San Diego Padres Top-100 Prospects

40- Blake Hunt  Age-18.3  30 games/116 at bats (.241/.315/.405) .721 OPS (8 BB/42 K)

The catcher is itching to get behind the plate as he has been nursing a sore shoulder since he was drafted by the Padres with the #69 pick in the 2017 draft. The defensive-minded catcher has developing power as he has tinkered with his approach. Hunt has great intangibles to succeed and should really help the vast amount of young pitchers within the Padres system. He might start in the AZL again this season, but that will depend on his health and how he adjusts in the spring.

39- Jordy Barley  Age- 17.3  49 games/182 at bats (.242/.292/.434) 11 BB/65 K

Barley received $1 million from the Padres in the 2016-17 signing period. He is very raw, but has made some real growth this season in the minors. Barley played in the AZL, and though his numbers were not overly impressive, he had a productive year for a 17-year-old. The right-handed hitter has good size and skill at the shortstop position. His arm is plus and his speed and range are also a positive. His power is lacking presently, but he has a decent swing. Barley was clocked at 6.4 seconds in the 60-yard dash, but has yet to transition his speed into stolen bases.

38- Sam Keating  Age-19  (0-3)  6.97 ERA/2.018 WHIP  18 IP/5 BB/ 16 K

He was selected out of high school in the 2017 draft with the 108th overall pick. The right-handed pitcher has a 92-94 mph fastball with an above-average slider. He has some work to do with the change as it is presently below average. At 19, he has plenty of time to develop. The Padres are confident in the makeup of this young man as he has shown the ability to implement the changes needed to be successful. He has an outside chance at a full season job in 2018, but might begin in Tri-City or the AZL.

37- Eguy Rosario  Age- 18.1  100 games/ 386 at bats (.246/.332/.355) .687 OPS (44 BB/94 K)

The little infielder can swing the bat and he was rewarded for his hard work with a taste of action in Fort Wayne in 2017. He struggled, hitting .206 in 18 at bats, but at the age of 17, he gained so much experience. The Padres are not being shy about promoting players early in their development. Rosario can play second and third base, but has little power presently. The power could come in time as he has shown the ability to drive the ball into the gaps. He is a plus runner, stealing 33 total bases this year.

36- Brad Wieck  Age- 26 (2-1) 2.64 ERA/1.11 WHIP  38.2 IP/23 BB/61 K)

The 26-year-old lefty had a solid year in the minors. He received a call-up to El Paso and was a key member of the Missions’ bullpen in 2017. Wieck has battled some control issues from time to time, but at 6′ 9″, that will always be an issue for him. For the most part, he was able to repeat his mechanics, and that bodes well for his future. Wieck is a bit of a late bloomer, but has progressed really nicely. He should get a cup of coffee in San Diego at some point in the 2018 season at the very least. He is filthy from the left side, hitting the mid 90’s with his fastball.

35-Andres Munoz  Age-18.8  (3-0)  3.81 ERA/1.346 WHIP  26 IP/18 BB/38 K

This fireballer from Mexico should rise through the Padres’ system fairly quickly. He is a reliever and will only be used in that capacity for now as he has issues controlling his triple-digit fastball. The right-hander has some command issues, but that is what you get when you have a hard thrower. The teenager is still growing into his 6′ 2″ frame so there is time for him to harness his delivery. If Munoz learns to do that, he could be a potential closer of the future. He throws easy gas. 100 plus mph fastballs are common from this man and his slider is serviceable as well. He WILL climb this list.

34-Luis Patino  Age-18  (4-2) 2.25 ERA/1.099 WHIP  56 IP/18 BB/58 K

This Colombian pitcher is someone to get really excited about. He was so impressive in the DSL (2-1 with a 1.69 ERA in four starts) that he was promoted to the AZL where he went 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in nine games and eight starts. This year, Chris Kemp spoke about Patino and declared him as the next big thing. Patino usually sits 91-93 with his fastball, but has the ability to get it up to the mid 90’s when needed. Look for him to take a big step forward in 2018.

33- Franmil Reyes  Age- 22.1  135 games/507 at bats (.258/.322/.464) .785 OPS (48 BB/134 K)

The large Dominican outfielder had a great year in San Antonio, where he hit 25 homers and drove in 102 runs. He led the Padres’ minor league franchise in both categories as the 22-year-old might have finally found his stroke. He has legit power, but there are some concerns about his plate discipline and his ability to handle higher talent. Reyes hit 16 dingers in 2016, and eight the year before that. His power is certainly on the rise and he is one to keep an eye on for the 2018 season. The outfielder is average at best with a decent throwing arm. He just does not have much range because of his size.

32- Brad Zunica  Age-22  84 games/ 276 at bats (.249/.324/.425) .775 OPS (43 BB/102 K)

I really enjoy this young man. He is very calm and collected with his demeanor, but at the same time you feel the intensity he has about the game of baseball. He has the ability to hit the ball out to all sides and has outstanding plate coverage. The left-handed hitter has a big strike zone (6′ 6″), but he has shown recently that he is willing to take a walk when needed. Zunica repeated Fort Wayne in 2017, but should be in Lake Elsinore for 2018 and his numbers should climb in the hitters league. Zunica hit .300 off of left-handed pitchers this season. That right there shows his true ability with the stick.

31- Nick Margevicius  Age-21.1  (4-1) 1.31 ERA/0.979  WHIP 48 IP/8 BB/62 K

Keep an eye on this young man as he could be the next version of Joey Luchessi. Like Luchessi, Margevicius wasn’t highly regarded, but he simply gets the job done. He has an outstanding change, and the lefty knows how to use it. He is a pitcher instead of a thrower and spots his low 90’s fastball well to both sides of the plate. The pitcher out of Rider University only walked eight last season in 48 innings. That was very impressive for a youngster in his first taste of pro ball.

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James Clark

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.