as the Fort Wayne TinCaps lost 5-2 to the Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliate) Saturday evening. Fort Wayne (24-35, 55-69) is in the top 10 in Minor League Baseball with