Down on the Farm: Weekly Review July 3-9

Franchy Cordero– CF, Triple-A, El Paso Chihuahuas
11-29, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 18 TB

There’s no doubt that Franchy Cordero was impressive in his short stint with the Padres this season. However, with the return of Manuel Margot, and Cordero’s rather significant strikeout problem, it was pretty clear he needed some time back down in Triple-A. Since returning to Triple-A, Cordero has been on fire, as he has slashed .415/.429/.634 over just the last 10 days. Even more importantly, Cordero has struck out just eight times in July. There’s still some work to be done in that department, but it appears very likely that Cordero will find his way back to San Diego before the season is over.

Michael Kelly– RHP, Triple-A, El Paso Chihuahuas
5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K

Now that Dinelson Lamet has made the jump to the big leagues, which may now be a permanent move for the right-hander, it is a good time to take a look at who may be the next pitcher to make the jump. Near the top of that list is right-hander Michael Kelly, who recently made the jump to Triple-A from San Antonio. For Padre pitching prospects, making the jump to Triple-A is a big step, especially given how hitter-friendly the Pacific Coast League is. After getting smacked around to the tune of six hits and five earned runs in less than four innings pitched in his first Triple-A start, Kelly bounced back with a much better performance in his second go around. The walks are obviously an issue, as he now has nearly as many walks as innings pitched in Triple-A, but he has time to work that out. If all goes well in Triple-A, Kelly may find himself in San Diego next season, or even as a September call-up this season.

Luis Urias– 2B, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
1-12, 3 RBI, 2 BB

There has been concern among Padre fans about Luis Urias, and rightfully so. Urias has not only dealt with various injuries over the last month, but he has also seen his performance crater rather significantly. After batting in the .330-.340 range earlier in the year, Urias’ batting average for the season is now down below .300, at just .298. Over the last 10 days, Urias has just five hits in 29 at bats. Over the last 30 days, Urias is slashing just .228/.323/.250. After setting Triple-A on fire over the first part of the year, Urias has finally come back down to earth, and in a big way. Urias still has a solid 123 wRC+ on the season, but this recent stretch has certainly been some cause for concern.

Eric Lauer– LHP, Double-A, San Antonio Missions
5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

It’s honestly kind of weird writing Eric Lauer’s name next to “Double-A, San Antonio Missions”. After much anticipation, Lauer, as well as fellow left-hander Joey Lucchesi, finally made the jump to Double-A after a very successful early season with the Lake Elsinore Storm. After a sterling debut in Double-A, to the tune of seven and two-thirds scoreless innings with nine strikeouts, Lauer ran into a little more trouble in his second start. With that being said, he still came out of it relatively unscathed and looks to be more than up to the challenge of being at a higher level. It remains to be seen where Lauer goes from here, but if he continues to dominate as he rises through the minors, he could be a fast mover to the big leagues.

Austin Allen– C, High-A, Lake Elsinore Storm
11-30, 1 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 21 TB

Now one half of the Allen Bros at Lake Elsinore, Austin Allen has continued his hot streak of late. Allen hit three home runs this past week, and now has six home runs since the Storm came back from their All-Star break two weeks ago. Allen has continued to keep his walks up and strikeouts down and has become better at hitting for more power to all fields. The defense is still the question mark, but if he keeps hitting like this, he should find himself on a big league team someday. Now if only we could find a way to merge him with Austin Hedges and form a Super Austin. If only.

Logan Allen– LHP, High-A, Lake Elsinore Storm
6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

Now the second of the Allen Bros at Lake Elsinore, Logan Allen has continued where he left off in Fort Wayne, looking solid in his first two outings with the Storm. After facing some tough luck in his first start, as Allen gave up four unearned runs in six innings, Allen bounced back in a big way this week, with a strong outing to end the week. Alongside Lauer and Lucchesi, Allen is the third part of a trio of left-handers who have all had exceptional years in the Padres’ minor league system.

Fernando Tatis Jr.- SS, Low-A, Fort Wayne TinCaps
8-19, 1 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 5 R, 18 TB

Is it just me or is Fernando Tatis Jr. setting the world on fire lately? Sure, he’s no Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Bo Bichette, but Tatis is torching the Midwest League as an 18-year-old. With another solid week, Tatis is now up to a 139 wRC+, which puts him on top of all Padres top-30 position player prospects. Tatis is striking out in 26 percent of his plate appearances, but he is more than making up for it by doing the little things, most importantly drawing walks, playing great defense, and being smart on the bases. At this point, Tatis is looking more and more like a potential five tool player that can stick at shortstop. At 18 years old, that is immensely valuable for the San Diego Padres long term.

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

Micael Baez is the best. That was the title of the lone EVT podcast of the week and I have no regrets. After looking fantastic on the backfields of Arizona in extended Spring Training, and impressing in his time in the AZL, Baez did not disappoint in his first look of full season professional baseball earlier this week. I already wrote about this performance once this week, but it bears repeating. He’s good, with a great fastball and some good feel for his off-speed pitches. He’s still just 21 years old, but it may be time to get at least a little excited. Heck, he’s taking the mound again today as I type these words. All aboard the Baez hype train.

Luis Almanzar– SS, Short Season, Tri-City Dust Devils
7-25, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 11 TB

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

In terms of Latin American players that I love, my love for Michael Baez is only surpassed by my love for Adrian Morejon. At just 18 years old and pitching in the Northwest League, Morejon is impressive. In his first 19 innings of professional baseball, Morejon has given up his share of hits, 22 to be exact, but he has also struck out 17 and walked only one batter so far. More importantly, Morejon has gotten lots of swings and misses, and he can only get better as he gets more feel for his off-speed pitches.

Jeisson Rosario- OF, AZL Padres
8-16, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 11 TB

After struggling to start the season, Jeisson Rosario has gotten very hot as of late. For a guy who is not yet 18 years old, it’s fair to give him some time to figure it out. And it seems like he is doing just that after a tough start to the AZL.

Eguy Rosario– IF, AZL Padres 2
9-22, 4 2B, 5 RBI, 13 TB

Over the first two plus months of the season in Fort Wayne, 17-year-old Eguy Rosario looked completely lost with the Fort Wayne TinCaps. It was obviously an aggressive assignment for Rosario, especially since many of the Padres most recent 17 and 18-year-old signees are just getting their start in the Arizona Rookie League. Rather than continue to let him struggle in Fort Wayne, Rosario was moved all the way down to the AZL in order to figure things out. And he has not disappointed, as he has slashed .426/.481/.681 with a 191 wRC+ in his first 47 at bats. Compared to his 68 wRC+ in Fort Wayne, this is a rather significant move forward.

Gilberto Vizcarra– C, DSL Padres
7-23, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 9 TB

Martin Carrasco– RHP, DSL Padres
6 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

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.