The San Diego Padres top 30 prospect list is out and here is an evaluation of each of the players.

By Diego Solares

East Village Times

The San Diego Padres have not had much success in recent memory. The team has not had a winning season since 2010 and has not made the playoffs since their National League Division Seriees loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. It has certainly not been an exciting decade for Padres fans across the world.

Times are changing, however, as general manager, A.J. Preller and the Padres are on the way up. San Diego nabbed the two biggest fish on the free agent market in the last two offseasons, Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado, and finally looks like a team that can compete for a championship.

The reason behind this? An absolutely loaded farm system with incredible talent scattered throughout all its’ minor league levels.

For the second straight year, I will be breaking down each of the Padres’ top 30 prospects according to MLB.com’s Pipeline. These evaluations will take into consideration the positives and negatives of each prospect, upside, estimated time of arrival to the major leagues, and some projections.

1. Fernando Tatis, Shortstop

Depending on what your viewpoint is, there may not be a better prospect in all of baseball than Fernando Tatis.

After breaking his thumb halfway through his first full season at the Double-A level, many envisioned that Tatis would start the season with the El Paso Chiuahahas, the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate. This all changed after a phenomenal performance in the Dominican Winter League, where the 20-year-old phenom led his hometown Estrellas Orientales team to a championship for the first time in 50 years. His performance over the winter, paired with a solid spring and the support of several big league teammates was enough for the prized prospect to find his way on the major league roster at the end of spring training.

There is certainly a lot to like about Tatis, both offensively and defensively. He has one of the higher offensive ceilings among minor league players in recent memory as Tatis hits for both average and power. The 20-year-old knows how to use all parts of the field, and there is a realistic shot that we see him put multiple seasons with a batting average above .280 and 30+ home runs. Once he reaches base, which he does quite a lot, Tatis is an immediate threat to swipe a bag with his instincts on the bases and his incredible speed. A few years ago scouts profiled him to have average speed, which simply is not true. He can run with the best of them and could be a true 30-30 threat when he is in his prime.

It is not a realistic thought that Tatis could also win a few gold gloves throughout his career. He possesses natural lateral range and his 6’3″ frame aids him in having a fantastic vertical range as well. His arm is more than suited to play shortstop, which is his best position long-term, and he just has a knack for making a play on any ball in his vicinity. The Padres may already have the best defensive duo in baseball with Machado and Tatis on the left side of their infield.

Several comparisons come to mind when thinking about Tatis and you can’t really go wrong with any of them. At his absolute worst, Tatis projects to be Andrelton Simmons with more power. If he reaches his true potential, which is very possible, then he is essentially Manny Machado. Regardless of what happens, it is safe to say that the Padres will not be disappointed with Fernando Tatis Jr. for years to come.

2. MacKenzie Gore, LHP

When the Padres selected MacKenzie Gore with the third pick in the 2017 MLB draft, many scouts and analysts believed that he would ultimately be the best player to come out of that draft class. This did not appear to be the case last season as Gore struggled mightily in his first full pro season and was plagued by blister injuries. The 20-year-old left-handed pitching prospect is entering the 2019 campaign fully healthy, as proven by his dominant performance in a scrimmage game against a Mexican league team a few weeks ago.

The most intriguing thing about Gore is the fact that he possesses four pitches with “plus” potential. This means that when he is fully developed, the Whiteville native could have four above-average major league pitches. His fastball tends to sit in the mid-90s, but Gore was recently touching 98 mph during his outing in Mexico. Gore’s go-to putaway pitch his curveball, which typically sits in the mid-70s and has a great vertical break to it. His power slider and a solid changeup round out arguably the most impressive arsenal in the minor leagues. Not only are all of his pitches tremendously advanced, but he also commands each pitch well and throws them for strikes at any point in the count. His 6-foot-3 frame is ideal for a major league starter, and his sneaky good athleticism allows him to repeat one of the funkiest deliveries in the minor leagues.

At his absolute worst, Gore is a back-end starter on a very good team. His upside, however, is a front-of-the-rotation starter with the potential to be an ace. There is a ton of things going for him, primarily his insane repertoire, that suggests he will have a very successful major league career. If all goes well for Gore, there is a possibility for him to compete for a rotation spot in 2020 with the Padres.

3. Luis Urias, Second Baseman

Prior to spring training this year, Luis Urias seemed to be one of the only players in camp with the Padres that had his spot secured. Urias was the odds-on favorite to start at shortstop on opening day until phenom Fernando Tatis was called up, which would then move Urias over to second base and bump veteran Ian Kinsler into a super utility role. Everything but that happened for the 21-year-old prospect as Tatis stole the show and Kinsler dominated spring training, while Urias struggled mightily with his approach at the plate.

