Padres News: 14 Prospects Traded this Off-Season, How are They Doing?
Dustin Peterson and Jace Peterson were the final two pieces to the Justin Upton deal. Jace Peterson, the Padres 1st round pick (58th overall) in 2011, even made the Braves out of spring training and has received a decent amount of playing time at second base. He hasn’t hit very well so far though. Jace Peterson is hitting .171 for the Braves in 41 at bats. Dustin Peterson, the Padres 2nd round pick in 2013 is in high A Ball (Carolina League) and has a batting line of .217/.288/.413 with two homers and eight runs batted in.
Zach Eflin was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Matt Kemp deal. Eflin was the San Diego Padres first round pick (31st overall) in the 2012 draft. He was dealt by the Dodgers to the Philadelphia Phillies for shortstop Jimmy Rollins. (Which kills me, because Jimmy Rollins would be a nice fit on the Padres team). So far this season in AA Reading for the Phillies, Eflin is 2-0 in three starts and has a zero ERA. Eflin has yet to allow a run in 15.2 innings. He has walked three batters and struck out seven. Eflin has started the season out on the right track.
Joe Wieland was the other prospect dealt with Yasmani Grandal for Matt Kemp. Wieland was acquired by the Padres with Robbie Erlin at the trade deadline in 2011 from the Texas Rangers for relief pitcher Mike Adams. Wieland is currently in AAA for the Dodgers and there was even talk that he might be called up to pitch in the past series at Petco vs the Padres, The Dodgers ultimately decided against it. Wieland so far in three games has a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings in the minors. He has allowed 12 hits while walking two and striking out 17.
Johnny Barbato was dealt in December for fan favorite (sarcasm) Shawn Kelley. Barbato was the Padres 6th round pick in the 2010 draft. So far this season in AA Trenton Barbato has a 1.35 ERA and a 1.050 WHIP. He has allowed only one earned run in six innings pitched. Barbato has stuck out nine and walked three batters so far this season.
Jake Bauers was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays for Wil Myers. Bauers was the San Diego Padres 7th round pick in the 2013 draft. The left-handed hitting first baseman, projects to be a power bat in the middle of the lineup. In 15 games this far Bauers is hitting .275 with three home runs ad 11 runs batted in. He has also smashed two doubles and a triple in his 51 at bats. He has amassed a .529 slugging percentage so far this season. Very impressive for the young slugger.
Burch Smith was also dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wil Myers deal. Smith was the Padres 14th round pick in the 2011 draft and is currently on the 60 day DL with elbow issues. Another victim of the Tommy John surgery. At the age of 25, his window of opportunity is closing. He will be lost for the entire 2015 and half the 2016 season.
Trea Turner was the last piece to the Wil Myers deal. He is officially still a Padres player because he cannot be dealt per MLB baseball guidelines. Turner hasn’t been in the Padres minor league system for the year necessary to be eligible to be traded. He is the player to be named later, everybody in baseball knows he is the property of the Washigton Nationals. Turner so far this season is hitting .279 in 61 at bats with one home run and four runs batted in. He has only managed two stolen bases, but does own a .353 on base percentage thanks to seven walks.
These 14 players are gone, they are no longer in the Padres minor league system. They all represent the past managements draft picks, so A.J. Preller really had no sentimental connection to them. The turn around of players was unprecedented for a single off-season. The Padres did a great job of revitalizing their franchise and creating a winner attitude. Go Padres!
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.
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