Merrill, Rosario, Gasser among risers in MLB Pipeline’s most recent Padres Top 30 Prospect list
Credit: MLB Pieline
MLB Pipeline’s annual top 30 prospect list covering the San Diego Padres was released, and while it isn’t necessarily favorable to the depth of the Padres system, the top of the farm system remains promising.
Unsurprisingly, infielder CJ Abrams retains the number one spot on the list, a position he is proving to be well deserving of in the early part of spring training. Outfielder Robert Hassell III was able to take the number two spot from Luis Campusano, who fell to number three on the list. Spring standout MacKenzie Gore and toolsy outfielder James Wood hold their positions from 2021 at fourth and fifth, respectively to round out the top five.
Abrams, Hassell, Campusano, and Gore were all included in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospect list as well, holding the 9th, 37th, 44th, and 86th spots.
A trio of prospects rounding out the top ten was given some significant boosts to their tools as well.
The Padres number six prospect, 2021 first-round pick Jackson Merrill, saw his hit tool raised from an average 50 to an above-average 55 and his power tool raise from a below-average 45 to an above-average 55. These grades reflect the high offensive ceiling the Padres saw in the 18-year-old shortstop when they selected him well before he was projected to be picked in last year’s draft.
The biggest overall riser was 22-year-old infielder Eguy Rosario, who jumped all the way from 14th to 7th in the Padres system after an impressive Double-A campaign. Rosario saw gains in his hit tool (from 45 to 50), arm (from 60 to 65), fielding (from 45 to 50), and overall grade (from 45 to 50) and has played his way into being a possible utility option as well as a valuable trade chip for the team.
Another notable riser was 22-year-old left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser. Taken 71st overall in 2021, Gasser’s changeup was boosted from an average 50 to an above-average 55, giving him three above-average pitches along with average command. Gasser’s overall grade was also raised from a 45 to a 50, establishing himself as one of the top arms in a Padres system in need of regaining ground in terms of starting pitching.
Right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana and infielder Yendry Rojas were new additions to the list, taking the 19th and 27th spots, respectively.
[wpedon id=”49075″ align=”right”]
The overall depth of the Padres system took a bit of a dive, with the organization only having 16 players graded as 45 fv or higher as opposed to 18 in 2021. Though ten of those 16 prospects are graded as 50 fv or higher.
The Padres hold a favorable position in this year’s draft, including the 15th and 37th overall picks. In addition, they are expected to sign catcher Ethan Salas, arguably the top prospect of the 2022-2023 international signing period. Both the draft and the international signing period will grant the Padres an opportunity to add some depth back to their top-heavy farm system.
Born and raised in San Diego, aspiring Baseball Journalist and lifelong fan of the San Diego Padres. My life’s goal is to retire early, become a season ticket holder and practically live at Petco Park in the summer.
The farm system is only good when the prospects get to the big league club or become valuable within a trade. I’m happy to see Gore appear to be back on track. I think he needs a bit more seasoning. He will likely get introduced this season. Hassell intrigues me. I hope he can progress this year and impact the big team next season. With our OF shortage, he might end up hitting himself onto the big team. I cannot envision Profar being successful. Hassell cannot do any worse than Profar.