San Diego Padres Top 100 Prospects
Credit: EVT Sports
70- Ruddy Giron Age: 21.5 INF
The right handed hitting Giron has taken a step back in the last season and a half. He was once viewed as a top prospect on the team, but the influx of new blood has forced him down on this list. He has shown a plus bat with a short, compact swing that he uses to drive the ball into the gaps. Giron has a decent arm and is a pretty solid fielder. He has the ability to play all over the infield, but has battled nagging little injuries. He is still young enough to gain relevance in the system once again.
69- Martin Carrasco Age: 18.6 RHP
This Tijuana native does not throw hard, but he seems to get batters out consistently. He has been slow to start his season in Arizona this year due to some nagging injuries. His numbers are hard to ignore from his time in the DSL last year (2.64 ERA/0.978 WHIP) as a 17-year-old. Carrasco will probably need to wait until next year to make his first full-season professional team. He should be able to stick in the rotation moving forward.
68- Wilmert Paula Age: 16.8 SS
This left-handed hitting shortstop has a very smooth swing which he uses to slash balls from gap to gap. He was signed on July 2 out of the Dominican Republic at a very young age and could prove to be one of the better players selected for $300,000. It will take him a year or two to make his way to the States, but keep an eye on him. Defensively he looks to be able to stick at the position as he has shown some skill there.
67- Joey Cantillo Age: 18.5 LHP
This left-handed pitcher from Hawaii is starting to find command. He has a deceptive delivery and can be tough to hit against when he throws strikes. Cantillo was a 16th round pick in 2017 and has really matured as a pitcher. He seems to be very coachable and there are indications that is the case. He is dominating the AZL, and with that the 6-foot-4 pitcher could earn a promotion to Tri-City relatively soon.
66- Brett Kennedy Age: 23.7 RHP
The right handed pitcher out of Fordham University has thrown well in El Paso this season. He could be in line for a call up soon to the major leagues as he can no longer be ignored. Kennedy is not a big pitcher and he doesn’t throw particularly hard, but he gets out. There is not a huge projection for him down the road, but he could continue to develop as he displays certain intangibles that cannot be evaluated on a stat sheet.
65- Olivier Basabe Age: 21 INF
The Venezuelan native was drafted out of Faulkner University in round eight of the 2017 draft. A right handed hitter, Basabe has shown a quick bat and a pretty level swing so far in the Padres system. Not much power, though he could develop average slugging ability in time. He has some speed, but has not yet translated that to stolen bases. The infielder has a plus arm and is capable of playing third, second or shortstop. He has decent hands, but does need to work on footwork, especially if he wants to continue in the middle of the diamond.
64- Luis Asuncion Age: 21.4 OF
He is in his second stint in Tri-City and has been passed in the depth charts by younger outfielders. Asuncion has plus power from the right side of the plate, but has failed to show it on a consistent basis. He is serviceable in right, but can get erratic with his throws. He could be a late bloomer in the system if he can learn to be more of a patient hitter at the plate. I like the upside here, but the club seems to be getting inpatient with him.
63- David Bednar Age: 23.7 RHP
Bednar is high on the MLB pipeline list, but he has struggled a bit in Lake Elsinore and is not a starting pitcher. He is armed with a mid 90’s fastball and a decent curve ball. Control continues to be an issue for this reliever as he battles mechanical problems. Bednar is not a very young prospect and his future is certainly in the bullpen. He could be a possible option in a season or two.
62- Robbie Podorsky Age: 23.5 OF
The short in stature, right handed hitter just gets on base and makes things happen. He is not blessed with any particular above average trait, but he grinds at bats and gives it his all each and every day. He has a very nice compact swing and is difficult to strike out. He profiles as a left fielder/leadoff type of player at the upper levels. People keep looking past this man and he keeps on putting up numbers. Currently in Fort Wayne, don’t be surprised if you see this man at Petco one day. He is a fan favorite as he really respects the game of baseball.
61- Dan Dallas Age: 20.5 LHP
Dallas has some nice upside and has yet to really discover himself on the mound. Dallas is getting better each year. He has decent size (6-foot-2) and has displayed plus stuff on the mound. Mid 90’s fastball with movement. He is currently pitching out of the bullpen in Tri-City and doing it very well. He could be an option for the team in a few years out of the pen if it all comes together. He will move up this list, but will probably stick in the bullpen limiting his overall prospect value.
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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.
I feel sad about Austin Smith. I remember when he was regularly ranked in the top 30. Really hope he finds his control and grows in his abilities again!
I am in awe of what you of put together with this Chronicle of the Padres, Major and especially minor leagues. You’ve so increase my and my son’s knowledge of our team. I appreciate the other writers you bring in also. I’m going to print this massive collection of “the hundred” out to help follow their progress.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for the comments.
Very entertaining list! Tucupita Marcano is obliterating the pitching he has faced; his slash line is borderline video-game-ish. I’m surprised to see him not ranked in the top 30…is this a function of his lack of power or a true infield position?
He is doing that at the AZL level. He is creeping up the list, but not a top 30 guy just yet.
James,I think it’s time to move Hudson Potts to SA ,he seems to be the only positional player trending up in the whole program these days.With Tatis out for the year the farm system seemed to lose it’s juice recently.Urias has been doing nothing so besides the pitchers to talk about its pretty boring these days on the farm.Your thoughts on Potts.
He is very close to being ready, but still has some issues with contact. He is still only 19 and the organization is wisely taking their time with him. Players like Tucupita Marcano and Xavier Edwards are trending upward in the AZL. There still are names to be excited about offensively.
This is very helpful. I am glad you enjoy putting this together, many of us enjoy it as well. It seems there are several pitchers in the midst of a TJ recovery (Cosme; etc), any chance of an article chronicling their progress?
James,why is River Stevens not on this list?He was an All Star before he got hurt and is getting most of the SS reps in Tatis absence.
He’s 26. Just missed the cut, actually. I preferred to put kids that were seven and eight years younger. The depth in the system is extraordinary. I couldn’t include everyone. Thanks for the comment.
Great work as always!
I’m really stoked that you included 2018 draft picks and International signings.
This is an excellent data base for Pads fans.
Thank you James!
Thank you for the support
I love these kind of exhaustive, reference articles. Good job. It would be interesting to know more about Mejia’s defensive issues, as apparently it was a deal breaker for Cleveland.
Thank you. The team is currently evaluating him in that regard.
James, I’m really worried about Anderson Espinoza. He was universally ranked number 1 two-years ago, and then Tommy John. Any reports on whether his velocity will come back, and how he’s progressing?
He is still working his way back. Has yet to really throw off a mound at full speed. Hopefully the velocity returns. His upside is tremendous.
Excellent piece James. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as always.
thank you