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El Paso Chihuahuas set for 2026 home opener; top players, promotions
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- El Paso Chihuahuas set for 2026 home opener; top players, promotions
The El Paso Chihuahuas should be in a good place as their 13th year in El Paso dawns.
They went 81-68 over the full season, contended for a playoff spot into the final days of the 2025 season and return nine players from that team.
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The El Paso Chihuahuas had their opening day festivities on March 28, 2025 at Southwest University Park
Manager Pete Zamora, who in another example of continuity began his third season with the club when El Paso opened Friday, March 27, in Sacramento with a 9-3 win, certainly noticed that, but that wasn't what he gave as his first impression of this club.
"I didn't know much about them coming into spring training because of an influx of changes and guys moving on," Zamora said. "I'm really impressed with the athleticism, particularly looking at some of the outfielders coming in here.
"Our scouting director (Pete DeYoung) brought in some athletic, young, energetic kids. It showed off in big league spring training, some of them were there until the very end."
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Then there is that continuity.
"When you bring back one of the best shortstops I've seen in Triple-A Mason McCoy , you bring back Clay Dungan and Nate Mondu, not only are you bringing back good defenders, you're bringing back good people and good leaders," Zamora said.
"I was excited to find out all three would be here. Obviously, they want to be in the big leagues as much as we do, but having them here solidifies this team again. Midway through last year, our team catapulted, and it was because of the leadership on this team and continues to be on this team."
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What the 30-year-old McCoy notices is how savvy this older team is.
"We have more of a veteran group," he said. "You'll see a lot of hit and runs, putting the ball in play, tagging up. It's winning baseball. We don't have selfish guys on the team; everyone is selfless."
Infielder Samad Taylor is making his Chihuahuas debut this season, but faced them many times last year with Tacoma in the Seattle Mariners organization.
"I love El Paso," he said. "Coming here the last two years, I loved playing here. I love how the ball flies here. I'm ready to put numbers up and see where we go."
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Here is a guide to what the Chihuahuas have in store this season.
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El Paso Chihuahuas infielder Mason McCoy (7) prepares for the game on "Harry Potter Night" against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys to start at Southwest University Park on Saturday night, July 26, 2025.
5 El Paso Chihuahuas to watch
Mason McCoy, shortstop
McCoy spent last season between El Paso and San Diego and was on the Padres' postseason roster, though he did not have a postseason appearance. In 90 games with the Chihuahuas last season, McCoy hit .272 with 22 doubles, 11 home runs, 59 RBI, and a .354 on-base percentage. He has had 43 career appearances in Major League games.
El Paso Chihuahuas infielder Nate Mondou poses for a portrait in the team’s dugout during Chihuahuas Media Day on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Southwest University Park. The team’s home opener on Friday, March 28.
Nate Mondou , second baseman
Mondou spent last season with the Chihuahuas, where he batted .308 with 27 doubles, four triples, six home runs, and 74 RBI. He also had the second-longest hitting streak in El Paso history in 2025, getting a base hit in 22 straight games from June 24 to July 24. He made his MLB debut for the Oakland A's in 2022.
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Garrett Hawkins, right-handed pitcher
The 26-year-old enters this season as the Padres' No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He spent last season between High A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio. After getting called up to San Antonio in August, he was 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 13 relief outings. He had 20 strikeouts over 16.0 innings pitched.
Sean Boyle, right-handed pitcher
Boyle came to the Padres this offseason after spending the first seven years of his pro career in the New York Yankees organization. He spent last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he led the team with 134.2 innings pitched. He made 28 appearances (23 starts), going 9-9 with a 4.61 ERA and 120 strikeouts.
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Jase Bowen, centerfield
Bowen led Padres spring training with 16 hits. A former 11th-round draft pick of the Pirates, he has spent his entire career there until signing with the Padres this offseason. He played in every level of the minors last year and finished with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he had a .294 batting average and .386 on-base percentage in 36 games.
