Down on the Farm: July 24
Credit: MLB
Franchy Cordero– CF, Triple-A, El Paso Chihuahuas
4-6, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Someone doesn’t want to play in Triple-A anymore. Despite Cordero tearing apart Triple-A pitching, it’s hard to really see him playing a role with the big league team before the conclusion of the season, save for a potential September call up. With Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot back in the lineup, and Travis Jankowski nearing a return himself, it’s hard to see a spot where Cordero fits in. Sure, he could be used in a fourth outfielder type role, or even split time with Jankowski, but you have to think the Padres want both of those guys to get everyday playing time so they can see what they have going forward. It seems more likely that Cordero gets the rest of the year in Triple-A to figure it out and the Padres re-evaluate their personnel this off-season. I mean if he keeps hitting like this, the Padres might not really have a choice but to call him up later in the year.
Cory Mazzoni– RHP, Triple-A, El Paso Chihuahuas
2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
With Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer on their way to Kansas City as we speak, the Padres are going to need a few relievers to take those spots. While Jose Valdez and a few other guys are obvious options, Cory Mazzoni might be nearing a big league return of his own. After falling flat on his face in his debut with the Padres in 2015, Mazzoni missed basically the entirety of last season with a shoulder injury, but he is finally back healthy and has looked good so far this year. Mazzoni may still need a little more time to get up to speed in El Paso, but he’s certainly a potential call up before the conclusion of the season.
Franmil Reyes– RF, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
2-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI
There’s still the issue of Reyes being unable to play defense in a very efficient matter, but there’s no argument that the bat is great. If the designated hitter finally makes a move to the National League, Reyes could be in business. Before that happens, he’s still a fringe prospect at best, even with the great power.
Enyel De Los Santos– RHP, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
For all the talk of the Quantrills, Morejons, Gores, Baezs, Lauers, etc. of the world, Enyel De Los Santos has perhaps been the most impressive of the bunch over the last month or so. Over his last 38 and two-thirds innings, De Los Santos has given up only 11 earned runs while striking out 38 batters and walking 11. Walks have always been De Los Santos achilles heel, but his latest start shows just how good he can be when he doesn’t have that issue. There’s been times where De Los Santos has been simply unhittable. If he can maintain his command and control, he can definitely stick in a big league rotation someday with his other stuff. But that’s still a big if.
Jesse Scholtens– RHP, High-A, Lake Elsinore Storm
8.2 IP, 11 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
It hasn’t always been pretty for Jesse Scholtens, but on Monday night he somehow got the job done. The 11 hits aren’t really encouraging, but with only one earned run on his line, it’s hard to argue with the result. Scholtens has shown flashes of greatness all year, but he has so far been unable to put everything all together. As he progresses through the system, it will be important to watch how he sequences his pitches and if he can maintain consistency.
Fernando Tatis– SS, Low-A, Fort Wayne TinCaps
2-4, 1 HR, 1 SB
Who doesn’t love Fernando Tatis Jr? From unranked Chicago White Sox prospect to top-five Padres prospect, it has been a whirlwind year for the young shortstop. Amazingly enough, he is still only 18 years old and has 17 home runs in Low-A ball so far this season. The sky appears to be the limit for the young shortstop as his five tool talent continues to be put on display on a nightly basis. There were some rumblings about him being called up to Lake Elsinore, but that talk has seemed to cool at least for now. Going forward, it may not be much longer that Tatis is in Fort Wayne if he continues to improve in all facets of his game as he has been.
Michel Baez- RHP, Low-A, Fort Wayne TinCaps
5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Speaking of impressive Padres prospects, I mean there’s no shortage of them, Michel Baez has continued to tear apart Low-A hitters. After making four starts in Low-A, and striking out 33 batters in just 23 innings, it’s pretty clear that low-A hitters simply don’t stand a chance against the big right-hander. At 6’8”, Baez is making it a habit to blow hitters away with his power fastball and solid off-speed pitches. With such dominance at the lower levels, Baez should be moving up to Lake Elsinore very soon.
Osvaldo Hernandez– LHP, Short Season, Tri-City Dust Devils
5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K
For all the times I have talked about how Henry Henry is overlooked because he’s on the same team as Adrian Morejon, I could say the same thing about left-hander Osvaldo Hernandez. Hernandez is clearly the third best talent out of that group, but he realistically could be just as good as the other two in the future. Being left-handed is always an advantage, and Hernandez has been solid so far this season, with a 16.9 K/BB% ratio. He still has some things to work on, but most 19-year-olds do.
MacKenzie Gore- LHP, Rookie League, AZL Padres
2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
MacKenzie Gore. *Insert heart eye emoji here*. After finally making his AZL debut last week, and having a successful showing in his two innings of work, Gore looked even better for the Padres AZL team on Monday night, striking out six batters out of the nine he faced. While the Clayton Kershaw comparisons are wildly unfair, Gore seems to have the potential to be a truly special talent. The fastball is already very advanced, and both his slider and curveball give him two more potential plus offerings. Add to all that his bulldog nature on the mound, and it’s hard to see Gore not finding long-term success in San Diego.
Esteury Ruiz– 2B, Rookie League, AZL Padres
0-3, 1 BB, 2 K
Fresh off being traded from the Royals to the Padres earlier in the afternoon, Ruiz had a hitless debut for the AZL Padres on Monday night. Hitting over .400 to start the season in rookie ball, Ruiz has been quite a proficient hitter so far in his small taste of professional baseball. There will be more on him later in this piece.
Lake Bachar– RHP, Rookie League, AZL Padres
4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Do you remember Lake Bachar? Drafted by the Padres in the fifth round of last year’s draft, Bachar was originally viewed as a potential high upside selection. After having some struggles in his professional debut last year, the Padres held Bachar in extended spring training this year to work on some things. So far, it looks like that has paid off, as the 22-year-old has excelled in 13 innings in the Arizona Rookie League. He’s obviously facing sub-par competition, but it may be only a matter of time before the Padres challenge him with a higher level.
Luis Eusebio– RHP, DSL Padres
4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K
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.