This demotion should not take anything away from Urias, however, as the Mexican native is still one of the more refined hitting prospects in all of baseball. His calling card has and always will be his ability to put solid contact on the baseball, which is what he struggled with mightily this spring. It appeared that Urias was trying to hit for more power this spring instead of just living in the gaps like he normally tends to do. His bat-to-ball skills are otherworldly, and he has the strike zone recognition of a veteran despite only being 21 years old. Urias does not tend to strikeout a lot, except for this spring where he struck out way too much, and just finds ways to get on base at an above-average clip. Defensively speaking, Urias is an above-average defender at second base that can also play shortstop fairly well. He has an above-average arm, has good range, and soft hands that allow him to play a quality defensive second base.

Urias might have the highest floor of any prospect in this system not named Fernando Tatis, as his offensive and defensive skills will allow him to be an average major league player at least. One of the sneaky good player comparisons for Urias is his current teammate, Ian Kinsler, as Kinsler has a career batting average of .271 and gets on base at a .339 clip while playing gold glove caliber defense and being a solid leadoff hitter for the majority of his career.

4. Francisco Mejia, Catcher

The Padres acquired Fransisco Mejia a few weeks before the trade deadline last season in a deal that sent relief pitchers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber to the Cleveland Indians. Mejia, who was once the top catching prospect in all of baseball, is one of the more advanced offensive catching prospects in the last decade.

His 50-game hitting streak in 2016 was the longest such streak since 1963 and his career .293 batting average in the minors speaks to his offensive skills. The 23-year-old is a switch-hitter, which is unusual for a catcher. He has a knack for barreling up the baseball despite his short stature. His power comes from his quick hands, as Mejia can turn on any pitch and drive it into the gap with no problem. For a player playing a position that is not known for its offensive production, Mejia’s offensive skills are extremely impressive.

The biggest question marks surrounding Fransisco Mejia almost exclusively come from his defensive game. His arm has never been a concern, as several scouts and coaches have said that Mejia might have the best arm on a catcher that they have ever seen. The rocket that he has on his right arm allows him to control the running game, which is obviously an important part of being a catcher. Mejia’s receiving skills are the biggest question mark, as he does not currently have the traditional skills needed to be a solid pitch framer. He has improved in his department over the years, but Mejia needs to continue improving if he wants to be the catcher of the future for the Padres.

Mejia is one of the most talented prospects in this system, but he does need to improve certain aspects of his game if he wants to become a solid major league catcher. The Padres have been hesitant to package him in a trade and do not intend to move him from behind the plate because they believe he has what it takes to one day be that for them. Mejia’s bat is going to play at the big league level, which is why there is serious potential for him to one day be the best offensive catcher in baseball. The big thing to follow with him, however, will be if he can improve his skills defensively.

5. Chris Paddack, RHP

The arrival of Chris Paddack to San Diego this season provided a tremendous boost to a pitching staff that desperately needs it. Paddack was acquired from the Miami Marlins in a deal that sent former all-star closer Fernando Rodney to the Marlins in June of 2016. Shortly after his acquisition, Paddack suffered a forearm strain that required Tommy John surgery and would sideline him for the entire 2017 season. His return to the minor leagues in 2018 was one of the more incredible recovery stories in recent minor league memory.

Paddack dominated both the California League and Texas League last season. In only 90 innings pitched, the 23-year-old posted a 2.10 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP, 120 strikeouts, and only eight walks. His dominant 2018 campaign paired with an incredible spring training was enough to earn the former eighth-round pick a spot in the Padres’ 2019 rotation.

Paddack’s arsenal is essentially compromised of two pitches, with a third pitch in the making. His fastball usually sits in the 94-96 mph range and has a good run to it. He has an impeccable command of his fastball and can spot it anywhere in the zone at any point in time. His changeup is easily his best pitch, and might be one of the best pitches out of any prospect in the top 100, and is already an above-average big league pitch in the eyes of some scouts. It has a great dip to it and is noticeably slower than his fastball which aids in keeping the hitters off balance. Paddack’s third pitch, his curveball, is still in the developmental phase but has shown signs of life. He is going to have to be able to throw it for strikes early and often if he wants to be able to consistently maneuver through big league lineups. Paddack’s best attribute is his competitiveness and poise on the mound. Nothing phases this kid, and he has that “killer” instinct that not everybody has.

Paddack is right up there with any pitching prospect in all of baseball. He has dominant stuff and controls it effectively, giving him a devasting duo that will allow him to compete in any game he’s pitching in. If his curveball can become an average pitch than Paddack has front-line starter written all over him. His command and poise still give him the opportunity to be a third or fourth starter even if that curveball does not develop.

6. Luis Patino, RHP

In 2017, Fernando Tatis burst onto the scene with the Fort Wayne TinCaps when he broke the franchise record with home runs, while also swiping 29 bases. Last year, Luis Patino put his name on the radar after a dominant season-long performance with the TinCaps.

