San Diego Padres Prospect Franmil Reyes Keeps Raking

Who is Franmil Reyes and how do we get him in a San Diego Padres uniform on Opening Day? After his breakout season in Double-A San Antonio, the Friars have another power-hitting outfielder to look forward to making his debut soon.

The San Diego Padres have themselves yet another slugging outfield prospect to add to their ever-growing stash of them. Twenty-two-year-old Franmil Reyes has been knocking the cover off of the ball this spring. That’s got fans wondering where the Pads could stick Reyes once he’s really ready for primetime.

That time could end up coming much sooner than anyone, especially the Padres’ front-office, could have expected. Since signing Reyes as a 16-year-old out of Palenque, DR, he’s made his way through the Friars’ farm system, gradually transforming into the player we’ve seen crushing balls in the Cactus League this spring.

Reyes launched a ball over the left-centerfield fence yesterday and then smashed another (this one an opposite-field shot) in the 9th inning today. Over his time in the Padres’ minor league system, Reyes has shown more power potential with each passing season.

Look at his first full season in MiLB and tell me that anyone could have predicted the levels he’s taken his game to just five years later. Though his average may have taken a hit as he became more focused on hitting for power, the upside of Reyes transforming his swing leave is more than apparent.

Don’t be shocked if we see Franmil Reyes with the Padres this September

If Reyes can continue to smash his way through the San Diego Padres’ system, it could make for a very entertaining outfield competition in Peoria next spring. In all likelihood, we’ll see Franmil Reyes begin this season at Triple-A El Paso.

Reyes’ big bat should play very well in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. It shouldn’t surprise anyone to see him get called up to the big club come September. The 6’5″ 22-year-old could be a potent offensive weapon coming off of the bench, even if there’s no outfield spot for him, especially if the Padres find themselves in a playoff race.

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Could you just imagine the look on any NL reliever’s face with the gargantuan Franmil Reyes walking into the batter’s box with the wild-card clinching runner on third base for the San Diego Padres?

I know, after watching Reyes absolutely mash the ball so far this spring, what my face would look like seeing him come up in that spot.