San Diego Padres: Three Things To Make The Season Watchable

Bring up another top prospect, catcher Francisco Mejia.

While the San Diego Padres didn’t make a move on Tuesday, trade deadline day, they did acquire the best catching prospect in Major League Baseball, Francisco Mejia. Fangraphs agrees, ranking Mejia as the top prospect overall to be moved at the deadline, despite significant questions as to what position he plays and what type of player he winds up developing into.

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The hit tool is there, hitting .297 in Double-A last season and .279 in AAA this year. The Indians gave him 11 games in the big leagues last season and had called him up earlier this season for a game, attempting to have him play in their depleted outfield and provide depth at the catching position after injuries began to pile up. Can’t really tell anything from 15 pro-at-bats, though.

Since joining El Paso, he’s logged six hits in six games (including one double) with three walks. An injury concern delayed his debut with the Chihuahuas but he hasn’t disappointed since joining the team.

There are hurdles to making this move before the September roster expansion. A.J. Ellis is playing very good baseball and all reports from the clubhouse indicate that he is a tremendous asset to the organization. It’s surprising that he wasn’t moved at the deadline, not that he would bring back anything in return, but you have to believe that Ellis would have been a good fit for the Yankees. He could still be an August trade candidate, especially if any more major injuries occur over the final two months of the season.

Austin Hedges is also playing very well. He’s hitting .300 over his last 15 games and looks as if he’s more comfortable at the plate but we all know his production could suddenly drop so let’s wait and see.

There’s also the debate over what is more beneficial, everyday at-bats in AAA or two-three games a week at the major league level? The Indians believed he was major league ready, so let’s see what he can do at Petco.

Hang in there, Padres fans. The schedule across the month of August looks brutal, however, maybe we see some young guys finally get their call to the big leagues?