Signed out of Colombia in the 2016-2017 international spending period, Patino posted a 2.16 ERA over 83 1/3 innings with 98 strikeouts and only 24 walks as an 18-year-old last season. The right-hander has a funky windup, similar to that of his good friend MacKenzie Gore, and shows off his athleticism by repeating it consistently. While he might not be the most intimidating figure on the mound, Patino’s fastball sits in the 93-95 mph range and touched 98 mph at times last season. His power slider is easily his best off-speed pitch and generates a lot of swings-and-misses, but Patino’s curveball has a good break to it. He is still developing a changeup that, if it comes around, would give him four pitches that are graded 50+ on the scouting scale. His command is not an issue, as Patino consistently peppers the strike zone with all of his offerings.

There is certainly a ton of upside surrounding Patino, as he is already well-developed as an 18-year-old. He was shut down last season after he reached his workload limit and it will be interesting to see how many innings the Padres will let him go this season. If Patino continues on his current trajectory, it would not be a surprise to see him with the Sod Poodles at some point this year, and he could potentially compete for a rotation spot next spring training. Patino still has a long ways to go until he is ready to crack the big league roster, but there is a lot of potential within this young hurler.

7. Adrian Morejon, LHP

After defecting from Cuba in 2015, the Padres signed Morejon for a franchise-record $11 million the day he was declared an international free agent. Morejon was dominant in the first half of 2018, posting a 3.30 ERA over 62 2/3 innings with 70 strikeouts and 24 walks with the Lake Elsinore Storm. Injuries plagued him after a promotion to Double-A, as flexor soreness and triceps discomfort led to him only making two starts in the entire second half.

Morejon is as polished as any pitcher in this system and is a very good athlete on the mound. His delivery is smooth, and he repeats it well, leading to him throwing a lot of strikes consistently. The 20-year-old commands a fastball that regularly sits at 94-96 mph and did touch 98 mph at times last season. He throws both a knuckle-changeup and a standard changeup that both are graded as above-average pitches by scouts. Both of his changeups compliment his fastball well as they have good movement to them and keep hitters off balance with a noticeable speed difference. His curveball is currently graded as better than his changeups, which is an improvement over last year, and if it continues to develop could be a true “out” pitch for Morejon down the line.

Morejon is one of the more unheralded pitching prospects in all of baseball, as some scouts believe that he could be the best out of all these talented young pitchers in the Padres’ system. Health is the biggest thing with Morejon, as he missed significant time last season because of his inability to stay healthy. This 2019 campaign could be a big one for him, as Morejon is slated to start the year out with the Double-A Sod Poodles but could easily make the jump to Triple-A if he stays healthy. The Cuban native has the stuff to be an ace but is more than likely going to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter.

8. Michel Baez, RHP

Continuing the string of pitching prospects in this system is none other than right-handed prospect Michel Baez. Signed during the 2016 international spending period, Baez was one of the more dominant pitchers in his inaugural 2017 season with the Fort Wayne TinCaps. He started the 2018 season with Lake Elsinore and was ultimately promoted to Double-A, where he will begin his 2019 campaign.

Baez might be one of the more intimidating pitchers to face, as he stands at a massive 6-foot-8 and is just a physically imposing figure. The 23-year-old throws from a three-quarters slot that gives his fastball some natural run to it. His fastball can easily sit in the high 90’s, but Baez has issues with repeating his delivery consistently that ultimately lead to a dip in his velocity at times. His power slider is his best pitch, as it has a great late break to it and could truly become a wipeout pitch one day. Baez also possesses a curveball and a changeup, and while both are average pitches, his changeup is the better of the two.

Baez’s biggest problem is his consistency. He does pound the strike zone well for someone with inconsistent mechanics, but the decrease in velocity that comes with the lack of consistency is worrisome. His fastball/slider combination could truly become elite one day just because of how well they play off of each other. Despite the fact that Baez is currently a starter, his role is probably better suited as a relief pitcher. Only having to pitch one or two innings per game, as opposed to the regular workload of a starter, will make it so that Baez could get away with his inconsistent mechanics more often.

9. Logan Allen, LHP

The Padres acquired Logan Allen from the Boston Red Sox in a trade that sent perennial all-star closer Craig Kimbrel to Boston. Allen, who at the time was considered the worst prospect in that trade, has worked his way up the Padres’ system and finally put himself on the prospect radar. Allen was dominant in 2018, as he was 14-6 with a 2.54 ERA, 151 strikeouts, and 51 walks over 148 2/3 innings pitched across both the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Allen also earned Texas League Pitcher of the Year honors despite being promoted to Triple-A in August.

Allen’s pitching arsenal is not going to blow hitters away, but his aggressiveness and competitiveness on the mound are enough to get hitters out. He has no problem attacking hitters and does not shy away from throwing any pitch at any time in the count. The southpaw’s fastball velocity has improved, as his fastball sits between 92-94 mph with good movement to it. Just like Chris Paddack, Allen’s best secondary pitch is his changeup as it plays well off of his fastball and keeps hitters off balance. Both his curveball and slider are still developmental pitches, with his slider being the higher graded pitch, and Allen will continue to improve these pitches as he progresses through the system.

