10 More Padres’ Prospects to Watch in 2018

Days from now the Minor League Baseball full-season leagues begins and Padres’ prospects hit the field attempting to get one step closer to the ultimate goal of making the show.

In this article, I will continue to breakdown some of the top Padres’ prospects to keep an eye this season.

Hudson Potts

This 19-year-old third baseman, shortstop and second baseman, was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft out of Carroll Senior High School. Hudson Potts originally committed to play college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies, but chose to sign with the Padres. Potts signed for $1 million, which was well below the slot value for his pick and much closer to the money he would have received if picked in the second-third round where most predicted him.

In 2016, Padres director of amateur scouting Mark Conner visited Padres Social Hour to discuss the draft, he noted the Padres had a private workout with Potts the morning before selecting him in the first round. “If you spend time with him, get to know him as a person, understand how young he is, understand his ability [and his] skill set, it’s not a reach. There’s a lot of strategy that goes into it.”

June 20, 2016, Potts was assigned to the Rookie AZL (Arizona League) Padres-1 team and was promoted to the (A-) Tri-City Dust Devils on August 19, 2016. In 2016 Potts combined for a .280 batting average with 18 RBI and a .705 OPS between both teams.

April 2, 2017, Potts was assigned back to minor league (A) Fort Wayne where he played the complete season. He played in 125 games, 491 at-bats, 23 doubles, 20 home runs, 140 strikeouts, a .253/.293/.438 hitting line and .731 OPS.

February 23, 2018, Potts was assigned to San Diego Padres. Still a teenager Potts had a stand out spring training playing in eight games with a .500 batting average, four home runs, five RBI, a .500 slugging percentage and 1.750 OPS.

Scouts: Potts is listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. He is an above-average hitter, with above-average power. He also provides well above-average defense at the hot corner. The definition of a well-rounded prospect. His long-term defensive home will be something to monitor going forward — most thought third base for sure, but there are some who saw him at shortstop that believe it could work, not to mention a vocal minority who think his arm plays best at second case — his offensive game is improving, overall he is a consistent above-average regular.

Austin Allen

The 24-year-old catcher, was drafted in the 4th round 117th overall by the San Diego Padres in 2015 signed for $484,000 out of Florida Institute of Technology. In 2015, as a junior he hit .421/.473/.728 with 11 home runs and 57 RBI with 37 extra-base hits while playing in the best NCAA Division II conference.

“He had a great career for us here,” said Florida Tech coach Greg Berkemeier told MLB.com. “… He’s a pretty complete player for what his tools allow him to do.”

On June 17, 2015, Allen was assigned to minor league short-season (A-) Tri-City Dust Devils in the Northwest League. Easily the best prospect on the team at the time. In 53 games Allen had 222 plate appearances, hit two home runs, driving in 34 RBI, a .240/.315/.332 and a .647 OPS.

On April 2, 2016 Allen was assigned to the minor league (A) Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Midwest League. In 109 games and 453 plate appearances he hit seven home runs, recorded 61 RBI, and put up a .320/.364/.425 hitting line and .790 OPS. Allen was the Midwest League’s Player of the Month for April, 2016. In April, he led the Midwest League in batting average .460, slugging .603, and  1.143 OPS. The catcher hit in 11 straight games to start the season, including eight multi-hit games during the streak.

September 3, 2016- He was assigned briefly to the minor league (AA) San Antonio Missions of the Texas League. In three games, 11 plate appearances, had one home run, one RBI, a .273/.273/.545 hitting line and .818 OPS.

March 31, 2017- Allen was assigned to the minor league (A+) Lake Elsinore Storm. Earned California League Player of the month honors in July, 2017 and is the Padres 20th-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. In July, Allen led the league in hits (46), home runs (10), RBI (32), total bases (85) and slugging percentage (.691). He finished second in runs (27), extra-base hits (18) and OPS (1.089). Allen recorded 13 multi-hit games, a trio of four-hit games and his 32 RBI were the second-most in professional baseball in July. Allen hit a career-high 22 homers in the California League in 2017.

January 18, 2018, San Diego Padres invited non-roster catcher Austin Allen to spring training. 2018 Spring Training was a bit rough in eight games and 11 plate appearances was held to one hit. Allen’s hitting line was a low .091/.167/.091 and a .258 OPS.

“Huge power, big guy, almost certain to end up at first base. Scouts are near unanimous in that thought, arguing Allen soon won’t be able to handle the physical duties catching requires. I’ve even pondered the same, assuming he’ll one day find a role catching part-time while playing more first base (and, if he ever gets to an American League organization, finding time as a designated hitter).” Baseball Census — Baseball’s Top Prospects. by Bobby DeMuro – August 26, 2017.

“My expectations for myself are higher than what anybody else thinks I can do,” the catcher told Baseball Census.

Scouts: Allen is listed as 6-foot-4, a solid frame down from 225 pounds to 205 pounds, good build, some arm strength, online throws, developing catch and throw tools, slightly open stance, aggressive approach, some bat speed, ball jumps some, good raw strength in swing, looks to pull, has some hitting tools.

Allen is experiencing a huge power surge and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Source: prospects1500.com

Nick Margevicius

The 21-year-old left-handed pitcher, was drafted by the Padres on June 23, 2017 in the 7th round (No. 198 overall) of the 2017 Draft out of Rider University. The tall lefty worked as a starter for most of the season with Riders. Earned Second Team All-MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) as well as MAAC All-Academic honors. Margevicius owned the best earned run average on the team (2.57) and second best in the MAAC, shared the team lead in victories, struck out a team-high 67 batters, sixth best in the MAAC. In a team-high 77 innings, Margevicius had 35 strikeouts and just seven walks in seven MAAC games. Named MAAC Pitcher of the Week April, 2017.

