Down on the Farm: July 4- Fireworks on the Farm

Franchy Cordero- CF, Triple-A, El Paso Chihuahuas
1-5, 3 K

Since his demotion back to Triple-A, Cordero has been pretty solid, as he has collected two four-hit games for the Chihuahuas. However, the strikeouts are still clearly a problem, as Cordero whiffed three times on Wednesday night. His strikeout rate still sits at exactly 30 percent for the season in Triple-A, which is certainly not a good number. Given it jumped up to almost 45 percent in the big leagues, it is clear that Cordero still has a rather significant issue to overcome. With that being said, if he can keep hitting, and working on the strikeouts, he should find himself back in the big leagues at some point this season. The talent is just too good.

Nick Schulz- LF, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB

After a solid start to the season with the Missions, Schulz saw some playing time in Triple-A before being sent back down to Double-A following a less than stellar first 60 or so at bats. Now Schulz finds himself right where he left off, trying to help the Missions win ball games while at the same time trying to improve his own performance on the field. Schulz’ stat line doesn’t really jump off the page, but he’s putting together a solid season as an important member of the Missions’ lineup.

Austin Allen- C, High-A, Lake Elsinore Storm
3-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB

It seems like Austin Allen just keeps hitting. The batting average may not be there, but with Allen slugging all these home runs and extra base hits, it doesn’t really need to be. Allen is lauded for his bat, but it is still his glove that needs some work going forward. Allen may just be able to hit enough to get himself to the major leagues someday, but he’s going to need to play more consistent defense behind the dish to get there as a catcher.

Jacob Nix- RHP, High-A, Lake Elsinore Storm
4.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R (5 ER), 1 BB, 0 K

Just one start removed from the best start of his professional career, Jacob Nix had perhaps the worst start of his career, as he gave up eight runs in total and did not strike out a single batter. While the eight runs came with a little bit of bad luck, as only five were earned, the strikeouts represent a bigger problem. After dominating in his last start and striking out 11, Nix did not strike out a single batter on the Fourth of July. This is just a speed bump in what has been a strong return from injury for the young right-hander. Here’s hoping he puts it together again in his next start.

Jorge Ona- RF, Low-A, Fort Wayne TinCaps
2-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 BB

Somehow despite a .279/.354/.413 slash line over his first 240 professional at bats, it feels like Jorge Ona is being treated like a disappointment. Sure, the power isn’t where anyone would like it to be, but that’s still a solid performance for a 20-year-old in his first year of professional baseball stateside. There’s still kinks to work out, but that is almost always the case for young international players, to the story here is no different. Ona has to work on driving the ball more frequently, but the rest of his game has been there for the most part.

Michel Baez- RHP, Low-A, Fort Wayne TinCaps
5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K

Man is Michel Baez impressive. Fresh off a solid first showing in the Arizona Rookie League, Baez was quickly moved to Fort Wayne to make his full season debut with the TinCaps. And he did not disappoint. Flashing some real heat, and a decent feel for some off speed pitches, Baez mowed down nine hitters by the strikeout on his way to his first professional win. At 21 years old, Baez is a little older than some of the other young international pitchers in the Padres system, but he may have just as much talent as the Adrian Morejons and Henry Henrys of the world. It remains to be seen where he goes from here, but this obviously a wonderful start.

Michel Baez was throwing straight ? for the @TinCaps in front of a record crowd at @ParkviewField in his @MiLB debut. 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 9K pic.twitter.com/02GfTig4dM

— Justin Prince (@JPrinceWFFT) July 5, 2017

Luis Almanzar- SS, Short Season, Tri-City Dust Devils
2-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R

Have I mentioned that I like Luis Almanzar a lot? Because I like Luis Almanzar a lot. The kid can just do everything on the field. He can hit, he can field, he can throw, he can run. He is just a lot of fun to watch on the field, and he did a little bit of everything on Tuesday night. He’s been struggling a bit to start the year, but as a 17-year-old playing in a professional baseball league, what he’s done is still rather impressive.

Adrian Morejon- LHP, Short Season, Tri-City Dust Devils
6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

After going three straight starts and 13 innings without a walk, Adrian Morejon walked the first batter of his professional career on Tuesday night. However, Morejon also had his longest appearance of the year and looked effective throughout. Morejon is still giving up over a hit per inning on the season, but with a 20-1 strikeout to walk ratio, Morejon is certainly getting the job done so far this season.

Eguy Rosario- 2B, Rookie, AZL Padres 2
1-4, 1 2B, 2 BB

After appearing with the Padres Arizona Rookie League team last season, Rosario got an aggressive promotion to Low-A Fort Wayne to start this season. Still just 17 years old, it is clear that it was too much for the young infielder, as he slashed just .206/.296/.278 in 180 at bats with the TinCaps this season. Rather than continue to let him flounder, the Padres decided to move Rosario all the way back down to the AZL, to start at square one. So far Rosario has not disappointed, as he has collected 10 extra base hits in his first 39 at bats, and is slashing .412/.474/.735. He obviously won’t keep that line up, but this is a much-needed confidence boost for a player who was clearly struggling for confidence as a 17-year-old in Fort Wayne.

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.