Latos started his professional career in 2007, minor league baseball with the Eugene Emeralds, the Padres' Class A-Short Season affiliate in the Northwest League.
Pitching in 16 games for Eugene, Latos had a 1–4 record and a 3.83 ERA.
In 2008, Latos started the season with the Fort Wayne Wizards of the Class A Midwest League, but missed playing time during the season due to abdominal and shoulder injuries.

The Padres invited Latos to spring training in 2009, but he suffered a minor ankle sprain that limited his appearances.
Latos started the 2009 season in Fort Wayne and allowed only one run in four starts.
He was then promoted to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League.
At San Antonio, Latos had a 5–1 win–loss record and threw five perfect innings in his last start for San Antonio on July 9.
Between Fort Wayne and San Antonio, Latos had an 8–1 record, a 1.38 ERA, 73 strikeouts, and a .168 batting average against (BAA).
The Padres named Latos their Padres Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May. Latos was selected to play in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game, and threw one scoreless inning.
Latos started his professional career in 2007, minor league baseball with the Eugene Emeralds, the Padres' Class A-Short Season affiliate in the Northwest League. Pitching in 16 games for Eugene, Latos had a 1–4 record and a 3.83 ERA. In 2008, Latos started the season with the Fort Wayne Wizards of the Class A Midwest League, but missed playing time during the season due to abdominal and shoulder injuries.
The Padres invited Latos to spring training in 2009, but he suffered a minor ankle sprain that limited his appearances. Latos started the 2009 season in Fort Wayne and allowed only one run in four starts. He was then promoted to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League. At San Antonio, Latos had a 5–1 win–loss record and threw five perfect innings in his last start for San Antonio on July 9. Between Fort Wayne and San Antonio, Latos had an 8–1 record, a 1.38 ERA, 73 strikeouts, and a .168 batting average against (BAA). The Padres named Latos their Padres Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May. Latos was selected to play in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game, and threw one scoreless inning.
Mat Latos