Ranking The Padres Top 20 Prospects: Numbers 20-16

Mandatory Credit: ut-sandiego.com

#19. Yeison Asencio

Yeison Asencio was signed by the Padres in 2009. At the time, the Padres thought we was “Yohan Alcantara” and only 17, but in 2011 it was revealed that he was Yeison Asencio and actually 20. Three years is a big difference when determining the projection of a top prospect. A 17-year-old still has time to mature and develop physically, but a 20-year-old is fully grown. Despite his identity fraud situation, Asencio has done nothing but hit since signing out of the Dominican Republic. In his 5 years in the minors, he owns a triple slash line of .293/.332/.441. His minor league success had him playing in the 2013 MLB Futures game.

What prevents Asencio from being a top 5 or 10 prospect is his ceiling. He doesn’t possess above average power, or speed, or plate discipline. He is a solid contact hitter with a strong throwing arm. His lack of speed makes him a corner outfielder and the Padres have a lot of outfield prospects that he will have to compete with preventing him from seeing regular time at the Major League level. I believe he projects as a strong fourth outfielder or strong pinch hitter option that provides moderate power off the bench.