Outfield Log Jam: An In-Depth Look at the Padres’ Outfield Depth

One spot below Ona on the top 30 list is Buddy Reed, a switch hitting 21-year-old. Reed has been playing for Padres Single-A (short) Tri City where he has produced a not too impressive .222/.291/.270 slash line. However, Reed’s very impressive speed has allowed him to swipe 11 bases and score 18 runs. Reed was drafted by the Padres in the second round of this years draft and is projected to make his major league debut in 2019. Rather than for his bat, like most of the Padres outfield prospects, Reed is known more for his glove, arm, and speed. His speed and strong arm should stick him with a long-term center field spot once he marches his path to the pros, but it is predicted that with his tentative ways at the plate are gonna require his bat more time than normal to develop.

The next outfielder on the list is 10 spots down, prospect number 24 Nick Torres. Torres is a righty 23-year-old slugger drafted by the Padres in the 4th round of the 2014 draft. Torres, projected to make his major league debut in 2017, has produced a .296/.338/.443 slash line with 35 extra base hits, 33 being doubles, and 51 RBI. Nick has played his way up to Double-A San Antonio this year seeing time in both left and right field. Torres underwhelming average arm and less than impressive speed give him a ceiling of a platoon or 4th outfielder, specifically in left field. That is unless, he can unlock that extra power potential that he often shows flashes of.

Last outfielder on the list is prospect number 29 Jeisson Rosario. The lefty 16-year-old was singed in this years international pool on July 2nd. Jeisson was number 12 on the top 30 international prospect list this year. His quick hands and fluid batting approach give him lots of hard contact. With just below average speed but an impressive arm, Rosario has the ceiling to be an everyday right fielder once he works his way through the system and into the majors, which is predicted to be by the year 2020.

Now that we have gone through all the top outfield prospects in the Padres minor league system, lets take a look at the guys who have just cracked their way into the show. Alex Dickerson, Travis Jankowski, and Jabari Blash are the Padres three rookie everyday outfielders.

Jankowski has proven himself able to pick up the slack after starter Jon Jay went down with a right forearm fracture. Jankowski is a product of the Padres farm system, he was drafted in the first round by the Padres in the 2012 draft. He has shown off his speed making long, at the wall catches in deep center, and by stealing home twice this year.With 143 total chances, Jankowski has 142 putouts and just a single error. He has 25 total swiped bases this year and has used some of those swiped bags to bring himself home 40 times in just 194 at bats.

Alex Dickerson, drafted 91st overall by the Pirates in 2011 and traded to the Padres in 2013, has proven himself a power hitter. Earlier this year, during the Padres first ever visit to Toronto, Dickerson hit a moonshot into the 5th deck, something done by only 15 other players. His first career homer came down 0-2 in the bottom of the eight inning with the bases loaded in Wrigley Field. He has a total of seven home runs this season and has knocked in 22 RBI. Dickerson’s speed is about a notch above average, making him more than a threat on the basepaths and gives him the ability to make great grabs all over left field with just two errors on 50 total chances.

Jabari Blash has the least experience of the three. The rookie 27-year-old was drafted 252nd overall by the Mariners in 2010 and traded to the Padres in December of 2015. He has struggled so far this year, but has shown some power lately hitting his first three career home runs and driving in four of his five career RBI in just his last nine games. His speed and arm have given him the ability to post a 1.000 fielding percentage on 38 total chances, 37 of those coming on his own putouts, with just a single assist.

Let’s not forget that star Wil Myers also has a lot of outfield experience and, although unlikely with his success at first base, is a possibility to be played in the outfield in the future. So the question remains, with three rookies currently playing everyday ball in the outfield, and so much raw talent looking to be called up within the next three years, which three guys will run the Padres outfield?

Derek Cluff

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.