San Diego Padres Top 20 Prospects
1. Rymer Liriano, OF, B+
Liriano is a very good athlete with a very high ceiling. He is a five tool talent, but it remains to be seen whether he will tap into the raw power he has. Either way he has a chance to at least hit for a solid average, with above average speed and gap power with good defense in the outfield.
2. Jedd Gyorko, 3B, B+
Gyorko may not be the kind of athlete that Liriano is, but he can flat out play the game. He is the kind of guy that you want on your team, even though he doesn’t have star potential. He is very close to making an impact at the big league level.
3. Robbie Erlin, LHP, B+
With an excellent idea of what he’s doing on the mound, Erlin has the potential to be a very good mid rotation type starter. He was sidelined earlier in the year with a strained oblique and has now been out since mid-May with tendonitis, but when healthy he has been excellent in AA again and could see a promotion to AAA later in the year.
4. Casey Kelly, RHP, B+
Kelly has a very high ceiling and he could be a very good number 2 starter with his above average stuff, but he has been out since April with an elbow injury. He could come back soon and it will be interesting to see if his control is as good as it was in his first two outings of the year.
5. Keyvius Sampson, RHP, B
Sampson’s control problems are concerning, but he has very good stuff. He could end up a bullpen guy, but he does have high potential.
6. Cory Spangenberg, 2B, B
Spangenberg was selected 10th overall in the 2011 draft out of junior college and has done nothing but hit since signing. Higher level pitching has already exposed some of his flaws at the plate, but with further adjustments he could be an excellent top of the order type hitter with good contact skills and speed.
7. Max Fried, LHP, B
Fried is not my (East Coast) favorite prospect, but his ceiling is undeniably very high, with potential for a plus fastball and curveball mix.
8. Donn Roach, RHP, B-
Acquired along with Alexi Amarista for Ernesto Frieri, Roach collects ground balls like no other and could be an excellent mid rotation type starter.
9. Joe Ross, RHP, B-
Ross has good pure stuff, but he is a long ways away from figuring it out. He has potential to be better than his brother Tyson.
10. Austin Hedges, C, B-
A great defensive catcher, Hedges has also shown some flashes of solid hitting ability as well. Regardless, it will certainly be the excellent defense that gets him to the majors.
11. Travis Jankowski, OF, B-
12. Jonathan Galvez, 2B, B-
13. Jace Peterson, SS, B-
14. Vince Belnome, 2B, B- (can hit but where has the power gone?)
15. Yeison Asencio (Yoan Alcantara), OF, B- (older than expected but can hit and hit for power)
16. Zach Eflin, RHP, C+
17. Walker Weickel, RHP, C+
18. Jeremy Baltz, OF, C+
19. Dane Phillips, C, C+
20. Fernando Perez, SS/3B, C+
21. Jaff Decker, OF, C+ (great on base skills…)
22. Juan Oramas, LHP, C+
23. Reymond Fuentes, OF, C+ (speed only guy?)
24. Mike Kelly, RHP, C+ (good stuff, command woes!)
25. Edinson Rincon, 3B/OF, C+ (can’t field, doesn’t k or bb much, good hitter with future power)
26. Matt Andriese, RHP, C+ (intriguing)
27. John Barbato, RHP, C+ (power reliever)
28. Adys Portillo, RHP, C+
29. Kevin Quackenbush, RHP, C+
Liriano is a very good athlete with a very high ceiling. He is a five tool talent, but it remains to be seen whether he will tap into the raw power he has. Either way he has a chance to at least hit for a solid average, with above average speed and gap power with good defense in the outfield.
2. Jedd Gyorko, 3B, B+
Gyorko may not be the kind of athlete that Liriano is, but he can flat out play the game. He is the kind of guy that you want on your team, even though he doesn’t have star potential. He is very close to making an impact at the big league level.
3. Robbie Erlin, LHP, B+
With an excellent idea of what he’s doing on the mound, Erlin has the potential to be a very good mid rotation type starter. He was sidelined earlier in the year with a strained oblique and has now been out since mid-May with tendonitis, but when healthy he has been excellent in AA again and could see a promotion to AAA later in the year.