The El Paso Chihuahuas are going bigger than ever this season with 14 Saturday nights packed with fireworks, along with fun themes, giveaways and jersey auctions.
2026 El Paso Chihuahuas promotional schedule
The Chihuahuas have a promotion of some sort on virtually every night of their 75-game home schedule. A full list of promotions is online. Highlights include Star Wars Night on June 6, Independence Day fireworks on July 3 and 4, and Harry Potter Weekend Aug. 21 and 22.
El Paso Chihuahuas April giveaways
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April 7 (Tue) Opening Day, rally towels, Albuquerque Isotopes, 6:35 PM
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April 10 (Fri) Southern Rocker Giveaway, Albuquerque Isotopes, 6:35 PM
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April 11 (Sat) Fireworks, Albuquerque Isotopes 6:35 PM
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April 12 ( Sun ) Chico Shirt Giveaway, Albuquerque Isotopes 12:05 PM
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April 24 (Fri) Reversible Jersey Giveaway, Reno Aces 6:35 PM
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May 9 (Sat) Fireworks, Tacoma Rainiers 6:35 PM
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May 22 (Fri) Camo Jersey Giveaway, Round Rock Express 6:35 PM
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May 23 (Sat) Fireworks, Round Rock Express 6:35 PM
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May 24 (Sun) Fireworks, Round Rock Express 6:05 PM
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June 4 (Thu) Christopher McDonald guest appearance, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 6:35 PM
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June 5 (Fri) Retro Hat Giveaway, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 6:35 PM
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June 6 (Sat) Star Wars Night and jersey auction, fireworks, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 6:35 PM
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June 18 (Thu) Pride Night, Reno Aces 6:35 PM
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June 20 (Sat) Disney's Toy Story Night & Jersey Auction, fireworks, Reno Aces 6:35 PM
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June 21 (Sun) Father's Day hat giveaway, Reno Aces 6:05 PM
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July 3 (Fri) Independence Day Weekend fireworks, Sacramento River Cats 6:35 PM
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July 4 (Sat) Independence Day Weekend fireworks, Sacramento River Cats 6:35 PM
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July 17 (Fri) Chico Nutcracker Giveaway, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 6:35 PMJuly 18 (Sat) Fireworks, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 6:35 PM
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July 19 (Sun) Mini Chico Bobblehead, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 6:05 PM
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Aug. 1 (Sat) WWE Night, fireworks, Albuquerque Isotopes 6:35 PM
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Aug. 2 (Sun) Kids jersey giveaway, Albuquerque Isotopes 12:05 PM
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Aug. 14 (Fri) COPA Bobblehead Giveaway, Salt Lake Bees 6:35 PM
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Aug. 15 (Sat) Fireworks, Salt Lake Bees 6:35 PM
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Aug. 16 (Sun) Prince & Princess Day, jersey cooler giveaway, Salt Lake Bees 12:05 PM
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Aug. 21 (Fri) Harry Potter Weekend, reversible bucket hat giveaway, Round Rock Express 6:35 PM
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Aug. 22 (Sat) Harry Potter Weekend and Jersey Auction, fireworks, Round Rock Express 6:35 PM
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Aug. 23 (Sun) Helmet piggy bank giveaway, Round Rock Express 12:05 PM
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Sept. 3 (Thu) COPA cap giveaway, Las Vegas Aviators 6:35 PM
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Sept. 4 (Fri) Football Kick-Off Night, football jersey giveaway, Las Vegas Aviators 6:35 PM
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Sept. 5 (Sat) Fireworks, Las Vegas Aviators 6:35 PM
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Sept. 15 (Tue) 915 jersey giveaway, Oklahoma City Comets 6:35 PM
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Sept. 18 (Fri) Hat Dance bobblehead giveaway, Oklahoma City Comets 6:35 PM
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Sept. 19 (Sat) Fireworks, Oklahoma City Comets 6:35 PM
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Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Chihuahuas 2026 season preview and schedule