Many scouts believed that Allen was the most major league ready prospect competiting for a spot in the Padres’ rotation this spring. He might not have the most impressive arsenal of pitches, but Allen knows how to pitch and knows how to get hitters out effectively. The 21-year-old might be the surest pitcher out of this bunch, as you know exactly what he is going to be when he develops: a quality major league pitcher that can withstand a starter’s workload at the next level.

10. Ryan Weathers, LHP

The 2018 first-round pick by the Padres is currently the team’s 10th overall prospect and the 10th left-handed pitching prospect in all of baseball. The 19-year-old prospect got his first true test of professional baseball last season when he made three starts with the Fort Wayne TinCaps just a few months after being drafted.

Weathers was an interesting pick by the Padres, as some might argue there were better players available, but he is still a solid prospect regardless. His fastball sits between 90-93 mph and has good movement to it, making it a difficult pitch to hit despite there not being a ton of velocity associated with it. Both his curveball and changeup are solid pitches but they will both need to develop as Weathers progresses through the minor leagues. He commands his pitches well with a consistent and repeatable delivery but lacks a true “out” pitch that he is absolutely going to need as he gets older.

The 19-year-old seems to be one of the more slept on prospects in this organization because of the fact that some scouts were surprised that the Padres selected him. He is a very solid prospect that could rise through this system quickly with the development of his secondary pitches. Weathers. the son of former Blue Jays reliever David (Stormy) Weathers, projects as a back-end starter, but the upside and talent for him to be a front-of-the-rotation starter are there.

11. Josh Naylor, OF/1b

The Padres’ 11th overall prospect was acquired by the team in a trade that sent right-handed pitcher Andrew Cashner to the Marlins in exchange for Josh Naylor. The 21-year-old spent the entire 2018 campaign at the Double-A level and demolished the ball, posting a .297 batting average and smashing 17 home runs in 128 games.

Naylor improved in almost every category last season, which is obviously a good sign in terms of his progression. He continued to build off his natural raw power and started to consistently make hard contact to all parts of the field. His strikeout and walk rate lowered last year and Naylor only struck out five more times than he walked. The power, as shown by his 17 home runs, has always been there and should continue to develop as Naylor matures as a hitter.

The question marks surrounding the Mississauga, Ont. native come with the glove, as Naylor is not the most polished defensive player. His natural position is first base, but with Eric Hosmer there, the Padres have experience with moving Naylor to a corner outfield spot. This has not gone well, to put it nicely, as Naylor has struggled in the outfield and is continuing to look more like a designated hitter moving forward. He lost around 15-20 pounds prior to the 2019 season and has always been a sneaky good athlete for someone of his stature.

Naylor is the biggest reason as to why the Padres will be one of the team’s in favor of bringing the DH to the National League. His bat is going to play at any level regardless of the defensive concerns and he could seriously be a legitimate offensive weapon one day. The organization as a whole is very high on him and they will continue to find a way to get him in their future lineup.

12. Cal Quantrill, RHP

The former first-round pick out of Stanford saw arguably the biggest drop in prospect rankings from 2018 to 2019. Most scouting departments and websites had Quantrill as one of the Padres’ top pitching prospects prior to last season, but after a somewhat disappointing 2018, he dropped down in a lot of those lists.

While Quantrill has a deep arsenal of pitches he really only has two effective ones. He controls his mid-90s fastball extremely well and can place it on either side of the plate without a problem. His changeup, one of the best in the entire system, is his best secondary pitch as it has a noticeable dip in velocity from his fastball and cuts down in the zone effectively. Both his curveball and slider are still developmental pitches, but if he can gain control of either one, Quantrill would have a solid mix to work with.

Despite having a quality spring, Quantrill was just edged out for a rotation spot by Nick Margevicius. He looked like a quality pitcher at times during the spring but also struggled tremendously at times. With a rotation spot on the line, Quantrill has knocked around in his last spring start and did not look like he was ready whatsoever. The injury concerns are gone, as supported by his 148 innings pitched last season, so Quantrill is going to have to put 2018 behind him and ensure that 2019 is a bounce-back season.

With the Padres’ currently having rotation issues and being desperately in need of someone to give them quality innings, Quantrill may get his major league shot sooner rather than later. He is one pitch away from having a solid mix that could translate into outs at the big league level.

13. Anderson Espinoza, RHP

The former top prospect is finally healthy and ready to continue his path towards the major leagues. Acquired by the Boston Red Sox in the Drew Pomeranz trade, Espinoza was the team’s prized prospect before tearing his UCL a few months after he was acquired. He missed the entire 2018 season recovering from the surgery and is ready to toe the rubber in 2019.