4. Casey Kelly, RHP, B+
Kelly has a very high ceiling and he could be a very good number 2 starter with his above average stuff, but he has been out since April with an elbow injury. He could come back soon and it will be interesting to see if his control is as good as it was in his first two outings of the year.
5. Keyvius Sampson, RHP, B
Sampson’s control problems are concerning, but he has very good stuff. He could end up a bullpen guy, but he does have high potential.
6. Cory Spangenberg, 2B, B
Spangenberg was selected 10th overall in the 2011 draft out of junior college and has done nothing but hit since signing. Higher level pitching has already exposed some of his flaws at the plate, but with further adjustments he could be an excellent top of the order type hitter with good contact skills and speed.
7. Max Fried, LHP, B
Fried is not my (East Coast) favorite prospect, but his ceiling is undeniably very high, with potential for a plus fastball and curveball mix.
8. Donn Roach, RHP, B-
Acquired along with Alexi Amarista for Ernesto Frieri, Roach collects ground balls like no other and could be an excellent mid rotation type starter.
9. Joe Ross, RHP, B-
Ross has good pure stuff, but he is a long ways away from figuring it out. He has potential to be better than his brother Tyson.
10. Austin Hedges, C, B-
A great defensive catcher, Hedges has also shown some flashes of solid hitting ability as well. Regardless, it will certainly be the excellent defense that gets him to the majors.
11. Travis Jankowski, OF, B-
12. Jonathan Galvez, 2B, B-
13. Jace Peterson, SS, B-
14. Vince Belnome, 2B, B- (can hit but where has the power gone?)
15. Yeison Asencio (Yoan Alcantara), OF, B- (older than expected but can hit and hit for power)
16. Zach Eflin, RHP, C+
17. Walker Weickel, RHP, C+
18. Jeremy Baltz, OF, C+
19. Dane Phillips, C, C+
20. Fernando Perez, SS/3B, C+
21. Jaff Decker, OF, C+ (great on base skills…)
22. Juan Oramas, LHP, C+
23. Reymond Fuentes, OF, C+ (speed only guy?)
24. Mike Kelly, RHP, C+ (good stuff, command woes!)
25. Edinson Rincon, 3B/OF, C+ (can’t field, doesn’t k or bb much, good hitter with future power)
26. Matt Andriese, RHP, C+ (intriguing)
27. John Barbato, RHP, C+ (power reliever)
28. Adys Portillo, RHP, C+
29. Kevin Quackenbush, RHP, C+
2012 Draft Review: San Diego Padres
Overall Draft Grade: A-
The Padres put a lot of faith in prep arms here, but got three of the best in the class with Fried, Eflin and Weickel. Jankowski, Baltz and Phillips all know how to handle the bat and round out a very impressive, balanced Top 6 selections for San Diego. Fernando Perez is also an interesting follow with the bat, and the Padres added a lot of intriguing guys with their collection of early picks. Fried has the chance to sit atop a rotation and the next five or six guys behind him show the chance to be at least Major League Average. There's quite a bit of depth early here, and San Diego did well to balance out arms and bats as well as college products and high schoolers.
1st Round (7): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA), 6'4", 175
Fried is widely believed to be the best left-handed high schooler in the draft. He has a very intriguing combination of present stuff, size and projectability and is one of the few arms in this class with top of the rotation potential. His fastball sits in the 90-92 range with room for more and he complements that with a curve that shows excellent, plus potential. His change-up will be at least average and he's also been working in a cutter. Given his lean, athletic frame, there's some physical projection here as well and while Fried is a risk as a high school arm, he's got a very high ceiling.
The Padres put a lot of faith in prep arms here, but got three of the best in the class with Fried, Eflin and Weickel. Jankowski, Baltz and Phillips all know how to handle the bat and round out a very impressive, balanced Top 6 selections for San Diego. Fernando Perez is also an interesting follow with the bat, and the Padres added a lot of intriguing guys with their collection of early picks. Fried has the chance to sit atop a rotation and the next five or six guys behind him show the chance to be at least Major League Average. There's quite a bit of depth early here, and San Diego did well to balance out arms and bats as well as college products and high schoolers.
