Outfield Log Jam: An In-Depth Look at the Padres’ Outfield Depth
The San Diego Padres have dedicated themselves to rebuilding the farm system in order to create a future championship team. In this effort they have acquired many outfielders through the draft, trades, and through spending nearly $65 million in the international market. Out of all of these acquisitions the Friars have managed to beef up their once struggling and aging outfield.
The Padres currently have three rookie starters playing everyday baseball, two ready to take their step onto the show, and five more on Top-30 prospects rankings. Grab a drink, get comfortable, and get ready to take an in-depth look at the Padres future potential outfielders.
Of the Padres top 30 prospects, seven of them are outfielders with two of the top three spots on the list belonging to outfielders. Manny Margot leads all outfielders ranking in at Padres prospect number two and MLB prospect number 31. Margot is a 21 year-old right handed center fielder who was singed in the 2011 international class by the Boston Red Sox. Margot was part of the prospect package that was traded to the Padres for closer Craig Kimbrel. He has been thriving for Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas producing a .313/.359/.447 slash line while hitting for 30 extra base hits, six home runs, and 45 RBI in 438 minor league at bats. Manny Margot played his way into the 2016 SiriusXM Futures Game hosted by his future team where he robbed a home run and went 1-4 with an RBI and scored two runs.
Along side Margot in the Futures Game was Padres prospect number three and MLB prospect number 47, Hunter Renfroe. He was drafted by the Padres in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2013 draft. Renfroe is a 24 year-old righty who has produced a respectable .317/.347/.585 slash line. He has also hit for 36 extra base hits, 27 home runs, and 93 RBI in 451 at bats. Renfroe’s aggressive batting has led him to many strikeouts, 95 of them to be exact, but his ability to find the ball and presumably send it where ever he likes makes up for it. Although Renfroe is known for his slugging, he is also an outstanding fielder as well. He has decent speed, good range in the outfield, and connected on a total of 25 assists in his 2014 and 2015 seasons. Renfroe is projected to make his major league debut with Margot in the 2017 season, however Padres GM A.J. Preller has predicted September call ups for both players.
The next outfielder on the Padres top 30 list can be found at spot number 10. Michael Gettys is a right handed 20-year-old who is estimated to make his arrival to the majors in 2018, one year after Manny Margot and Hunter Renfroe. Gettys has put in a lot of time for Padres Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, although recently he was called up to A-Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm. In all of his minor league career he has posted a .303/.358/.428 slash line knocking in 44 runs with 27 extra base hits and eight home runs. One big development the Padres would like to see is Gettys ability to find the ball at the plate. Although he has posted a minor league career .303 batting average, he has 127 strikeouts with only 28 walks. Gettys uses his outstanding speed and high leaping abilities to make plays all over center field. The ceiling is high on this young all-around talented player.
Jorge Ona was recently singed by the Padres on July 22nd, is a right handed 19-year-old. He is estimated to make his MLB arrival come the 2021 season. Ona was ranked number eight on the MLBs 2016 top international prospect class. Ona, known among scouts for his strength, combines his strength with speed to make for a high 60 power scouting grade. Those who have scouted Ona believe he has the ability to hit the ball all over the ball park. He has been known to play all three outfield position, but with his not too impressive speed, and his strong arm a corner position is more suitable for the young Cuban prospect.
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Derek is a 22-year-old out of Lemon Grove, California. A burning passion for San Diego sports led him to pursue an opportunity to write and share about what’s going on with the teams in America’s Finest City. A young and aspiring sports journalist looking to grow his knowledge and expand his experience at any opportunity.
Preller has this team so out of balance it’s pathetic.
There is no doubt we are loaded in the OF. The problem is we are average or even horrible everywhere else…most notably at Pitcher and SS. The franchise’s utter lack of balance leads me to believe Preller is a scouting director…not a GM.
We have years before decency…because our pitching is atrocious above A-BALL and Preller can’t part with one of our 50 OF prospects to obtain quality pitching. And, with ticket sales in the tank, we won’t be spending any time soon. So, get used to more “future” talk for the next decade. #cyncism or #realism ?
I do agree that we do have some years before we’re decent. But I don’t think we’re that far away from being great. Myers will have 1B locked down, after him we have Naylor who’s only 19. We have at least 5 great potential guys to choose from at shortstop, Solarte holding down third and he’s only 28. Hedges obviously behind the plate. We have plenty of good prospects on the mound in our lower minors. By the time our infield and outfield move their was up and solidify there spot in the majors our pitchers will be ready to start throwing in the regular rotation. Sure for now all we have to talk about is the future, but I say the predicted 2020 for us to be contenders is pretty accurate
The Fact is one of the Current Padre outfielders has a chance at the future. It will be the likes of Manny Margot and Renfroe given their chances to stay next. Jankowski looks to be a great outfielder and he gets a spot to keep or lose. Depending on how they perform, you open the door to the other talent. Gettys is interesting to me, if he makes it that means many others failed. Here’s to Hoping the First wave is good enough to compete.