On June 24, 2017, Margevicius was assigned to the Rookie AZL (Arizona League) Padres-1 team. In five appearances, four as a starter, pitched 19 innings, allowing three earned runs, 30 strikeouts, a win-loss record of 1-1, and a very impressive 1.42 ERA.

July 25, 2017, Margevicius was assigned to minor league short-season (A-) Tri-City Dust Devils in the Northwest League. In six appearances all as a starter Margevicius pitched 29 innings, allowing four earned runs, 32 strikeouts, a 3-0 win-loss record, and 1.24 ERA.

Scouts: Margevicius 6-foot-5, 220 pounds is more effective with his command than his power. Fastball tops out in the low 90s, average change-up, is still developing a slider, which could augment his strikeout numbers. Margevicius proved himself extremely durable in college, having averaged nearly seven innings per start this season. Projected starter or possible reliever.

Chris Paddack

The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher and first baseman, was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 8th round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Cedar Park HS (Cedar Park, TX). Named to Top Prospect Team and List. On June 30, 2016, Padres acquired Paddack from the Miami Marlins in the trade that sent high-valued veteran closer Fernando Rodney to the Marlins. While with the Marlins minor league (A) Greensboro Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League, Paddack allowed just three earned runs in 28 1/3 innings pitched, good for a 0.95 ERA. Paddack was assigned to the minor league (A) Fort Wayne TinCaps.

At the time General manager A.J. Preller said he views Paddack as a “potential future No. 2-3 starter for San Diego”.

On July 30, 2016, Paddack was diagnosed with a torn UCL (ulnar collateral ligament). Paddack underwent Tommy John surgery on August 15,2016, and missed the remainder of the 2016 season. In 42 1/3 total innings pitched between Greensboro and Fort Wayne, he posted a win-loss record of 2-0 and 0.85 ERA along with 71 strikeouts.

On September 26, 2017, the Fort Wayne TinCaps activated Paddack from the 60-day DL (disabled list). Unfortunately the surgery forced Paddack to also miss the complete 2017 season.

Scouts: Paddack 6-foot-4, 195 pounds has a long athletic build with room to fill out and add strength. High 3/4 arm slot with an online delivery. Easy arm action with projectable velocity on fastball. Fastball flashes life and has ability to cut it and sink it. Will vary arm slot to low 3/4 at times. Knows how to pitch. Mixed in straight change that he has feel for. Has a developing 10-4 curve ball. Hit from a square stance, line drive hitter with strong hands. Showed pop and hits to all fields. Defensively, good actions around the bag, short arm action with accurate throws. Good body control on spin move going to 2nd. Paddack is currently throwing bullpen sessions and could be ready by late April.

Franmil Reyes

The 22-year-old Dominican Republic right fielder, signed by the Padres as an International Free Agent for $700,000 in 2011.

Scouted by Mike Washburn on 5/19/2014: “Very large for an 18 year old, very thick lower half. Looked every bit of 6’4 240 – will have to watch weight in time. Does not look his age, looks like an older player. Stance and set up looks like classic Vladimir Guerrero. Guess hitter currently who can hit slower velocity fastballs, but will have trouble in higher levels hitting velocity due to average at best bat speed. Chases off-speed out of the zone landing on his knee when swinging. Swing has some loft and can muscle pitches, but ball does not explode off bat. Well below average runner who will become a baseclogger in a few years. Ran poor routes in right field and will be a major liability defensively unless moved to 1st/DH. Average arm that had good carry.'”

Franmil Reyes started the Padres system in the Domincan Summer League in 2012. In 67 game appearances, 243 at-bats, four home runs, 37 RBI, a .267/.360/.416 hitting line and .776 OPS.

On June 12, 2013 Reyes was assigned to Eugene Emeralds where he appeared in 12 games, with 44 at bats, one home run, four RBI, a .205/.222/.295 hitting line and .518 OPS.

Roughly weeks later on June 27, 2013, Reyes assigned to the Rookie AZL Padres. In 45 games, 165 at-bats, three home runs, 30 RBI, a .315/.387/.467 hitting line and .854 OPS.

2017, with the (AA) San Antonio Missions was a breakthrough season for Reyes, with 25 home runs and also led the system with 102 RBI.

March 10, 2017 Reyes assigned to San Diego Padres.

Franmil Reyes had a fracture of the hamate bone bringing his Arizona Fall League Padres campaign to a sudden end and requiring off-season surgery. He has already undergone surgery and is already 100 percent healthy. It was rumored Reyes was also going to be added to the 40-man roster during the off-season until it was revealed that he would undergo surgery on on his wrist. Reyes worked extremely hard to rehab through the winter, receiving an invitation to major-league spring training.

January 18, 2018 San Diego Padres invited non-roster Reyes to spring training.

Manager Andy Green indicated on March 6, 2018 that Reyes’ wrist injury is still bothering him, Bill Center of MLB.com reported.

Scouts: Reyes is an imposing figure at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds with some modest athleticism to contradict his gigantic frame. He shows some route-running ability his lack of start-up speed is a significant hindrance. The bat is going to need to max out for Reyes to threaten a big league career, and it really showed improvement in 2017 as well as spring training. There’s enough fluidity and bat speed to project some improvement of the hit tool into a respectable range, but the timing issues and over-aggressiveness still need work.

Reyes is currently listed day-to-day with wrist irritation. He is projected to start the 2018 season with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas

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Jeff Weber

Hello, my name is Jeff Weber. I am a life long San Diego Padres Fan and a 27 year San Diegan. Stay up to date with Padres trade rumors, breaking news, prospects, injuries and in-depth reports on players here at EVT. ​