1st Round (7): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA), 6'4", 175
Fried is widely believed to be the best left-handed high schooler in the draft. He has a very intriguing combination of present stuff, size and projectability and is one of the few arms in this class with top of the rotation potential. His fastball sits in the 90-92 range with room for more and he complements that with a curve that shows excellent, plus potential. His change-up will be at least average and he's also been working in a cutter. Given his lean, athletic frame, there's some physical projection here as well and while Fried is a risk as a high school arm, he's got a very high ceiling.
Supplemental Round (33): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (FL), 6'4", 200
Eflin has an intriguing three-pitch mix highlighted by a power fastball that sits in the low 90s with movement, but can touch higher at times. His change-up is well above-average for a high school righty and should improve as he matures. He also throws a breaking ball that has flashed potential. Eflin has a solid, workhorse frame and is a good pairing with Fried at the top.
Eflin has an intriguing three-pitch mix highlighted by a power fastball that sits in the low 90s with movement, but can touch higher at times. His change-up is well above-average for a high school righty and should improve as he matures. He also throws a breaking ball that has flashed potential. Eflin has a solid, workhorse frame and is a good pairing with Fried at the top.
Supplemental Round (44): Travis Jankowski, OF, Stony Brook University (JR), 6'3", 190, L/R
One of the leaders of the magical Stony Brook team that made it to Omaha, Jankowski fits the leadoff hitter mold perfectly. He doesn't have any power to speak of, but does everything else well and can put the ball in play and steal bases with regularity. His plus speed helps him in center where he has good range and instincts and an average arm that can play out there.
One of the leaders of the magical Stony Brook team that made it to Omaha, Jankowski fits the leadoff hitter mold perfectly. He doesn't have any power to speak of, but does everything else well and can put the ball in play and steal bases with regularity. His plus speed helps him in center where he has good range and instincts and an average arm that can play out there.
Supplemental Round (55): Walker Weickel, RHP, Olympia HS (FL), 6'6", 200
Weickel was thought to be a 1st round talent, but slipped down some boards after some less than stellar results right before the draft. He's still good value here, however, and his combination of pitchability and projection bode well. His fastball sits in the 90-91 range with good movement and he complements it with a downer curveball and a solid change-up. His tall, athletic frame leaves plenty of room to add some strength and his stuff could improve as he grows into his frame more.
Weickel was thought to be a 1st round talent, but slipped down some boards after some less than stellar results right before the draft. He's still good value here, however, and his combination of pitchability and projection bode well. His fastball sits in the 90-91 range with good movement and he complements it with a downer curveball and a solid change-up. His tall, athletic frame leaves plenty of room to add some strength and his stuff could improve as he grows into his frame more.
2nd Round (68): Jeremy Baltz, OF, St. John's (JR), 6'3", 205, R/R
Baltz is a solid, collegiate power bat who has shown a good approach at the plate and put up excellent results in 2012. He hit .344 with 26 XBH and a BB:K ratio well over 1:1 for the Red Storm and is a bat first outfielder who profiles best in left field at the next level.
2nd Round (70): Dane Phillips, C, Oklahoma City University, 6'1", 200, L/R
Phillips is a bat-first catcher with some defensive question marks. The bat, however, is outstanding and he has hit for average and some power at every level. He ended up at Oklahoma City after a denied request to transfew to Arkansas and was primarily a DH this year, but the Padres could try him out behind the plate, where his bat would be a very valuable commodity.
Baltz is a solid, collegiate power bat who has shown a good approach at the plate and put up excellent results in 2012. He hit .344 with 26 XBH and a BB:K ratio well over 1:1 for the Red Storm and is a bat first outfielder who profiles best in left field at the next level.
2nd Round (70): Dane Phillips, C, Oklahoma City University, 6'1", 200, L/R
Phillips is a bat-first catcher with some defensive question marks. The bat, however, is outstanding and he has hit for average and some power at every level. He ended up at Oklahoma City after a denied request to transfew to Arkansas and was primarily a DH this year, but the Padres could try him out behind the plate, where his bat would be a very valuable commodity.
3rd Round (102): Fernando Perez, SS, Central Arizona College, 6'2", 190, L/R
Unable to play for his high school team, Perez transferred to the junior college scene to make sure he was noticed this spring. He was, primarily because of his potential with the bat thanks to some good bat speed and power potential. In the field, he likely merits a move to third, but you're buying the power bat here.