When Espinoza is healthy he has the makeup of a quality pitching prospect. His fastball has always been electric and comes out of his hand really easily because of his smooth delivery. Espinoza’s heater tends to sit in the 94-96 mph range but can touch triple digits and has some arm-side movement. His changeup is already graded as a plus pitch and while his curveball still needs development, it has shown flashes of also being a plus pitch.

Espinoza’s talent and ability have never been a concern, but rather if he can stay healthy for an entire season. His innings will be monitored and limited by the team this season in hopes of ensuring that the 21-year-old does not have any complications with his arm. A healthy Anderson Espinoza has the potential to have a Chris Paddack-like season in 2019 and potentially compete for a rotation spot next season.

14. Xavier Edwards, SS

In about five years, the biggest steal of the 2018 MLB draft might be the Padres’ selecting Xavier Edwards with the 38th pick in the draft. The former Vanderbilt commit signed with the Padres for $2.6 million, which is around $700,000 more than his draft slot’s value.

Edwards had an immediate impact in his first professional season, as he earned a promotion to short-season Tri-City from the Rookie-level Arizona league only 21 games into his professional career. The 19-year-old has one of the more impressive skill sets in the system, as he combines his ability to make pure contact with a 70-grade run tool. His plate discipline is advanced for someone his age and he knows how to spray the ball to all areas of the field. Edwards is known for his elite speed that could one day earn an 80-grade from scouts. He is more than capable defensively to stick at shortstop long-term, but with Fernando Tatis Jr. likely being the team’s shortstop of the future, a shift to second base might be coming soon.

The only real concern with Edwards is his size, 5’10”, but his playmaking ability and skill set make up for the lack of size. If Edwards has success with the TinCaps, a promotion to Lake Elsinore should never be ruled out. Once all the Padres’ top prospects graduate this season, Edwards could very well slide into the MLB.com Top 100 prospects list. He is definitely a prospect to monitor this season.

15. Hudson Potts, 3B/2B

Prior to the signing of Manny Machado, Hudson Potts was seemingly penciled in as the Padres’ third baseman of the future. With Machado locked up to a 10-year deal, however, the Padres have decided to not give up on their former first-round pick. Potts came into the system as a shortstop and then made a transition to third. The expectation now, however, is that Potts will see some time at second base.

Potts is known for his ability to clobber the baseball, as him and Fernando Tatis became the first 18-year-old in over 30 years to hit 20 home runs in the Midwest League. He continued to demolish baseballs in 2018, as Potts homered 21 times in his second professional season. Unlike the prospects ahead of him, Potts is not going to find himself at the top of any hitting lists. While he can hit for some average, the power that he possesses should be considered a real threat. Potts is athletic enough to move across the diamond and play any position that the Padres’ need him to, as he played all four infield positions in spring training. His glove is not a concern and he is a solid defensive player.

The organization continues to be high on Potts and they rightfully should be. He has all the tools necessary to be a middle-of-the-order bat at the major league level when he fully develops. The 20-year-old has advanced through the system quickly and will start with the Sod Poodles in 2019, but a mid-season promotion to Triple-A El Paso should not be ruled out by any means.

16. Tirso Ornelas, OF

Signed by the Padres for $1.5 million in 2016, Ornelas was one of the prized international players that the Padres acquired during their massive spending spree. The Mexican native comes from the same Mexico City Red Devils team that produced both Luis Urias and Andres Munoz.

Ornelas has the perfect frame for an outfielder as he stands at 6’3″ and weighs roughly around 200 pounds. There is potential for him to fill out and put some muscle on, but his size alone is a reason for scouts to fall in love with him. The 19-year-old shows a solid understanding of the strike zone and demonstrates a disciplined approach at the plate. He’s a solid hitter, but Ornelas needs to tap into some of that natural power that he possesses. He only hit eight home runs last season in over 300 at-bats and needs to start elevating the baseball more if he wants to refine his overall offensive game.

Despite playing center field for a majority of last season, Ornelas does not project as a center fielder long-term and does not impress with his overall physique in the outfield. He does have a strong arm, but he is not nearly a good enough athlete to play centerfield at the major league level and does not get a good first read on the baseball. His best fit is as a corner outfielder that can do some damage with his arm when the ball is hit to him.

Ornelas is loaded with potential and could be an impact player one day if he can figure out how to elevate the baseball more.

17. Buddy Reed, OF

Outside of Xavier Edwards, Buddy Reed is the best athlete in this system and it really isn’t close. The 48th pick in the 2016 MLB draft has skyrocketed up prospect lists after a breakout 2018 season that saw him earn a Futures Game selection.

Reed hits from both sides of the plate and does so effectively, as he has a solid swing and looks comfortable from either side. Not known for being a power hitter, Reed has shown flashes of some untapped power within that could translate to 15-20 home runs in a few years. He is a ridiculously good athlete that absolutely flies on the basepaths (51 stolen bases last season) and in the outfield grass. Reed’s 6’4″ frame is perfect for an outfielder and he is arguably one of the best defenders in the entire system.

