San Diego Padres top ten prospects for 2020

Even with several top prospects graduating to the majors last year, the San Diego Padres still have an impressive farm system.

If a team is going to rebuild through the farm system without tanking for the top picks in the draft, the San Diego Padres may well be the model franchise. After their decision to go all in backfired in 2015, the Padres sold off most of their major league assets while identifying those players that could be a part of the future.

That extended into free agency. Yes, the Padres were rebuilding, but they also spent money in free agency when they felt the right fit was available. Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado were surprising additions, but each was signed to a long term contract with the thought that they would be a key part of the Padres next window of contention. But the prospects needed to develop.

Some of the fruits of the farm system have already come to San Diego. Chris Paddack is emerging as a top of the rotation starter. Fernando Tatis Jr.is a star in the making. The Padres are starting to emerge, but are still a year or two away as they await more reinforcements, either in free agency or from the minors.

Let’s take a look at some of those players that could be a key part of the San Diego Padres run over the next few years.

10. Hudson Potts

MInors (RK, AA): 461 plate appearances, .240/.302/.423, 17 homers, 24 doubles, 32 walks, 131 strikeouts

There is no questioning the power that Hudson Potts possesses.

Selected by the San Diego Padres with the 24th overall selection in the 2016 MLB Draft, Potts was considered to be an intriguing power prospect out of high school. Although he hit just one home run as a professional that season, he broke out the following year, belting 20 homers in the Midwest League in 2017. That power stroke has continued as Potts climbed up the Padres farm system.

Potts profile really has not changed much since. His power is considered to be his best tool, and could lead to his being a perennial 30 home run threat in the majors. He has a quick bat, and hits the ball hard when he does make contact. However, there is a lot of swing and miss in his game as well, as Potts has a tendency to miss in the zone.

While he certainly has the arm to stick at third, there are questions as to what the future holds for him defensively. Manny Machado is locked in at the hot corner, and while he was originally a shortstop when drafted, Fernando Tatis Jr. has made that position his own as well. For now, the Padres are giving him some time at second, but Potts could end up being a trade candidate down the line.

Hudson Potts is an intriguing prospect due to his power bat. He just may not have a future with the San Diego Padres.

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.

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.

6. Adrian Morejon

Minors (AA): 36 innings, 4.25 ERA, 1.222 WHiP, 15 walks, 44 strikeouts

Majors: 8 innings, 10.13 ERA, 2.250 WHiP, three walks, nine strikeouts

Although the San Diego Padres were cautious with Adrian Morejon last season, he still managed to make his major league debut.

Morejon was a top pitching prospect with various Cuban national teams before defecting. The day after he was officially made a free agent, the Padres signed him for a team record $11 million bonus. He has rewarded that faith with his impressive results when he has been able to set foot on the mound, which has been the major hurdle to his development.

When healthy, Morejon has an impressive four pitch arsenal that he commands well. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, and can touch the upper portion of that quadrant. His curve has excellent break, and is considered another plus offering. Morejon also throws two different changeups – a standard change and a knucklechange. Both are considered to be above average, but that second changeup is one of the more interesting weapons in the game.

Theoretically, Morejon profiles as a middle of the rotation arm with the upside to be a solid second starter. The issue is that he has had a litany of injury issues, which have not only hindered his development, but could end up leading to a move to the bullpen. The talent is there with Morejon, but can his body hold up?

That is the $11 million question for the San Diego Padres. The 2020 campaign may go a long way in making that determination.

5. CJ Abrams

Minors (RK, A): 165 plate appearances, .393/.436/.647, three homers, 13 doubles, 15 steals, 11 walks, 14 strikeouts

It did not take long for CJ Abrams to make an impression.

Taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Abrams began his time in the San Diego Padres organization in the Arizona Rookie League, and just eviscerated the competition. He ended the year with a two game stint in the Midwest League, where the then 18 year old held his own, getting two hits and a walk in nine plate appearances.

It is easy to get excited about Abrams’ future. He possesses incredible speed, allowing him to beat infield grounders and bunts for hits, while making him a dynamic player on the basepaths. Abrams augments that speed with excellent bat control, making consistent contact and using all fields. He has a quick bat as well, and could eventually develop into a double digit home run hitter in the majors.

However, the biggest question is where Abrams eventually makes his home on defense. While he has the arm for short, he does not appear to have the instincts to remain there. It is possible that he ends up at second on in center, where his speed will be an asset.

Although it is still early in his career, it is easy to get excited about CJ Abrams. The San Diego Padres may have their leadoff hitter for the future.

4. Michel Baez

Minors (AA): 27 innings, 2.00 ERA, 1.222 WHiP, 11 walks, 38 strikeouts

Majors: 29.2 innings, 3.03 ERA, 1.315 WHiP, 14 walks, 28 strikeouts

A starter through 2018, Michel Baez may see his future as a part of the San Diego Padres bullpen.

