Padres minor leagues: April- Who is hot and who is not?
Credit: MiLB TV
WHO IS NOT (HITTERS)
Angel Solarte– .595 OPS 14 K .182 average (Fort Wayne TinCaps)
21-year-old Angel Solarte is struggling in Fort Wayne to begin the season. He played well in Lake Elsinore last season and earned a promotion to Fort Wayne but is not enjoying his second time with the TinCaps. Solarte is drawing walks, so you have to think the hits will come eventually.
Justin Lopez– .619 OPS 15 K .213 average (San Antonio Missions)
The power is real for Lopez, but he struggles to make consistent contact. At 22, the adjustments must be shown by this young Venezuelan. If Lopez cannot figure out his mechanics and find consistency, he will likely find this his last season with the Padres. The team needs to see more from him.
Brandon Valenzuela– .646 OPS .190 average- 18 K Fort Wayne TinCaps)
The switch-hitting catcher from Mexico is struggling, but the defensive prowess is still evident. Most pundits view Valenzuela as a defensive-first catcher, but there is some upside with the bat. Valenzuela must make adjustments with the bat for him to reach his potential. At 21, time is on his side.
Jarryd Dale– .647 OPS .181 average- 21 K (Fort Wayne TinCaps)
This young Australian struggles with the stick, and it is difficult seeing him reach the major leagues. Dale’s swing can get long, and there is not much power to his right-handed swing. Dale will need to make serious adjustments to be a viable prospect.
Jorge Ona– .478 OPS .145 average- 28 K (San Antonio Missions)
Injuries de-railed the last few years for Ona, and he is not showing much so far in 2022. With major league experience, you would expect the Cuban outfielder to be tearing it up in Double-A. Instead, he has not produced and has struck out at an alarming rate (28 Ks). Ona is 25 and not a youthful prospect anymore.
Eguy Rosario– .605 OPS .204 average- 30 K (El Paso Chihuahuas)
Rosario vaulted up the prospect ranking list after a productive 2021 season in San Antonio. He has not adjusted to Triple-A pitching this year and is striking out way too much (30 Ks). The 22-year-old plays hard and will likely bring his average up as the season progresses.
PITCHERS
Brandon Komar– 6.75 ERA/1.58 WHIP 12 IP/14 K (Fort Wayne TinCaps)
22-year-old Brandon Komar cannot get through Single-A after pitching 19 games last year for the Missions. The reliever is walking way too many batters and is starting to get buried by the depth in the Padres system. Adjustments need to be made.
Ruben Galindo– 7.84 ERA/1.74 WHIP 10.1 IP/10 K (Lake Elsinore Storm)
Galindo signed late with the Padres as a 20-year-old out of Colombia. In his two seasons, he hasn’t shown much value. The right-handed pitcher is a project for the minor league developmental staff. It may take time for him to reach his potential as he started his career late.
Reggie Lawson– 13.50 ERA/2.75 WHIP 8 IP/8 K (San Antonio Missions)
Working his way back from Tommy John has not been easy for this pitcher. The Padres love the upside and the work ethic from Lawson. In time, he could be a factor out of the pen for the major league team. This tough start is probably more indicative of rust than anything else. Expect better numbers soon from Lawson.
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Henry Henry– 7.36 ERA/1.91 WHIP 11.1 IP/11 K (San Antonio Missions)
The sinker-ball is not sinking well for Henry, who is getting lit up for the Missions. As the season progresses, the thought is that Henry will get more outs. The arm is durable, but the right-handed pitcher lacks refinement and composure on the mound. He could figure it all out in time and become a useful pitcher.
Osvaldo Hernandez– 18.69 ERA/3.00 WHIP 4.1 IP/11 K (San Antonio Missions)
This lefty has a good arm, and his regression over the last few seasons is puzzling. Hernandez has not progressed with his stuff, and there are some concerns that he may never reach his upside. The start is concerning, but there is time for him to improve and regain prospect status.
Reiss Knehr– 7.91 ERA/1.55 WHIP 19.1 IP/14 K (El Paso Chihuahuas)
Knehr is organizational depth. The stuff is fringy, and the right-hander is likely nothing more than a middle reliever at the major league level. That may be a hard pill to swallow for some, but Knehr has no actual out pitch and will likely get beat up the more a team sees him pitch. Nothing really to see here.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.