Despite tearing up the California League last season, Reed struggled tremendously when he was promoted to Double-A posting a .179 batting average and striking out 63 times in 179 at-bats. His high strikeout rate has plagued Reed for his entire career and he will need to be more patient at the plate as he makes his way through the system. The inconsistencies have to be a concern, as Reed has only been good for one half-season throughout his professional career.

Reed has to prove that 2018 was not a statistical commonly in order to keep his name up there on prospect lists. He is a very gifted athlete that just needs to be patient at the plate to truly be a great player.

18. Luis Campusano, C

The Padres made Campusano the first catcher selected in the 2017 draft when they took him with the 39th overall pick. Signing at around $1.3 million, Campusano played the majority of the 2018 season with the Fort Wayne TinCaps before a concussion put an end to his season.

Campusano is one of the plethoras of talented catchers the Padres have in this system. Despite not putting up impressive power numbers in 2018, Campusano has natural raw power in his swing that should develop over time. He has a strong arm that delivers accurate throws to second base and has one of the lower pop-times for his level. The 20-year-old is a solid receiver and should have no problem sticking at catcher long-term.

Campusano’s approach at the plate is questionable at times. He lacks plate discipline and needs to start being more patient on pitches that he can do damage with. Campusano has shown flashes of greatness at times but has struggled to maintain it. The potential is there for him to turn into an above-average bat at the next level, but he needs to make some minor changes for that to occur. With the major-league caliber catchers that the Padres’ already have, Campusano will likely be a valuable trade piece for the Friars.

19. Jacob Nix, RHP

The Padres selected Nix in the fifth-round of the 2015 MLB draft and signed him for $900,000. Nix ascended to the major leagues quickly and made his major league debut last season for the Padres. He struggled, to put it nicely, and posted a 7.02 ERA in nine starts at the major league level. Nix was fighting for a spot in the team’s 2019 rotation before he went down with a UCL strain that will sideline him for an extended period of time.

Nix’s biggest problem last season was his inability to generate swing-and-misses with any of his pitches. His fastball sits around 93-95 mph and comes out of his hand very fluidly, but hitters just don’t miss it. Nix possesses a plus curveball that is easily his best pitch and has a sharp break to it. Even his best offering does not generate a lot of whiffs and Nix is going to have to figure out how to miss bats or he will not be successful at this level. His changeup is a work in progress, but he can throw it for strikes and looks comfortable when he throws it.

His ability to throw strikes will never be in question, but Nix just doesn’t strike enough batters out to have consistent success. With the success that the Padres’ young rotation has had in 2019, Nix will likely spend the year in Triple-A when he returns from his injury and will get his opportunity to compete for a starting spot in 2020.

20. Austin Allen, C

The Padres have a knack for catching prospects that just absolutely rake. Allen is no different than the rest, and when it is all said and done, he might be the best hitter of them all. A fourth-round pick in the 2015 MLB draft, Allen has done nothing but destroy the baseball at whatever level he’s been at. The 6’2″ backstop has hit 20+ home runs in back-to-back seasons and has never posted a batting average below .280.

Allen has a sweet swing from the left side that generates hard contact to all parts of the field. His hands allow his bat to get in the zone quickly and he barrels up baseballs on a consistent basis. Once he fully develops, Allen has the potential to hit 25+ home runs on a yearly basis and be a middle-of-the-order type of bat. He struck out quite a bit in 2017, but Allen lowered that number in 2018 by making adjustments to his swing and becoming more comfortable with the strike zone. As far as his defense goes, Allen is never going to be even close to the type of defensive catcher that Austin Hedges is. His calling card will always be offense and if his defense comes, then so be it. While he has a good arm, his ability to transfer the baseball from his glove to his hand needs improvement. His receiving skills are sub-par and need work, although Allen has improved both of these areas over the years. There is potential for him to be an average catcher, but he will never truly be a great defensive backstop.

Allen’s offensive ability and his sub-par defense might make him a prime candidate to move from behind the plate to first base. His bat is going to play at the major league level and teams are going to find a way to get him into their lineup regardless of how poor his defense is.

21. Tucupita Marcano, SS

With arguably the greatest name in all of professional baseball, Tucupita Marcano has to be one of the more underrated prospects in this system. Signed by the Padres in the 2016-2017 international period for only $320,000, Marcano made his professional debut last season and batted .366/.450/.430 between the Arizona Rookie League and the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Marcano’s contact skills are a thing of beauty. His 60 hit tool as a 19-year-old speaks for itself, but the Venezuelan native makes consistent hard contact with the baseball and knows how to drive pitches into the gaps. His knowledge and comfort with the strike zone are impressive, as Marcano struck out fewer times (16) than he walked (30) last year. Defensively, Marcano is currently a shortstop but a below-average arm and the arrival of Fernando Tatis Jr. likely means that Marcano will shift over to second base at some point in his career.

