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San Diego Padres: Update On The System’s Top Pitching Prospects

By Jose Palomo

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Baseballs and a bat sit on the field of the Miami Marlins during a team workout on February 23, 2016 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Baseballs and a bat sit on the field of the Miami Marlins during a team workout on February 23, 2016 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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San Diego Padres
SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 3: San Diego Padres manager Andy Green talks with Ron Fowler, Executive Chairman of the San Diego Padres, before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at PETCO Park on April 3, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Adrian Morejon No. 3 (Previous Rank No. 4) Padres Pitching Prospect, ETA 2020 Age: 19

After having a very successful amateur career pitching Cuba, the Padres signed Adrian Morejon for a franchise-record $11 million in 2016.

Morejon certainly has the ability to live up to his big bonus due to the fact all of his pitches project to be above-average. His fastball already sits at 96 MPH and with only being 6’0″ ft, 175 pounds, there is still room to grow physically.

Morejon is a left-handed pitcher who possess three above-average pitches, mid-90’s fastball, straight change-up, and a curve. In High-A this year, Morejon has taken a step forward in his development. This was his second full year pitching in pro-ball and definitely has proved he deserves to be apart of the Padres’ starting rotation of the future.

Throughout thirteen starts this year, Morejon has pitched 62 innings and has put up a 3.30 ERA. He continues to take command of the strike zone which is always a plus with a 19-year-old pitcher. Morejon’s WHIP this year sits at 1.24 and has only allowed 24 walks.

He was recently placed on the disabled list with a tricep issue and will be severely limited over the final few weeks of the regular season.

Chris Paddack No. 2 Padres Pitching Prospect, ETA Mid-2019, Age: 22

Chris Paddack has certainly been the surprise pitcher this year in the Padres’ system. Acquired by Miami in 2016 via the Fernando Rodney trade, Paddack has put all concerns about his health in the rear-view mirror.  Paddack missed the entire 2017 season due to having Tommy John surgery.

Regardless of whether he’s pitching in either High-A or AA, Paddack has assuredly made his presence felt. Across 85 innings, his K/BB ratio reads 114/7. Yes, seven walks!

Paddack doesn’t dance around hitters and his bulldog mentality should allow him to continue to shoot up the minor league system. In nine starts this year Paddack holds an ERA of 1.91, a dominating WHIP of 0.76, and is averaging 12.1 Ks/9.

Paddack recently earned a promotion to AA and if he continues this domination, he could throw himself into the hat of names that could earn a spot in the starting rotation for 2019.

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