Padres News: San Diego Padres Top 20 Prospects
4) Colin Rea – RHP
Date of Birth: 07/01/1990
Height/Weight: 6’5’’/ 220 pounds
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Acquired: Drafted in 12th round (383rd overall) in 2011
Drafted in the 12th round of the 2011 draft, Colin Rea might have the best chance of any Padres prospect at graduating next season. While Austin Smith may be the Padres best raw pitching prospect, Colin Rea is clearly the most polished. Not a lot was expected of Rea prior to his rapid rise through the Padres minor league system last season. After finishing the 2014 season at high A ball, Rea started 2015 in Double A, had a short stint at Triple A, and finished the season with the Padres at the big league level. In just one short year, Rea took himself from fringy prospect to Padres rotation member and possible #4 starter long term.
Rea’s pitching acumen has thoroughly advanced in a short amount of time over the past season. Rea consistently sits in the low 90s with his fastball with the potential to hit 96 mph. He also throws an upper eighties cutter and a much more powerful curveball than in year’s past, giving him a strong three pitch arsenal to work with. However, the most important thing for Rea last season was his improved control. If Rea is able to continue to show strong command, and is able to further refine his pitches, he has the ability to be a consistent #4 starter with the potential to be a #3 for the Padres going forward. Not flashy or sexy, Rea is nevertheless a consistent and intelligent pitcher on the hill.
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Editorial and Prospect Writer for East Village Times. Twenty-five years young, Patrick has lived in San Diego for his entire life and has been a Padres fan nearly as long. Patrick lives for baseball and is always looking to learn new things about the game he loves through advanced stats.