MLB Draft 2016: San Diego Padres select high school SS Hudson Sanchez with 24th overall pick

For the first time since 2009, the Padres used a first round pick on a high school position player. Back then it was OF Donavan Tate; today it was Carroll High School (TX) SS Hudson Sanchez. The Friars selected Sanchez with the 24th overall pick, a selection they received as compensation for Justin Upton signing with the Detroit Tigers in the offseason.

Let’s look at the scouting report snippet from MLB.com on Sanchez:

He has a quick right-handed bat and has done a good job of adding strength to his 6-foot-3 frame. He could hit for average and power and profile at a number of positions. That helps his cause, because few scouts think Sanchez can stay at shortstop at the next level. His hands, arm and instincts are fine, but he lacks the quickness to be a middle infielder in the big leagues. He could wind up at third base or on an outfield corner, and catching could be an option but would detract from his bat.

That sound pretty promising, right? A.J. Preller and company certainly must have thought so. However, many of the prospect ranking experts were not that impressed. For example, Baseball Prospect ranked Sanchez as the 91st best player in the draft. This also comes on the heels of the Padres selecting Cal Quantrill 8th overall who wasn’t ranked by most in the top 10. At best, the start of this draft by the Padres is considered unconventional. Nevertheless, I still like the player, but the debate will be as to whether the Padres are getting the best value for their picks.

Even though Quantrill hasn’t pitched in a while, I did find some video of him courtesy of YouTube and Baseball America.

Previous Pick:

#8 overall: RHP Cal Quantrill

Check out our MLB Draft 2016 primer for information on following this year’s Draft, and join the conversation in our MLB Draft 2016 Day One Open Thread.