Down on the Farm: April 24

Tyrell Jenkins 3 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

After the Atlanta Braves decided that they were done trying to make Jenkins an effective big league pitcher, the Padres made the decision that it was their turn to take a chance. So far, that chance has not worked out the way the Padres had hoped. There have been some flashes of greatness by Jenkins, but overall he has struggled to maintain any consistency so far this season. To date, Jenkins has thrown 18 innings, giving up 23 hits and 12 earned runs while walking 13 batters in the process. It’s never good when your walk rate is higher than your strikeout rate, and that is just what has happened with Jenkins this season. The Padres were hoping Jenkins could potentially be a rotation piece at a future point, but if he can’t get it together in Triple-A, he may find his way to another organization yet again.

Rocky Gale 3-4, 1 2B, 1 R

For the Padres, Austin Hedges is the catcher of the future. Over the past few years, it seems like the Padres have had no problem constantly passing over catcher, Rocky Gale. Gale did get 10 at bats in the bigs in 2015, but that seems like it won’t happen again, barring catastrophe. Gale may be the most perfect definition of a Quad-A player, forever stuck in the purgatory of Triple-A.

San Antonio Missions

Michael Kelly 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

After a promotion to Double-A last season, Kelly was stellar in just over 50 innings, striking out 49 batters and accumulating a 2.90 ERA. Following a late season promotion to Triple-A, Kelly struggled. To start 2017, Kelly is back at Double-A, and has so far experienced the same problems. So far Kelly has walked too many batters, given up too many hits, and thus too many earned runs. However, Monday night was a bright spot, as Kelly struck out seven and gave up only three earned in seven innings, which was the longest start of any Missions player so far this season.

Franmil Reyes 2-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI

Nick Schulz and Luis Urias have been catching headlines for the Missions so far this season, but Franmil Reyes has been no slouch at the plate either. With two more doubles on Monday, Reyes is now up to a .324/.361/.485 slash line on the season. The walk rate is low and the strikeout rate is high, but if Reyes can continue to put the ball in play with hard hit balls, he will continue to be successful. Reyes needs to collect more extra base hits, but the signs have been encouraging so far.

Lake Elsinore Storm

Chris Huffman 8 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

It’s not often you see Single-A pitchers go eight innings, but Chris Huffman did just that on Monday. After 15 scoreless innings to start the season, Huffman gave up his first earned runs on the year on Monday. Other than that, he was very effective, scattering eight hits over those eight innings of work. At 24, Huffman is no big league prospect, but he’s providing some useful innings down on the farm.

Josh Naylor 2-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R

It seems like I am writing about Josh Naylor more and more lately, which is very encouraging. Over the last ten days, Naylor has collected 14 hits and is getting on base at a .400 clip. However, despite these encouraging signs, Naylor is still failing to get enough extra base hits. He hit a home run on Monday, but a majority of his hits on the year are singles. For a big first baseman who lacks much in the way of defensive skills, more extra base hits need to come if he hopes to see the big leagues someday.

Fort Wayne TinCaps

Hansel Rodriguez 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 4 K

Acquired from the Blue Jays in the trade of Melvin Upton, Hansel Rodriguez  had a poor Padres debut in short season ball in 2016. To start this season, Rodriguez has been moved to full season ball for the first time, and has impressed so far. Rodriguez isn’t striking out as many hitters as he has in years past, but his walk rate is as low as it’s ever been, which has allowed him to limit baserunners, and thus, runs. At 20 years old, Rodriguez has a long way to go, but so far so good in Fort Wayne.

Hudson Potts 0-4, 4 K

It has been a truly rough start to the season for the Padres second first-round draft pick from 2016. Potts has shown some flashes of brilliance at the plate, but he has also struck out in just under 30 percent of his at bats, an unsustainable number long term. However, at 18 years old, there is no real reason for concern just yet. Potts will figure it out.

Patrick Brewer

Editorial and Prospect Writer for East Village Times. Twenty-five years young, Patrick has lived in San Diego for his entire life and has been a Padres fan nearly as long. Patrick lives for baseball and is always looking to learn new things about the game he loves through advanced stats.