San Diego Padres top ten prospects for 2020
By David Hill
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.