San Diego Padres top ten prospects for 2020
By David Hill
8. Ryan Weathers
Minors (A): 96 innings, 3-7 record, 3.84 ERA, 1.240 WHiP, 18 walks, 90 strikeouts
The son of former major leaguer David Weathers, Ryan Weathers has a chance to blaze his own path with the San Diego Padres.
Named the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, Weathers became the second consecutive player to earn those honors who was drafted by the Padres. Selected with the seventh overall pick, Weathers ended the season in the Midwest League, which he repeated in 2019.
Overall, Weathers is a solid pitcher. He has a fastball that sits in the lower 90s, but has a high spin rate that allows the pitch to play beyond its velocity. His curve has solid depth, and he can throw the pitch for strikes. Weathers also has a decent changeup, with an advanced feel for the offering for a teenager. He commands his arsenal well, and can throw all three pitches for strikes at any time.
The biggest issue facing Weathers is that he lacks a true out pitch. All of his offerings are average or slightly better, but nothing in his arsenal is a real plus pitch. With his feel for his stuff and pitching, Weathers is likely to continue to climb the Padres ladder, but is likely to end up as a back of the rotation option in the future.
Ryan Weathers could have a future with the San Diego Padres. However, without a single standout offering, he could end up being overlooked as well.