Padres prospect reportedly loses work visa after pleading guilty to transporting undocumented immigrants

Humberto Cruz won't be able to pitch in the U.S. for a while.

(Rob Leiter via Getty Images)

Humberto Cruz, a 19-year-old pitcher ranked by MLB Pipeline as San Diego’s No. 5 prospect, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to taking money to transport undocumented immigrants within the United States, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Cruz, a Mexican national, is reportedly now back in Mexico after acknowledging in his plea agreement that it was a “virtual certainty” he would be deported from the U.S.

Per the Union-Tribune, it is the Padres’ understanding that Cruz has lost his work visa for 10 years, with the ability to reapply after five years of good behavior. Cruz released a statement through the Padres apologizing for his “recent lapse in judgement,” the entirety of which can be read below.

Cruz was reportedly arrested on Oct. 28 near the town of Lukeville, Arizona, after U.S. Border Patrol noticed his BMW SUV heading southbound with only a driver, then northbound with two new passengers a short time later. The agents were reportedly suspicious a vehicle could make it to the Lukeville Port of Entry and back so quickly and stopped the car.

Both passengers reportedly turned out to be undocumented immigrants. Cruz, meanwhile, apparently didn’t hide much from the agents:

Cruz waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with the agents, telling them that he responded to a social media advertisement offering “easy money” for driving people, according to the complaint. According to the complaint, he told the agents he knew “they were illegal” and expected to be paid $1,000 for every person he picked up and transported.

“When asked why he decided to transport illegal aliens, he stated he needed the extra money as he does not work in the late afternoons,” the complaint stated.

Cruz signed with the Padres in 2024 for a $750,000 bonus, per Pipeline.

He initially faced a a felony count of transporting undocumented immigrants for financial gain and a misdemeanor count of being an accessory after the fact to improper entry into the U.S., per the Union-Tribune. He reportedly pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor in November to get the felony dismissed and was sentenced to 30 days in prison with credit for time served.