San Diego Padres: Top 30 Prospects

After much research on the minor leagues in the San Diego Padres organization, the following is my rankings of the system’s top 30 prospects.

The Padres organizational depth is as far-reaching as it has ever been. Although some prospects are easier than others to predict and are on some of the other highly touted publications out there, this version will offer a somewhat different perspective.

Instead you will see more of who will hopefully make it to the majors one day. It will include more relief pitchers on this list than most publications do, since they’re chances of climbing to the top of the organization are greatest, since clubs go through a lot of relievers.

Three names on this list have recently found their dreams of playing in the bigs coming true, including Franchy Cordero, Phil Maton, and Carlos Asuaje.

The only thing negative about this list is that most of the prospects are at the lower levels.

I will list the player name, the position or positions he could make an impact at, the minor league affiliate he now plays with and what I believe his ETA (estimated time of arrival) to the majors is.

With that being said, here is my inaugural San Diego Padres top 30 prospects list.

1) Luis Urias, AA San Antonio Missions, SS/2B, ETA 2018. Best pure hitter in the system. Texas league All Star.

2) MacKenzie Gore, Arizona Rookie League, LH SP, ETA 2020-21. Padres 1st Round pick in 2017 draft.

3) Joey Lucchesi, AA San Antonio Missions, LH SP, ETA 2018-19. Having a wonderful full season debut. Cal league strikeout leader and All Star. Promoted to AA San Antonio Missions.

4) Fernando Tatis Jr., A- Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, SS/3B, ETA 2019-20. Acquired in the James Shields deal with the White Sox. Midwest League All Star.

5) Michel Baez, A-Ft Wayne Tin Caps, RH SP, ETA 2019-20. 3-0 with a sub 2.00 in his first four pro starts at low A ball.

6) Eric Lauer, AA San Antonio Missions, LH SP, ETA 2018. Tom Glavine comparisons. Cal league ERA leader and All Star. Promoted to AA San Antonio Missions.

7) Cal Quantrill, AA San Antonio Missions, RH SP, ETA 2018. Son of former major league pitcher Paul Quantrill. Cal league All Star. Futures game participant. Promoted to San Antonio Missions.

8) Franchy Cordero, AAA El Paso Chihuahuas, CF, ETA 2017-18. Two hits in his first big league start. Hitting over .300 Back with El Paso.

9) Logan Allen, A+ Lake Elsinore Storm, LH SP, ETA 2019. Dominating the midwest league. Midwest League All Star. Promoted to Lake Elsinore high A+ ball.

10) Josh Naylor, AA San Antonio Missions, 1B, ETA 2018-19. He was putting it together in his 2nd stint in the Cal league. Cal league All Star. Futures games participant. Promoted to AA San Antonio Missions.

11) Adrian Morejon, A- Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, LH SP, ETA 2019-20. The jewel of the 2016-17 international class for the Padres. Promoted to Ft. Wayne while writing this article.

12) Anderson Espinoza, A+ Lake Elsinore Storm, RH SP, ETA 2018-19. Would be much higher if it weren’t for the injuries. Could miss the entire 2017 season.

13) Chris Paddack, A- Ft. Wayne Tin Caps, RH SP, ETA 2019-20. Video game type numbers before getting hurt last year.

14) Carlos Asuaje, San Diego Padres , 2B/3B, ETA 2017. Was blocked at the major league level from receiving a chance to contribute until Yangervis Solarte injury. Playing everyday. Hitting over .300

15) Austin Allen, A+ Lake Elsinore Storm, C, ETA 2019. Best catching prospect in the organization. Big bat could help him move quick.

16) Jorge Ona, A- Ft.Wayne Tin Caps, RF, ETA 2019-20. Showing very well in his stateside season debut. Midwest league All Star.

17) Luis Campusano, Arizona Rookie League, C, ETA 2020-21. Padres 2nd round pick in 2017 draft.

18) Phil Maton, San Diego Padres, RH RP, ETA 2017-18. Moved up three levels in 2016. On the big league club. Has been steady lately after a blazing start.

19) Brett Kennedy, AA San Antonio Missions, RH SP, ETA 2018-19. Leading the staff in wins for the first half champs.

20) Michael Kelly, AAA El Paso Chihuahuas, RH SP, ETA 2018. Former 1st rounder coming into his own. Texas League All Star. Promoted to AAA El Paso.

21) Enyel De Los Santos, AA San Antonio Missions, RH SP, ETA 2018-19. Acquired for Joaquin Benoit. Has been lights out lately.

22) Christian Villanueva, AAA EL Paso Chihuahuas, 3B/1B, ETA 2017-18. Organizations best 3B prospect. Having a resurgent year for El Paso.

23) Trey Wingenter, AA San Antonio Missions, RH RP, ETA 2018-19. Having a great year as the Closer for the Missions.

24) Eric Yardley, AA San Antonio Missions, RH RP, ETA 2018-19. Submariner has been dominant out of the Missions pen.

25) T.J. Weir, AA San Antonio Missions, RH RP, ETA 2018-19, another force for the Missions.

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26) Michael Gettys, A+ Lake Elsinore Storm, CF, ETA 2019. Very toolsy player, having a solid not spectacular season. Currently on the DL.

27) Kyle McGrath, AA San Antonio Missions, LH RP, ETA 2018-19. Has a career ERA under 2.00.

28) Jacob Nix, A+ Lake Elsinore Storm, RH SP, ETA 2019-20. 3rd Round pick in 2015 draft. Mixed results through first tour of the hitter friendly Cal league.

29) Franmil Reyes, AA San Antonio Missions, RF, ETA 2018-19. Leads the team in Home Runs and Runs Batted In.

30) Esteury Ruiz, Arizona Rookie League, 2B, ETA 2020-21. Anyone who hits over .400 deserves to be on this list.

Next: Evaluating Friars trade with Kansas City

And there you have it Padre fans, my inaugural Top 30 prospects list. Please give me your thoughts and opinions on this list. I definitely would like the feedback.

After much research on the minor leagues in the San Diego Padres organization, the following is my rankings of the system’s top 30 prospects.

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