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

By Benjamin Chase

PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 4: An equipment bag of the San Diego Padres is seen prior to the game against the Seattle Mariners on March 4, 2015 at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona. The Mariners defeated the Padres 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 4: An equipment bag of the San Diego Padres is seen prior to the game against the Seattle Mariners on March 4, 2015 at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona. The Mariners defeated the Padres 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images) /
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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

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