Trevor’s top Padres prospects

MLB Pipeline has released their mid-season update of their prospect rankings. This ranking includes the newest draftees. The Padres, as you can imagine, came away looking pretty well.

This update includes the top 30, top 100, and the positional rankings. The Padres have Mackenzie Gore at number three, in the top 100, Luis Urias is at number 20, Luis Patino is at 33, CJ Abrams at 48, Xavier Edwards is at 78, Adrian Morejon is 87th, and Logan Allen rounds out the Padres inclusion is at 98.

As usual, Pipeline did a good job. There are just a few things I would do a little differently. Just remember how subjective all this is, which is the beauty of it.

1) Mackenzie Gore, LHP

I mean, come on, Is this surprising at all?

2) Luis Urias, INF

Split hairs if you want, either Gore or Urias could be the top prospect.

3) CJ Abrams SS/OF

In terms of pure potential, Abrams is an exciting player. He has speed and pop. His focus early will be on developing his bat, which is off to a hot start in his career. As he moves through there will be questions about his defensive home, which I expect to be in the outfield.

4) Xavier Edwards, INF

Since being drafted, Edwards has shown a mature approach. Frankly, dude can flat out play. He’s hitting convincingly over .300 in the lower part of the minors this year, and in my opinion will be a quick mover in the system.

5) Luis Patino, RHP

Patino is a very exciting arm. In almost any other system he would crack the top three easily. By this time next year, he could be number one for the Padres. He’s got the stuff and he has the results.

6) Adrian Morejon, LHP

It’s nice to be this deep and still have guys in the top 100 prospects. This is a great system.

7) Logan Allen, LHP

There isn’t much to say about these guys who are in the MLB, we know what they can do. Guys like Allen have tons of talent and just are waiting for their prospect clock to run out.

8) Luis Campusano, C

I am very high on Campusano. He looks like a very well rounded player at the lower levels and could provide a dual threat as a catcher.

9) Ryan Weathers, RHP

Weathers was a first round pick in 2018 for a reason. Dude can play. He’s got the bloodlines, but he can play himself.

10) Joey Cantillo, LHP

This is one I am passionate about. Now, does it matter if Cantillo sits at 10 or 15? Probably not. But Cantillo has earned top 10 respect by how well he has performed. He’s turned being a mid-round selection into being a regular on Pipelines prospect team of the week. He is a big lefty, still just 19 years old, boasting dominant numbers in Fort Wayne.

11) Michael Baez, RHP

Once again we’ve seen him, Baez has a future with the Padres.

12) Austin Allen, C/1B

Austin has future first baseman written all over him because of his big frame. He also should become a solid left-handed bat down the road.

13) Andres Munoz, RHP

The man with the 80-grade fastball. The electricity from his arm can shock you just by talking about it. If he can reign in the control, he can be a very reliable closer for the Padres.

14) Ty France, INF

You know that guy that you are irrationally high on? That is Ty France for me. Every time I watch him I can’t help but see something there. I’m not preaching future Hall of Famer or anything, but I see a higher ceiling for him than most. Yes, I’m probably crazy. Though he is hitting a meager (lol) .380 with El Paso right now.

15) Hudson Potts, INF

Power is the name of Potts game, or at least the headliner. Of the players in the Padres system, he fits the bomb or bust mold the best. That is exhibited by his 105 strikeouts in 75 games with Amarillo this year. His bat speed is a thing of beauty though.

16) Owen Miller, INF

From the jump, the Padres knew they were getting a solid bat with Miller. That is still true. He has great bat-to-ball skills, hitting .288 with a 66/32 K/BB rate through 97 games in Amarillo.

17) Gabriel Arias, INF

The Padres signed Arias back in 2016 knowing they could get a solid glove. Early in his career, Arias as shown some pop in his bat too. He’s got 11 bombs this year with a .290 average with Lake Elsinore. His defensive ability gives him a nice floor to build up from.

18) Reginald Preciado, INF

Admittedly, I don’t know much about Preciado. He was considered a top international prospect this year, and the Padres signed him for $1.3 million. What I like about him is his frame. The switch hitting 16 year old has a 6’4” frame to build on.

19) Joshua Mears, OF

In terms of potential, I believe Mears belongs on any organizational ranking somewhere. He is big and powerful, but very raw. He might disappear for a year or two, but something will click and he will explode. At least the power will. Don’t expect Mears to hit for average.

20) Hudson Head, OF

I was not the biggest fan of this selection when the Padres made it. That being said, I am starting to change my mind. Head’s game right now is speed. However, the high school bat has some offensive upside that is hard to ignore.

21) Tirso Ornelas, OF

With Ornelas, he could climb quite a bit to start next year, but he isn’t quite there for me. He has size, he has a mature approach, and he can become a very solid corner outfielder. His struggles this year have deterred me a bit, but 19 there is little to worry about yet as far as his future.

22) Logan Driscoll, C

This is another guy the Padres just drafted that I think is undervalued from the jump. He was drafted over slot value in an effort to conserve slot money, but he is an advanced hitter from the catcher position. He is only 10 games in, but off to a hot start in his career. I am a believer in what he could become.

23) Tucupita Marcano, INF

Marcano might have the best bat to ball skills in the entire farm system. He does not strike out a lot. He’s hitting close to .300 in Fort Wayne, and defensively should get looks at shortstop, but likely will wind up at second.

24) Ismael Mena, OF

Mena was also just signed as an international free agent, I do not know a ton. He draws comps to Gregory Polanco, and figures to be a physical presence down the road.

25) Blake Hunt, C

The Padres have some decent catching prospects, Hunt is among them. He still has some development on his path to the MLB, but he is impressive defensively and that will carry him as his bat comes around,

26) Ronald Bolanos, RHP

While Bolanos has a starters build, he is more likely to become a bullpen weapon. He has an upper 90’s fastball with a decent breaking pitch. Should he develop his changeup more, he has a honest shot at being a back end arm/spot starter type.

27) Trevor Megill, RHP

Megill is 25, but he is playing well in El Paso right now. His 6’8” 235 pound frame helps. He could be a solid relief option for the Padres, all he needs is the chance. In 35 innings with the Chihuahuas he has a 3.34 ERA with 47 K and only 13 BB.

28) Esteury Ruiz, INF

Ruiz is a great athlete. His future is surrounded by the phrase ‘could be’. By that, I mean he has the tools, but they need to be put together. He has speed and pop, but his approach hat the plate needs some refinement. There are some who believe he can become an everyday player at the highest level. I think he could blossom into a bench role. Either way, it should take some time.

29) Reggie Lawson, RHP

Look, if you are looking for tools, Lawson has some. Mostly his fastball right now, which sits in the mid-90’s. He also as a projectable curve. It hasn’t translated with Amarillo, but we will see how he looks when he comes back from the IL.

30) Buddy Reed, OF

You would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t think Reed still can find himself and become the toolsy player that made him a second rounder in 2016. He is fast, he can play defense, and he could hit for average and power. The latter is what is holding his game back more than anything. He just hasn’t put it together at the plate, though he is making adjustments to try and strikeout less and that will help. \

Just missed

Instead of continuing this, here are the highlights of guys I like that didn’t quite make the list: RHP Drake Fellows, RHP Pedro Avila, OF Jeisson Rosario, OF Michael Gettys, RHP Henry Henry. I know I will stand on an island here, but I’m also a fan of Dwanya Williams-Sutton.

Final thoughts: This stuff is subjective. If you disagree, then you could be right. That is what makes the front office job so hard. I’ve watched this system as much as I could, and this is how I see things. Also, this is a really good farm system.