Top MLB prospect self-deports after pleading guilty to transporting undocumented immigrants

The career of a Major League Baseball top pitching prospect is on hold indefinitely after he pleaded guilty to a charge related to human smuggling and self-deported to Mexico.

Humberto Cruz, 19, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge tied to accepting money to transport undocumented immigrants within the U.S. in November, according to The Athletic. Under his plea agreement, he acknowledged that his removal from the country was “practically inevitable.”

Cruz is ranked fifth among San Diego Padres prospects by MLB.com. He signed for $750,000 in 2024 out of Monterrey, Mexico. He had already been expected to miss the 2026 season due to arm surgery he underwent in September.

“To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect,” Cruz, who is now back in his native country, said in a statement.

“I am committed to reflecting on this moment, learning from it, and taking the appropriate steps to move forward in a positive and responsible manner,” he added.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by The Athletic, Cruz was arrested October 28 in southern Arizona.

That morning, Border Patrol agents spotted a BMW with Mexican license plates near Lukeville with one person inside. Soon after, they saw the same car again, this time with multiple occupants, and became suspicious.

After stopping the vehicle, agents identified Cruz as the driver. He had entered the U.S. legally on a visa, while the two passengers were Mexican citizens who had crossed the border illegally, including one who had been deported just days earlier.

The complaint says the top pitching prospect told investigators he answered a social media ad looking for drivers “to pick up people for easy money.” Cruz also said he knew the passengers “were illegal.”

“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, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

He was charged with felony transportation of illegal aliens for profit and a misdemeanor count of accessory after the fact to improper entry, according to the outlet.

His November plea agreement dismissed the felony charge in exchange for a guilty plea to the lesser offense and the understanding that deportation was virtually inevitable.

“I take responsibility for my conduct and recognize the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us,” Cruz said in his statement. “To my teammates and coaches, I apologize for becoming a distraction and for not upholding the level of professionalism you deserve. To the fans, I am sorry for letting you down and for failing to meet the trust placed in me.”

The Independent has contacted the Padres for comment.