San Diego Padres Top 100 Prospects

30- Tucupita Marcano–  INF  09/16/1999

This skinny left-handed hitter has certainly emerged. The Venezuelan infielder put up a .888 OPS in 52 games between two levels in 2018. Marcano tore up Arizona, recording a .940 OPS in 35 games. He went to Tri-City and hit .314 in 70 at-bats against older competition. He should start the year in Fort Wayne and could further break out. Marcano is not a real power threat. He can drive the ball to the gaps and does barrel up the baseball constantly, but he probably will never be a huge threat to hit a home run. He has an excellent eye at the plate and plus speed. There is the thought that he could eventually move to the outfield (center) if shortstop and second base don’t work out. He is decent in the infield presently and still very young, so anything can happen.

29-Pedro Avila–  RHP  01/14/1997

This curveball specialist was protected this winter by the team and added to the 40-man roster. He has a great arm, but is not blessed with the best size and frame. The 5-foot-11 pitcher from Venezuela had an impressive winter and looks poised to further develop in 2019. He threw 130.2 innings last year for the Storm, posting a 4.27 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP in 24 games. The strike-thrower has a decent shot to be a mid-rotation-type pitcher eventually in the big leagues. At 21, Avila is yet another example of the Padres’ pitching depth.

28-Nick Margevicius–  LHP  06/18/1996

This left-handed pitcher just knows how to pitch. He doesn’t blow you away with velocity, but instead changes speeds off his slider and curve. He attacks hitters and generally throws strikes. He has plus intangibles and is also extremely calm on the mound. Last year, he was an all-star in the Midwest League and then was promoted to Lake Elsinore. He ended his season in the Double-A playoffs, where he pitched very well for the Missions. It is not out of the question for him to sniff the major leagues late this summer if he continues to progress.

27-Edward Olivares–  OF  03/06/1996

Just about one year ago, the Padres made a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays for this young man. The right-handed hitter has an unorthodox swing, but has shown great ability on the baseball field. He is currently the heaviest he has ever been as the Padres insisted on him gaining weight. The lanky outfielder can play center, and in time, could be a real power threat. He has speed and a plus arm so there is a lot to like about this outfielder from Venezuela.

26- Reggie Lawson– RHP  08/02/1997

Lawson has a really good arm. An improved changeup in 2018 was key for him making 22 starts and throwing 117 innings. At 21, Lawson is right on schedule with his progression. Control continues to be an issue for this right-handed pitcher. He falls behind hitters early in counts and leaves pitches over the middle from time to time. The 6-foot-4 pitcher is growing into his frame and should be able to go longer in games in 2019.

25- Austin Allen–  C   01/16/1994

The left-handed-hitting catcher continues to develop with the glove. Allen has noticeably put in the effort to improve his receiving skills, while at the same time continuing to pound the baseball. After recording a .857 OPS in San Antonio, it is clear that he will start the year in El Paso and gives the Padres yet another catching option in the later part of the 2019 season. He should continue to develop with the glove as Allen works very hard at his craft.

24- Luis Campusano–  C  09/29/1998

There is a lot to like about this right-handed-hitting catcher. The son of a minor league catcher, Campusano has all the skills to be a productive major league catcher behind the plate. His bat is steady but not flashy. He has some power and puts in quality at-bats, but needs to cut down on his aggression with the bat. At 20, Campusano is playing above his age, and doing it well. He played in 70 games for the TinCaps and recorded a .710 OPS. Catchers are not supposed to mature as fast as Campusano has. He has a decent upside.

23- Owen Miller–  SS  11/15/1996

The right-handed hitter out of Illinois State produced at three levels since being selected with the #84 overall pick in the June draft. He started in Tri-City, where he put up a .835 OPS in 49 games and 191 at-bats. He was promoted to Fort Wayne, where the infielder hit even better, recording a .864 OPS in 26 games for the Tin Caps. He was promoted all the way to Double-A, in the Missions playoff run, and held his own in the Texas League. Miller can play all four infield spots. He might not have the arm for shortstop, but he is capable of playing the position. Miller constantly barrels up baseballs and shows impressive intangibles.

22- Gabriel Arias–  SS  02/27/2000

The slick-fielding shortstop has had recent troubles with the glove. He can make a diving catch, but has struggled with the simple plays. In time, Arias should mature to fit into the Gold Glove-caliber player that scouts envision. At 18, he showed well in Fort Wayne in 124 games. The right-handed hitter only recorded a .654 OPS, but displayed flashes of brilliance with his smooth swing. Once he cut down on his leg kick, he really began to square the ball up. There is a lot to like with Arias as he is a true shortstop with decent power. His glove is plus and the bat is showing signs of life. He’s a year or two away from even sniffing major league play, but Arias is still a decent prospect.

21-Buddy Reed–  OF  04/27/1995

Baseball came late to Buddy Reed as he grew up playing hockey on the East Coast. Using his slap shot on the ice allowed the switch-hitter to work on his swing from both sides of the plate. He can really fly on the basepaths and has learned to play small ball with his swing. Reed could eventually be a productive leadoff hitter once he learns to get on base more consistently. He was once considered only a gap power hitter, but as his swing gets better, the power is coming. Reed played well in Lake Elsinore, recording a .921 OPS, but struggled in San Antonio, putting up a .461 OPS in 43 games. He will repeat the Double-A level and could eventually be in the mix for an outfield spot at Petco Park.

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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.