A strong 2019 season for Marcano could see him skyrocket up some prospect lists. He has the tools necessary to be a quality player at the next level and he just needs to continue to develop on the track that he’s on to get there. Marcano will start the season with the Fort Wayne TinCaps and it’s very likely that he will be in Lake Elsinore at some point this year.

22. Jeisson Rosario, OF

Coveted as one of the best athletes in his international class, the Padres signed Jeisson Rosario for $1.85 dollars in 2016. Rosario made his full-season debut last season with the TinCaps, where he batted .271/.368/.353 with 18 stolen bases.

Rosario is your prototypical gritty contact hitter. He’s not much of a power guy, although his 6’1″ frame suggests there is potential for some power to come, but he consistently makes solid contact with the baseball and gets on base at a high rate. Rosario is very disciplined for his age and recognizes what pitches he can do damage with and which ones he should let go. His speed makes him a legitimate threat on the base paths and allows him to cover plenty of ground in the outfield, where he projects as a plus defender.

While Rosario’s lack of power might be a concern, his overall hitting ability, and his borderline elite athleticism should make up for it. The only thing this kid needs is to continue to develop his abilities and he has the potential to be an everyday major league player.

23. Edward Olivares, OF

Acquired by the Padres in the Yangervis Solarte trade, Olivares has been an interesting prospect since joining the system.

Olivares has a long and lanky frame that allows him to extend his arms and drive the ball consistently. He makes solid contact and has a simple swing that gets the job done. While he might not be hitting for much power now, his frame suggests that there is a potential for consistent power if he just fills out and bulks up. Olivares is an above-average runner on the basepaths and uses this speed to aid him defensively, where he can play all three outfield positions and projects to be an above-average defensive player as well.

Despite the fact that he put up solid numbers last season in the California League, Olivares is 23 years old and is not necessarily on the “fast track” to the big leagues. He was primarily playing in a league full of 19 and 20-year-olds last season and did not dominate and likely won’t sniff major league action until he is 25 or older. His ability to get on base is worrisome as well, as his on-base percentage has decreased every single year since his professional debut. While there is some upside here, Olivares is likely a trade piece or just organizational depth at this point.

24. Andres Munoz, RHP

Signed by the Padres in the 2015-2016 international spending period, Munoz comes from the same Mexican team that produced both Luis Urias and Tirso Ornelas. The 20-year-old Sinaloa native might be one of the team’s more impressive prospects, as Munoz signed with the Padres as a 17-year-old and is already knocking on the doorsteps of the major league club just three years later.

His repertoire is simple: power fastball and slider. Munoz’s fastball consistently sits in the triple digits as he is easily one of the hardest throwers in the entire minor leagues. His slider plays off his fastball well and gives him a strong secondary pitch that he can use to put batters away on a consistent basis. While Munoz does possess a changeup, it is a below-average pitch and he primarily sticks with his two-pitch mix.

The only real problem with Munoz is his control. He walks way too many batters and has trouble finding the strike zone at times, which is obviously detrimental to his ability to be a reliable bullpen arm at the next level. When he is on and in control, Munoz is close to being unhittable. He is one simple fix away from being a devastating closer and should see his first taste of major league action this year.

25. Gabriel Arias, SS

Gabriel Arias was one of the top prospects of the 2016-2017 international spending period and the Padres’ paid him nearly $2 million to ensure his services. He was promoted to Fort Wayne almost immediately in 2017 and had a solid start to his professional career. Arias did not build well off his inaugural success, however, as the 19-year-old batted .240/.302/.352 with the TinCaps last season and seemed to be in a slump all year.

Despite the lack of offensive production last season, there is still plenty of room for Arias to grow. He is still very young and was a highly touted international prospect for a reason, as scouts obviously saw something they liked in him. His swing looked simple and easy in training camp this spring as opposed to the long swing he had last season. Getting his bat into the zone earlier will allow him to drive the ball on a more consistent basis, as opposed to last year where he struggled to make consistent hard contact.

Arias offensive struggles last year were clear, but he did showcase his incredible defensive ability. He has all the necessary tools to play short (arm strength, footwork, glove work, etc.) and most scouts agree that he will be an above-average defender once he fully develops. Despite dropping on most prospect lists, Arias is still very young and has plenty of time to figure his struggles out. His name should be on most radars as a guy to skyrocket up prospect lists if he has a solid 2019 season.

26. Owen Miller, SS

The Padres’ selected Owen Miller with their third-round pick in 2018 and the former Illinois State Redbird might be the first player from his class to reach the big leagues. Miller dominated at short-season Tri-City and low-A Fort Wayne last year and will start the 2019 season with the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Padres’ Double-A affiliate.

