San Diego Padres Top 100 Prospects

40- Mason Thompson–  RHP  02/20/1998

This right-handed pitcher was selected in the 2016 draft out of high school. He was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the time and was still rehabbing. The Padres inked the big Texan and he has slowly progressed with his health. The tall pitcher has mechanical issues from time to time and has yet to really gain his top velocity back. This 2019 season could be a year where Thompson emerges in the Padres’ system.

39- Justin Lopez–  INF  05/09/2000

For two seasons in a row, Lopez has played above his age group. He played 2017 in Tri-City as a 17-year-old and made it into 68 games last year as an 18-year-old in the Midwest League. Lopez is a switch-hitter, but is far too aggressive for a player with little to no power presently. He needs to refine his swing and be more patient in order to advance. He can play an adequate middle infield, where he moves fairly well for his 6-foot-2 frame.

38- Ty France–  INF   07/13/1994

Ty France has done nothing but get better each year he has played in the minors. He made it all the way to El Paso last year and finally displayed the power that most thought would come eventually. France hit 22 homers last year in 509 at-bats and put up a .819 OPS between both the minor league teams in Texas. The former SDSU Aztec is a right-handed hitter who generally makes contact. He is an adequate fielder at third base. France is the classic overachiever. The more you count him out, the better he gets. He could factor eventually for the team at third.

37- Frank Lopez–  RHP  04/23/2001

Last year in Peoria, Chris Kemp, the Padres International Scouting Director, tipped me of this young Venezuelan. He is throwing comfortably in the mid-’90s as a teenager and has shown a very advanced feel for the art of pitching. He struck out 35 in 28 innings pitched last year in Arizona. He also allowed 17 runs and recorded a 5.46 ERA. The right-handed pitcher walked 22 last year and showed every bit of his age from time to time. There is still much to like with this young hurler, who reminds me of Luis Patino. His changeup is a plus pitch already that has nasty cut and tail to it.

36- Grant Little–  OF  07/08/1997

The Padres selected this outfielder with the #74 overall pick in the June draft. The Texas Tech product has a great hit tool and can run like the wind. The athletic center fielder needs to improve arm strength to stick at the position though. He put up a .666 OPS last year in Tri-City, showing very little power. The right-handed hitter has a very quick bat and there is some thought that the power will come eventually for him.

35- Manuel Partida–  LHP  09/25/2000

This Mexican left-handed pitcher is very impressive. Partida is already throwing in the ’90s despite being a teenager. He performed well in the DSL this season and has shown great poise on the mound. He throws strikes and pounds the zone to both sides of the plate. In the DSL, he struck out 58 batters in 58 innings pitched while only walking 11. He failed to give up a home run last year in the DSL and should get a taste of minor league baseball in the States this coming season.

34- Trey Wingenter–  RHP  04/15/1994

He made a pretty impressive debut with the Padres in 2019. He powers a mid to upper 90’s fastball through the zone with ease. An improved slider has resulted in Wingenter gaining more confidence on the mound. He has the stuff to close or pitch in a setup capacity. Like most hard throwers, he does battle some control issues from time to time.

33- Osvaldo Hernandez–  LHP  05/15/1998

This Cuban left-handed pitcher is very impressive. He has plus control and really knows how to spot his fastball. He went 11-4 with a 1.81 ERA last year in Fort Wayne, pitching 109 innings for the TinCaps. He will not blow hitters away, but will get batters off balance. He is not very tall, but has the repertoire of pitches to be able to stick as a starting pitcher. Expect to see him in Lake Elsinore in 2019.

32- Blake Hunt–  C  11/10/1998

A shoulder injury gave Hunt a little bit of a slow start to his professional career. He has been 100 percent for over a year and looks to really build on a positive 2018 season in which he put up some really impressive numbers in Tri-City. A bad month watered down his numbers a bit, but he should be full speed to start 2019 in Fort Wayne. He has plus defensive skills and plus power. Little by little, he is learning his craft and improving with the bat. He could be a fast developer as he has plus intangibles that cannot be seen on a stat sheet.

31- Dylan Coleman–  RHP  09/16/1996

Currently flying under the radar is this young man from Missouri State. He was selected in the 4th round last year and made it all the way to Fort Wayne, recording a 3.24 ERA in 16.2 innings pitched of relief. He struck out 22 in that time while walking nine. He has an upper 90’s fastball with a plus slider. The reliever can throw a change and curve, but might not need those pitches at the upper level as he is a reliever. At 6-foot-5 he has excellent size, and at 22, he will eventually be a viable relief option for the Padres.

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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.