4th Round (135): Andrew Lockett, RHP, Providence School of Jacksonville (FL), 6'5", 225
There isn't too much available on Lockett, but given his frame, it's obvious that the Padres like the physical projection here. He was a two-way guy in high school and should benefit from focusing exclusively on pitching.
5th Round (165): Mallex Smith, OF, Santa Fe CC, 5'9", 155, L/R
Given his frame and position, it's easy to profile Smith as a speedy, lead-off type hitter. He stole plenty of bases at Santa Fe and should stick in center field with good range.
6th Round (195): Jalen Goree, SS, Bibb County HS (AL), 5'10", 195, R/R
7th Round (225): Jose Madrid, RHP, Central Florida (JR), 6'0", 185
8th Round (255): Brian Adams, OF, Kentucky University (JR), 6'4", 215, R/R
9th Round (285): River Stevens, IF, Allan Hancock College, 6'0", 165, L/R
10th Round (315): Steven Carmon, SS, University of South Carolina Aiken (SR), 5'7", 155, L/R
Unable to play for his high school team, Perez transferred to the junior college scene to make sure he was noticed this spring. He was, primarily because of his potential with the bat thanks to some good bat speed and power potential. In the field, he likely merits a move to third, but you're buying the power bat here.
4th Round (135): Andrew Lockett, RHP, Providence School of Jacksonville (FL), 6'5", 225
There isn't too much available on Lockett, but given his frame, it's obvious that the Padres like the physical projection here. He was a two-way guy in high school and should benefit from focusing exclusively on pitching.
5th Round (165): Mallex Smith, OF, Santa Fe CC, 5'9", 155, L/R
Given his frame and position, it's easy to profile Smith as a speedy, lead-off type hitter. He stole plenty of bases at Santa Fe and should stick in center field with good range.
6th Round (195): Jalen Goree, SS, Bibb County HS (AL), 5'10", 195, R/R
7th Round (225): Jose Madrid, RHP, Central Florida (JR), 6'0", 185
8th Round (255): Brian Adams, OF, Kentucky University (JR), 6'4", 215, R/R
9th Round (285): River Stevens, IF, Allan Hancock College, 6'0", 165, L/R
10th Round (315): Steven Carmon, SS, University of South Carolina Aiken (SR), 5'7", 155, L/R
Padres Draft Strategy: An Overview
Without Jed Hoyer this year, it will be interesting to see what direction the Padres go in the draft. They seemed to have found an interesting strategy in recent drafts in which they selected a fair number of JUCO players in the early rounds of the past two years. They may not continue this, however, especially given the fact that they have plenty of financial stability with 14 picks in the first 10 rounds and $9.903 million to spend. The trend of JUCO players may be a Hoyer thing, as he was only with the club for these two drafts, and the Padres definitely have the potential to take some risks early, or on some risky talent that falls due to signability.
With an already impressive farm system, the Padres are in a great position to continue piling on talent. Josh Byrnes has already had one draft with the Padres and I see them going in a very similar direction, acquiring a few high school talents at the top, while mixing in a few JUCO and some college guys throughout the rest of the top 10 rounds. Regardless, the Padres look to have a very good draft again this year, as their organization is still in very good hands with Byrnes. It should be noted that they are one of the few teams that could hypothetically afford the price tag associated with Lucas Giolito.
Mock Draft Selections: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA), Addison Russell, SS/3B, Pace HS (FL), Mitch Haniger, OF, Cal Poly, Tony Renda, 2B, California
With an already impressive farm system, the Padres are in a great position to continue piling on talent. Josh Byrnes has already had one draft with the Padres and I see them going in a very similar direction, acquiring a few high school talents at the top, while mixing in a few JUCO and some college guys throughout the rest of the top 10 rounds. Regardless, the Padres look to have a very good draft again this year, as their organization is still in very good hands with Byrnes. It should be noted that they are one of the few teams that could hypothetically afford the price tag associated with Lucas Giolito.
Mock Draft Selections: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA), Addison Russell, SS/3B, Pace HS (FL), Mitch Haniger, OF, Cal Poly, Tony Renda, 2B, California
Coming Soon to the Padres Team Page: Top 20 Prospects List
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