Padres Top Minor League Prospects #s 20-16

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Mandatory Credit: El Paso Times.

The Padres have had an exceptional second half this far. They have far exceeded their expected output and have received some swagger from the likes of Yangervis Solarte and Rymer Liriano. Could this be due to the complete lack of expectations for the Padres? Could this be due to trying to show off for A.J. Preller the new general manager? Either way, don’t fall for the illusion of grandeur, or potentially making the playoffs.

The Padres have an exciting future. They have a strong farm system and should start seeing the benefits of great scouting and developments as early as next year. We here at Friars on Base have put together our top 20 Padres prospects. We are excited about the talent the Padres have, and look forward to cheering for them for years to come.

We will reveal our list of prospects in a series of articles starting today with prospects #20-16.

Mandatory Credit: thebaseballhaven.mlblogs.com

#20. Burch Smith

As they say third time is a charm. After being drafted two times previous by the Indians in 2009 and 2012, Smith finally decided to become a professional after being drafted by the Padres in the 14^th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. After not being highly scouted out of high school Smith played his first two years of colligate baseball at Howard College before playing his junior season at the University of Oklahoma.

In his first full professional season, Smith posted a 3.85 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts in 128.2 innings pitched causing him to be ranked the Padres #22 top prospect. After starting the 2012 season at Double-A San Antonio, Smith was named pitcher of the month for April and by May, 11^th he was making his Major League debut. Whether it was the jitters or needing more time in the minors, Smith didn’t make it out of the inning outing unscathed, giving up 6 earned run on 5 hits and 2 walks in 1+ innings.

Smith sports a powerful fastball averaging between 92-96 mph. However, Smith lacks any plus secondary pitches. This lack of secondary pitches does project well for him to be a successful starting pitcher in the Major Leagues. While having a 96 mph fastball is great, having no alternative pitches makes it easy for opposing batters to just sit on the fastball.

If he doesn’t develop stronger secondary pitches, Smith could capitalize on his velocity by converting to the bullpen. Smith could be a great late inning bullpen arm providing great value for the Padres in the future.

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.

Mandatory Credit: milb.com

#18. Dustin Peterson

Dustin Peterson was drafted in the 2^nd round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Gilber HS (Gilbert, AZ). Peterson’s is the younger brother of D.J. Peterson who was chosen 12^th overall in the same year by the Seattle Mariners

Peterson has spent his first full season at Single-A Fort Wayne where he owns a triple slash line of .238/.280/.369. His scouting report has him with possessing quick hands, above-average bat speed, and keeps the bat head in the zone for an extended period of time. He will continue to progress at the plate as he is only 19-years-old and will mature physically. However, he does lack on the defensive side of the ball; he has already been moved from shortstop to third base. He has the power, bat speed, and the long golden locks to be Khalil Greene 2.0.

I project Peterson to evolve into a player that can be a hitter to hit in the 6 spot that can drive in runs and put together strong at bats and be a strong supporting player.

#17. Michael Gettys

Michael Gettys was the Padres second round pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Drafted out of Gainesville HS (Gainesville, GA). He comes to the Padres as a highly athletic, yet raw player. His scouting profile ranks many tools as plus plus e.g. speed, defense, and arm. So why did he fall to the second round? Great question…Gettys’ bat is his major question mark. While he has the potential to be a centerfield speedier version of Jeff Francoeur (during his Braves years), Getty’s needs develop a better approach if he hopes to have success against big league pitching.

Gettys is on this list for the potential of him being a 5-tool player. His bat will determine where his career ultimately takes him. However, being drafted out of high school this is going to be a multi-year development process. The earliest I would expect to see him in the Majors is 2018. As he matures and grows into his body his power will come, but will he be a swing for the fences type like Mark Reynolds or have a more well-rounded approach and become the five tool All-Star he has the potential to be?

Mandatory Credit-MiLB.com

#16. Mallex Smith

Mallex Smith was drafted by the Padres in the 5^th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Santa Fe Community College (Gainesville, FL). In just his second full season as a professional he is already being projected as the next Billy Hamilton. Yes, that Billy Hamilton who stole 155 bases in one season.

Smith has been having a great season at Single-A Lake Elsinore posting a triple slash line of .317/.416/.469. He has 38 stolen bases in 38 attempts and provides exceptionally defense because of his range and speed.

What I like most about Smith is that he owns an OPS of .885. Typically speed first players struggle when it comes to having a high OPS due to the lack of power, but Smith has 5 home runs on the season. He has the speed to turn long singles into doubles and doubles into triples.

Ranking The Padres Top 20 Prospects: Numbers 20-16

Schedule