San Diego Padres top ten prospects for 2020
By David Hill
9. Hudson Head
Minors (RK): 141 plate appearances, .283/.383/417, one home run, seven doubles, 15 walks, 29 strikeouts
It did not take long for Hudson Head to make an impression.
He was not on the prospect radar until a phenominal senior season at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, but even then, his baseball future was questionable. An ambidextrous quarterback, the school built its offense around his skillset, and he was expected to go to college to pursue his football aspirations. Instead, the San Diego Padres selected Head in the third round, and handed him a record $3 million signing bonus to bring him into their system.
It is easy to see why the Padres went so far above slot to sign Head. A tremendous athlete, he is considered a potential five tool player. As it is, Head has an advanced feel for hitting and a quick bat, but still needs to make some adjustments to his swing mechanics. His plus speed manifests both on the basepaths and in the outfield, where his excellent arm is an asset.
One could also see Head developing into a two way player if the Padres were so inclined. With his plus arm, he has a fastball that sits in the upper 80s, and could see an increase in velocity as his frame fills out. For now, he will focus on developing his offensive game, but it would not be a surprise to see him eventually make an appearance on the mound.
The San Diego Padres have a legitimate five tool prospect in Hudson Head. As long as they remain patient, he could develop into a steal in the third round.