San Diego Padres: Top 10 Rookie-Eligible Prospects for 2018

We have reached the point of the offseason where prospect lists abound. We continue our top 10 prospects for every team with the San Diego Padres!

Our team top 10 prospect lists at Call to the Pen are spearheaded by Benjamin Chase. Today, he gives us the top ten prospects for the San Diego Padres.

This season, we will be going through teams by division, in order of 2017 record. The AL East will be first, followed by the AL Central and AL West. Then the focus will shift to the National League in the same order.

The format will be as it was last season for the same lists, with a system review, which will include last season’s list. The top 10 will follow in reverse order, two players per page in order to give adequate space to each player. Major trades or international signings will lead to an updated top 10!

Finally, don’t go away after #1 is revealed as each list will also contain a player either signed in the 2017 international free agent class or drafted in 2017 that isn’t part of the top 10 and should be tracked. Last season’s mentions in that area made over half of the top 10s this season, so this is a great way to get to know a player who could be making a big splash in the organization.

System overview

Last year’s list

The San Diego Padres made a big push for contention in 2015 and saw injuries and poor performances shoot down the work that General Manager A.J. Preller had done to build the major league team. After that season, Preller embarked on a massive rebuild that has led to the Padres trading away nearly every major part of that 2015 team other than Cory Spangenberg and Wil Myers of players who had more than 60 games in that season.

That major league purge has quickly turned the San Diego Padres into one of the premier farm systems in the major leagues. With smart Latin signings, a big push into the Cuban market, and sharp drafting, the Padres have built an enviable system.

As the major league team starts to see some of the pieces of the farm system filter in this season and especially next season, the farm system’s top rating could start to slip a little, but there is such tremendous depth in this system that from roughly #8 to about #19-23 in the system could really be interchangeable depending on who was doing the rating.

Let’s take a look at that system….

Next: #9 and #10

10. Franchy Cordero, OF

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/2/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: AAA El Paso Chihuahuas, MLB San Diego Padres
2017 Stats: Minors: .326/.369/.603, 419 PA, 17 HR, 15 SB, 23/118 BB/K; Majors: .228/.276/.424, 99 PA, 3 HR, 1 SB, 6/44 BB/K

Info: Originally signed by the San Diego Padres as a shortstop, Cordero couldn’t handle the position and was moved to center field. He jumped up the system in 2016 and spent multiple trips up to the majors in 2017.

Arguably the most toolsy player in the system at his base skills, (Cordero) still has plenty of raw-ness to his tools

Arguably the most toolsy player in the system at his base skills, he still has plenty of raw-ness to his tools. He is a plus-plus runner after his first couple of steps, though he’s not got great first-step quickness. He uses that speed well in getting across bases and to snag plenty of flies in the outfield.

Cordero has plus raw power and pounds the gaps, as evidenced by his total of 24 doubles, 21 triples, and 20 home runs between the minors and majors.

While Cordero does have solid pitch recognition, he does not have good zone recognition, attacking pitches that are even close to the zone. Until he can control the strike zone, he’ll be a second-tier outfielder or even a fourth outfielder, but if he could learn that, he could be an absolute monster with his raw skills.

The San Diego Padres are giving Cordero every chance to spend all of 2018 at the major league level.

9. Joey Lucchesi, LHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/6/1993 (24)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Lake Elsinore Storm, AA San Antonio Missions
2017 Stats: 24 G, 23 GS, 139 IP, 2.20 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 6% BB, 27% K

Info: A senior draftee out of less-heralded Southeast Missouri State in the 4th round in 2016, Lucchesi has flown up the San Diego Padres system in his short time in it, showing himself to be near major-league ready less than two years after being drafted.

Lucchesi has an odd delivery that can mess with hitters’ timing with a high leg kick and various speed changes within the delivery, but he repeats it very well. The deception within his delivery allows his stuff to play up, and his ability to repeat allows him to locate very well.

His fastball sits low-90s and gets excellent plane with his over-the-top delivery and 6’5″ height, getting weak swings and plenty of miss on the pitch. He throws an upper-70s curve that’s his best secondary offering, with a loop ahead of the plate, but it breaks late, giving it extra life.

Lucchesi’s change deceives in an odd way in that it looks like a slider or cutter out of hand, but then stays straight, leading to plenty of awkward swings and very rare barrels on the pitch. He’s shown an ability to manipulate his fastball to get extra movement to really work as fourth pitch.

His raw stuff would project Lucchesi as a back end starter, but his deception and ability to command all of it could allow him to work as a mid-rotation guy. The San Diego Padres will start Lucchesi in AAA in 2018, and he could see some big league time by the end of the season.

