Padres News: Taking a Look at New Padres Cuban LHP Adrian Morejon
The San Diego Padres continue to make a splash on the International Market as the team has reportedly inked Cuban left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon to a $11 million dollar deal. The 17-year-old has a very high ceiling and some scouts view him as the most polished young player in the entire International market this season.
A.J. Preller is surely making noise as he has revamped the farm system in the past few months. Between the MLB Draft in June and the International signing period which opened on July 2, the Padres have boosted their once depleted farm system. Especially in the lower levels where the team is loaded with talent from the ages of 17-20. It will take some time, but those young players will pay off eventually.
Padres management is surely attempting to change the philosophy of this franchise. The team has not been very active on the International market in the past and they have changed their views drastically. It will be nice to see a Padres team with a little more diversity in the minor leagues. With the arrival of this young talent in the minors, it will bring way more competition to the Padres system. Being drafted by the team will no longer ensure your spot on a roster. You must show you belong and with that the farm system will improve and so will the product on the field.
Per @JesseSanchezMLB, @Padres sign No. 2 international prospect Adrian Morejon for $11m: https://t.co/j0uuNu9lihpic.twitter.com/yJDb2ppofn
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 7, 2016
Morejon is really polished for a young pitcher. Early indications are he could be a future #1 or #2 pitcher on a major league staff. His fastball has already been clocked in the 93-95 MPH range and he features an above average curve and above average change up. With three plus pitches he should easily breeze through the Padres minor league system. Morejon also throws a knuckle ball which is considered a show pitch more than anything at this point. He has excellent stuff and even better mound presence. The Padres see something special in this young man and that’s why they gave him $11 million dollars.
Source: #Padres sign LHP Adrian Morejon, #2 on @MLB Top 30 Int’l Prospects list https://t.co/BTsVF5bAYy to $11M deal @MLBPipeline
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) July 7, 2016
The Padres were supposed to make a splash on the International market and that is exactly what they have done. Expect the team to be aggressive on the trade front when the deadline approaches later this month. They have talented players that they can flip for prospects and that is exactly what they should do.
A.J. Preller has built the lower minor league system really well. Expect the team to try to acquire higher developed arms and some mid to high level prospects in the corner infield positions. If they can add further talent that is closer to being major league ready, this farm system could get really good, really fast.
Take a look at Morejon in this video. He has a lot of movement on his fastball and his curve has excellent tilt to it. You can definitely see the upside in this young man. His delivery is also very smooth and effortless and that bodes well to his future in terms of health. The Padres may have taken the best player in the draft. They certainly are paying him like he is. Morejon will be eased into action though. So don’t expect to see him in Lake Elsinore anytime soon.
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.