Ranking The Padres Top 20 Prospects: Numbers 20-16

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#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.

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Out of the prospects #20-16 I am most excited for Mallex Smith. Petco Park was built for players with speed both offensively and defensively. Hopefully he continues to hit and doesn’t become the second coming of Cameron Maybin.

Keep the Faith.