Another Cuban pitcher signed as part of the Padres pool shattering signing spree in 2016, Baez was a relative unknown when he signed for a $3 million bonus. He began his minor league career as a starter over his first two seasons, but may have found his place for the future in 2019, when the Padres transitioned him to a bullpen role in AA.

Baez does have the type of arsenal that could work as a starter. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, and can touch 98 MPH. Thrown from a three quarters arm slot, the fastball also has decent movement, which he pairs well with his slider. That slider may be his best offering, a wipeout pitch that he can use to generate strikeouts with its two plane movement. He also throws a curve and a change, both of which flash as above average offerings.

Understandably, given his solid four pitch arsenal, the Padres still regard Baez as a future starter. However, given his imposing 6’8″ 220 pound frame, as well as his relatively funky delivery, Baez could end up as a weapon in the bullpen. His fastball/slider combination could be deadly in the later innings, making him a possible closer of the future.

Michel Baez has already made his presence felt with the San Diego Padres. While he is in the bullpen for now, his future has yet to be determined; however, if he dominates in relief, he could be their long term answer at closer.

3. Taylor Trammell

Minors (AA): 514 plate appearances, .234/.340/.349, ten homers, 12 doubles, 20 steals, 67 walks, 122 strikeouts

AA is considered a proving ground for prospects. For Taylor Trammell, it was a roadblock in 2019.

Selected with the 36th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Trammell worked his way through the Reds system, slowly climbing the ladder as he spent a year at each level. He had established himself as a consensus top 100 prospect, until hitting the wall in the Southern League. Nonetheless, he was considered the prize for the San Diego Padres in the three team swap that sent Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati.

The tools are still there with Trammell. He has a natural, fluid swing that generates plenty of power as he drives the ball. Trammell has a strong eye for the zone, and solid contact skills. His speed not only plays on the basepaths, where he can be a stolen base threat at any time, but also in the outfield.

Nonetheless, the 2020 campaign may well determine Trammell’s future. Plenty of prospects dominated in the lower minors, only to hit that wall at AA. It is a level where prospects are made or broken. Given Trammell’s performance last season, a return to AA would appear to be in the cards. This time, he will need to show that he can handle the increased challenge.

Taylor Trammell is still one of the top prospects in the game. However, he may be coming to a reckoning in the upcoming season.

2. Luis Patino

Minors (A+, AA)

Luis Patino may have been overlooked when he signed with the San Diego Padres, but that is no longer the case.

A part of the Padres impressive 2016 international spending spree, Patino did not garner the type of attention that was lavished upon Adrian Morejon and Michael Baez. In fact, he was a shortstop that would make occasional forays to the mound before the Padres turned him into a full time pitcher. Now, he may be the best prospect out of that group.

An impressively athletic specimen on the mound, Patino has a solid four pitch mix that he uses with great effect. His fastball easily sits in the mid 90s with late movement, and has topped out at 98 MPH. He has a power slider that sits in the upper 80s and is a true strikeout pitch. Patino flashes a plus curve, which could be the key to his development. He also has the vestiges of a changeup, but is already showing an ability to improve the offering.

An incredibly intelligent youngster, he has proven that he can take coaching and quickly apply it to the mound. Patino has begun varying his windup to mess with hitter’s timing, and has an advanced feel for his stuff. His attitude and infectious personality are bound to make him a fan favorite.

Even though Luis Patino barely made a ripple when signed, he could prove to be the best prospect from the Padres splurges that offseason.

1. MacKenzie Gore

Minors (A+, AA): 101 innings, 9-2 record, 1.69 ERA, 0.832 WHiP, 28 walks, 135 strikeouts

A consensus top 30 prospect for each of the past two seasons, MacKenzie Gore is now in the conversation as one of the top prospects in the game.

Selected by the San Diego Padres with the third overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft, Gore quickly made his presence felt in the minors. The Gatorade National Player of the Year, he dominated from the beginning, although he had issues with his fingernails and blisters over his first two professional seasons.

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When he is on, there is no questioning Gore’s pure stuff. His fastball easily sits in the mid 90s, and has been clocked at up to 97 MPH. His curve may be his best secondary offering, as it has plenty of movement and works as a true strikeout pitch. He also throws a hard slider that sits in the low 80s, which should improve as his blister issues get further behind him. Gore rounds out his arsenal with a tumbling changeup that drops in the zone, and flashes the potential to be an above average offering. He has an excellent feel for his arsenal, and can throw any of his pitches for a strike regardless of the count.

Those blister issues are the biggest question mark. If he proves to be past those problems, Gore has the ceiling of a true top of the rotation ace, the type of pitcher that every team dreams of. At the very least, he is a solid middle of the rotation starter, with the potential to be far more when healthy.

The San Diego Padres have an abundance of riches in the minors. MacKenzie Gore is just the latest jewel in a loaded system.