Next: #7 and #8

8. Logan Allen, LHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/23/1997 (20)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, high-A Lake Elsinore Storm
2017 Stats: 24 G, 23 GS, 125 IP, 2.95 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.4% BB, 27.1% K

Info: Heavily-scouted at IMG Academy in Florida, many thought Allen would be a difficult sign out of the first round, so when the Red Sox grabbed him in the 8th round of the 2015 draft and were able to sign him, he was immediately one of their more desirable trade targets. The San Diego Padres made sure to include Allen as part of the deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to Boston.

After missing much of 2016 due to elbow issues, Allen was turned loose in 2017, totaling 125 innings and showing well in both A-ball levels at 20 years old.

Allen works with a three pitch mix that he seems to know how to add and subtract to in order to get movement and get deep into games, sitting 92-94 typically with his fastball, topping out at 96-97, but often putting up 88-90 on hitters with added movement to throw off timing. His change utilizes a “Vulcan” grip, and has a wicked dip just ahead of the plate, showing plus and even double-plus at times.

His curve can get too slurvy and it can get loopy, but when he’s more 11-5 with the angle on the pitch with a hard, sharp break, he flashes plus on the pitch, but he’s still developing that feel on the pitch.

Allen has a repeatable, calm delivery that allows him to pound the strike zone, but can leave him hittable. Adding another breaking pitch or a fastball variation (cutter, split-finger) could give him the weapons to be a #2, but he has a fairly safe #4 floor with his stuff. The San Diego Padres will give him his first taste of the upper minors in AA in 2018.

7. Anderson Espinoza, RHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/9/1998 (20)
2017 teams/levels played for: none
2017 Stats: none

Info: The Red Sox signed the highly touted Espinoza out of Venezuela in 2014, and by the time he finished the 2015 season, he was widely considered one of the best young arms in all of baseball. The San Diego Padres made him the focus of their deal to send Drew Pomeranz to Boston, but MLB punished the Padres and Preller for not revealing all of Pomeranz’s medical details.

When he’s healthy and on the mound, Espinoza has some of the best stuff in all of minor league baseball

In a bit of irony, Espinoza ended up having Tommy John surgery in August of 2017 after struggling with injury up to that point, meaning he’ll likely miss all of 2018 as well. That certainly sets back the time frame on Espinoza, but he certainly could still be very productive.

When he’s healthy and on the mound, Espinoza has some of the best stuff in all of minor league baseball. Espinoza throws a fastball that runs 95-97 and can touch triple digits with a ton of late movement. He pairs that with a change that he can already manipulate in movement and velocity, showing tremendous feel for the pitch.

Espinoza works with an upper-70s curve as his third pitch that is really a quality pitch when he’s on it right, but he’s still developing the feel on the pitch. He has absolute frontline stuff when healthy, but the San Diego Padres will be cautious with his return and give him the time to return healthy to ensure they get that top end.

Next: #5 and #6

6. Luis Urias, 2B/SS

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/3/1997 (20)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA San Antonio Missions
2017 Stats: .296/.398/.380, 526 PA, 3 HR, 7 SB, 68/65 BB/K

Info: One of the biggest bargains possibly ever in the Latin market, the San Diego Padres bought Urias’ rights from his Mexican League team when he was 16, and he’s been much better than anyone ever could have dreamed.

Urias is a gifted hitter, making tremendous hard contact on everything he hits and rarely missing when he swings. He is a line drive hitter over a power guy, but he can yank one over the fence as well while tallying plenty of extra bases through doubles and triples.

In the field, Urias uses above-average speed to play a plus second base with excellent hands and footwork around the bag. He has the instincts and hands to work at shortstop when needed, though he’s more average there while he’d be an elite defensive player at the keystone.

Urias has jumped up the system quickly, and he’ll spend a lot of time in AAA this season before he turns 21. He could even end up the San Diego Padres starter at 2B before he celebrates his 21st birthday this June.

5. Adrian Morejon, LHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/27/1999 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: short-season A-ball Tri-City Dust Devils, low-A Fort Wayne TinCaps
2017 Stats: 13 GS, 63 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 6% BB, 21.8% K

Info: Few pitchers have come from Cuba as young as Morejon, and few have had the hype behind him when coming over from Cuba as Morejon before signing for $11 million with the San Diego Padres in July of 2016.

before (2017) spring training was over, the reports on (Morejon’s) throwing sessions were already becoming the stuff of legend

Morejon made his pro debut in 2017, and before spring training was over, the reports on his throwing sessions were already becoming the stuff of legend. Blessed with an array of pitches, Morejon leads them with a fastball that sits 91-93 and can touch 95-96 with excellent ability to manipulate the fastball for different looks.

The best of Morejon’s secondaries is his change, but that would be incorrect to say singularly as he throws multiple change ups. One is a more traditional change with good late sink and wiggle. The other is a knuckle-change with a late dive in its movement. Both flash plus but already can sit above-average, weapons for Morejon in any count. He throws a hard curve that is a fringe-plus pitch at its best, but it’s definitely the most inconsistent of his offerings.