Miller has hit well at every single level he’s ever played at. The 22-year-old batted .336/.386/.460 with 100 hits over 75 games in his first taste of professional action. He has quick hands and consistently makes solid contact to all sides of the field. Miller is a mature hitter and has advanced knowledge of the strike zone despite his lack of professional experience.

Despite being a tad bit undersized, Miller has the tools necessary to be a big leaguer. His bat is going to play at any level, he’s a great athlete with good speed, and his glove is solid. He’s currently a shortstop and has played there since his college days, but the Padres’ will probably experiment with playing Miller at second base to fit their future needs.

27. Esteury Ruiz, 2B

Acquired by the Padres’ prior to 2017 trade deadline, Ruiz should be considered one of the more underrated prospects in this system.

The 20-year-old made his professional debut with the TinCaps last season, where he batted .253/.324/.403 with 12 home runs, 111 hits, and 49 stolen bases. Despite only weighing in at 170 pounds, Ruiz has a lot of power in his swing and makes solid contact with the baseball. His baserunning ability is a major part of his game, as Ruiz is aggressive on the basepaths and is already a legitimate threat when he gets on base.

Ruiz is a solid hitter, but his plate discipline is below-average and he strikes out way too much. He needs to be more patient and find ways to get on base more often as his baserunning ability is a legit weapon. Defensively, Ruiz is a below-average defender with a below-average arm that likely means he is stuck playing second base. The tools are there for Ruiz to be an impact major-league player, but he needs more development and will probably not be close to major league ready for another two or three years.

28. Osvaldo Hernandez, LHP

Osvaldo Hernandez was another product of the Padres’ 2016-2017 international spending spree, as the left-handed pitching prospect signed a $2.5 million contract with the Friars at the age of 18. Hernandez made his professional debut in 2017 but established himself on the prospect’s radar in 2018 when he went 11-4 and posted a 1.81 ERA over 109 and 2/3 innings pitched with the TinCaps.

Hernandez is not an overpowering pitcher by any means, but his ability to just simply pitch is what makes him such an intriguing prospect. His fastball primarily sits in the low 90s with some glove side movement and has touched 94-96 before. His curveball is his best secondary offering by far and is an effective putaway pitch for Hernandez. Both his slider and his changeup are serviceable pitches that he can throw for strikes but they do not hail in comparison to what his curveball is and will likely never be anything more than just average pitches.

The best thing about Hernandez is the fact that he just knows how to pitch. His ability to consistently change speeds and keep hitters off balance for a 20-year-old is very impressive and a good sign for his development. None of his pitches project to be anything special at any time in his career but his ability to consistently throw strikes and keep hitters guessing is going to aid Hernandez on his quest to reaching the big leagues. His upside is a Dallas Keuchel-like pitcher that just knows how to get hitters out.

29. Reggie Lawson, RHP

Reggie Lawson, in my opinion, is the most confusing and inconsistent prospect in the entire Padres’ system. The Padres drafted Lawson in 2016 and signed him for almost twice his slot value, showing the high confidence that the organization has had in him since day one.

His arsenal is made up of three pitches, all of which are quality offerings. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with the ability to touch high-90s on the radar gun. Lawson’s curveball is his best pitch and can truly be an elite pitch when he throws it the right way. An improved changeup that plays well off his fastball gives Lawson another quality pitch to consistently keep hitters off balance.

While Lawson’s repertoire might be impressive, the young right-hander needs to improve in a lot of areas. There is not a lot of consistency in his delivery which makes it hard for him to frequently throw strikes and is a big reason as to why his walk numbers are quite high. Lawson’s career minor league numbers are awful (5.31 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .270 BAA) and a solid 2019 is an absolute must at this point for Lawson. The potential is there for him to be apart of the Padres’ rich future, but Lawson needs to figure it out as soon as possible as he is far from being a major leaguer.

30. Blake Hunt, C

The Padres selected Blake Hunt in the 2017 MLB draft with a competitive balance round B pick, where Hunt bypassed a commitment to Pepperdine and signed for $1.6 million. Hunt’s first full season as a professional will be in 2019, where he will likely spend the entire year with the Fort Wayne TinCaps.

Catchers typically aren’t as large as Blake Hunt, 6’4″, but the organization believes that Hunt can stick at the position long-term despite his stature. Hunt’s frame alone suggests that he has raw power, but his swing has a lot of moving parts to it and he does not consistently make enough solid contact with the baseball. His calling card is his defense, as Hunt already has a 60-grade arm and was arguably the best defensive catcher in his draft class. The 20-year-old’s pop time regularly sits under 1.9 seconds and he is a decent framer for how professionally inexperienced he is.

Hunt is not as polished of a prospect as Luis Campusano, who was selected in the same draft as him, but there are still a lot of things to like about him. He is very raw overall as a prospect and needs to continue to develop both offensively and defensively. The potential for him to be a contributing major league player is there, but Hunt needs a lot more seasoning until he is ready.