Blessed with prodigious power, Ethan Long brings much more to the table for the San Diego Padres. 

To some Padres fans, Ethan Long might be an unfamiliar name. He won’t show on MLB.com’s top 30 prospects list or on FanGraphs top 50. 

But to those who know his story and what he flashed in college at Arizona State, they know just how powerful the 23-year-old from Mesa, Arizona, can be. In his short time in the San Diego Padres system, folks have seen firsthand what he can do at the dish. 

“I’m just getting into my routine. I’m getting my feet set under me, and I’m starting to get comfortable here and out of Arizona for the first time,” Padres prospect Ethan Long said. 

Time As a Sun Devil. 

For those unaware of Ethan Long or his track record at Arizona State, we’ll take a quick look at some numbers. 

Long put up historic numbers during his freshman season in Mesa, AZ. In 2021, he posted a .340 batting average, a .704 slugging percentage, and a 1.121 OPS. He also hit 16 home runs and drove in 54 runs. 

His 54 RBIs tied with Barry Bonds for fourth in ASU Freshman history. At the same time, his 16 homers surpassed Bonds for second in ASU Freshman history and fell in second place, only behind 2020 No.1 overall pick and current Detroit Tiger Spencer Torkelson. 

One very notable aspect of Long’s power was his ability to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. This can not only be attributed to his 70-grade power tool but also to his excellent bat speed. Two things have also flashed during his time in Lake Elsinore. 

“Growing up, my dad told me to always hit the ball where it’s pitched; it’s pretty easy for anyone to get the ball out the left, but working the other way from a young age made it easier for me when I got older guys could locate and throw me away rather than in the middle of the zone,” Long noted. 

“It forced me to stay inside the baseball, stay tight, and dive balls to right center. It really got dialed in my freshman year in college, working with my hitting coach. He showed me I don’t need to swing 100% to get the ball out to right. We started by doing front toss on the field and seeing how easy I could swing and hit it out with no velo. It showed me I could keep my body under control and that I can go pole to pole without trying to get too big or make something happen.” 

Move To Minors & The Padres Farm System 

In his final season at ASU, Long’s numbers would be hampered by a left wrist injury. The injury actually prevented him from hitting in the final season of the month in 2022 and limited him to 12 games in 2023. 

Due to the injury, Long was underrated in the 2023 draft but signed with the Padres as an undrafted free agent. He played just three games in 2023 for the Padres ACL team. In 24’, he started the year in the ACL yet again but was quickly promoted to Lake Elsinore after just one game. 

In his brief time in Lake Elsinore, Long has flashed the tools that many saw at ASU, posting a 126 wRC+, 22.2% BB%, .800 OPS, and .394 wOBA. 

Long’s bat, along with its impressive pop, joined with some impressive bat speed. It’s an attribute that the 6-foot-3-inch Long says has helped him cover all quadrants of the zone. 

“That bat speed is big for me; it’s always been a thing I think I’ve had, along with quick hands. With guys at this level throwing with this good of stuff, it allows me to really trust myself,” Long commented. 

“It can, at times, let me look away, but I know if he throws inside, my hands are quick enough, and my bat speed is good enough to catch it. I won’t be late on it, and it gives me more time to pick up speed. I am always trying to hunt fastball, and if off-speed is coming, I know I have the bat speed to generate power even if I am stuck on my backside or out front.” 

With the power that Long claims ownership of, one might suggest that there is a “hole” or fair amount of swing and miss to his game. While he does have a 28.9% K%, his SwSrt% sits at just 11.8%, while his Whiff% is also quality at 28.4%, and his Chase Swing% (numbers of swings at pitches outside of the zone) sits at 11.1%. 

Even with the 28.9% K%, Long can level things out with his ability to draw walks, as explained by his 22.2% BB%. It’s an aspect of Long’s game that is perhaps underrated, but it’s also one that he takes pride in. 

“ I feel like I’ve always had a solid eye. People have called me a power hitter, but I’ve always seen power hitters as just a home run or strikeout guy, and I never really liked it. I always want to be a complete hitter,” Long said. “I always look to control the strike zone and  limit my strikeouts.”  

Glove Work & The Arm

While Long’s bat and raw power will most likely catch fans’ eyes, Long also has a cannon attached to his right arm and has flashed on the defensive side of things.

During his time at ASU, Long served as the team’s closer his freshman season, sitting in the upper 90s and hitting 97 to 98 mph on the fastball. However, when not on the mound, he played multiple positions, including right field, first base, and third base. 

It’s a trend that has continued thus far in his time with the Storm, as he has made starts at both first and third this season. “I feel good out in the field right now,” Long said. “In college, I played all over the field so that I could get myself anywhere in the lineup, and I have continued to do that.”

Ethan Long did note, though, that he has gotten more work and reps, particularly at first base, a spot he’s feeling more and more comfortable at, thanks to his athleticism and time spent on the mound as a pitcher. 

“My athleticism has helped me over there a lot, I still need to work on my footwork a bit over there, but I move well for a bigger guy,” Long said. 

“But also being a former pitcher and understanding counts and thinking about how I would pitch, thinking about what I would throw, and the tendencies of hitters, I feel like I put myself in good positions so I don’t have to move a whole lot, which makes it a whole lot easier and under control.”

The 23-year-old Long has flashed in his short time in Single-A. Given his power, plate discipline numbers, and athleticism, he makes for an intriguing name to follow in the San Diego farm system.  

Clark E. Fahrenthold

Proud San Diego Native. Attended Sonoma State University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in communications; following my graduation, I returned home to San Diego, where I have worked in the local San Diego media sports scene since 2020.