For his age, Morejon is incredibly advanced, already showing himself more than ready for a full season, which the San Diego Padres will likely do at high-A in 2018.

Next: #3 and #4

2. MacKenzie Gore, LHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/24/1999 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: Arizona Rookie League Padres
2017 Stats: 7 GS, 21 1/3 IP, 1.27 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 8.3% BB, 40.5% K

Info: Considered by many as the top prospect in the entire 2017 draft with his elite stuff after having an incredible high school season. The San Diego Padres were more than happy to grab Gore with the 3rd overall selection.

Gore’s high leg kick is definitely his visual selling point, an indication of his impressive athleticism as he is able to go from his high leg kick and repeat his delivery consistently, showing impressive command and control of all four pitches.

He leads off his pitch mix with a fastball that sits 92-95 and touches 97. He has impressive grades on his 1-7 curve and his change, both of which rate as plus and potential double-plus pitches. His slider has a short break, but it’s a tight break with excellent location, giving Gore the chance to have four plus pitches.

There are few lefties who have stuff to match Gore in both premium quality stuff and control of that stuff both. He’s already one of the top pitching prospects in the game, and he could find his way to the San Diego Padres rotation sooner rather than later. He’ll have his first full-season assignment in 2018, and he could work through both A-ball levels on the season.

1. Fernando Tatis, Jr., SS

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/2/1999 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, AA San Antonio Missions
2017 Stats: .278/.379/.498, 575 PA, 22 HR, 32 SB, 77/141 BB/K

Info: Tatis was a prospect who split scouts because of what was perceived as a long swing and a frame that wouldn’t project well. The San Diego Padres were very interested but lost out to the White Sox, and they made Tatis the focus of what they wanted from the ChiSox when they traded James Shields in 2016.

Tatis was one of the most explosive players in all of the minor leagues (in 2017)

Tatis grew multiple inches in his frame and added about 20-30 pounds of strength by the time he appeared for the Padres. His 2017 season showed how much that added size impacted his performance as Tatis was one of the most explosive players in all of the minor leagues.

Tatis has a ridiculous amount of bat speed, and while his swing can get long, he has plus power and shows an excellent amount of strike zone recognition. He pairs all that with above-average speed that he works even better due to good instincts on the bases, taking plenty of extra bases and stealing bases that his raw speed wouldn’t indicate he should be able to get.

Currently, Tatis works at shortstop, with his baseball acumen allowing him to overcome average range along with a plus arm and good hands. He could end up moving to third base down the line, where he would likely be a plus defender.

Jumping all the way to AA in 2017 puts Tatis on the fast track to a spot in the San Diego Padres lineup. He will be in the upper minors this season and could take over a starting job for sure in 2019, if not by the end of this season.

Next: Newcomer to watch

2017 Acquisition: Sam Keating, RHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/31/1998 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: Arizona Rookie League Padres
2017 Stats: 7 GS, 18 1/3 IP, 6.87 ERA, 2.02 WHIP, 5.5% BB, 17.6% K

Info: Built with a long-limbed frame and projection, Keating took a step forward in his performance as he filled in some of that frame this spring, but he has plenty yet to go, which is why the San Diego Padres grabbed the Florida prep righty in the 4th round of the June draft.

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Keating won’t likely make the top 30 of the Padres on many rankings, but that has less to do with his skill level than it does with the tremendous depth in the San Diego Padres system. He certainly didn’t put up amazing numbers in his pro debut, but there were certainly signs that indicated that this is a guy to follow going forward.

Working with a four pitch mix, Keating isn’t a big velocity guy, with a fastball sitting in the low-90s and touching 94-95. He has two very solid breaking pitches, both of which flash plus grades. His curve has a looping break and comes in in the upper 70s, while his slider has a late, sharp break and runs in the mid-80s. His change is his least-used pitch currently, but he gets excellent late movement low in the zone on the pitch when he does use it.

Currently, Keating is growing into his frame, and as he grows, he takes some time to adapt his new size to his delivery, losing his command/control for a bit on the mound until he becomes more comfortable again. He added strength in coming into the Padres organization, and while he was able to keep the ball in the zone, as evidenced by his low walk rate, he struggled to locate pitches exactly where he wanted them, leading to some hanging pitches that were hit fairly hard.

The San Diego Padres will likely work to build up Keating’s arm strength and hope to coax another couple ticks of velocity out of a pro conditioning and strength program along with a throwing program. He will likely open 2018 in extended spring and head out to a short-season league from there, but could end up in low-A by the end of the year.

Next: CTTP's Top 150 prospects

So that is the San Diego Padres top 10 prospects for 2018. Who is too high? Too low? Missing entirely from the list? Comment below!!