San Diego Padres: Top 30 Prospects End Of Season Update

More top-ten worthy talent rounds out the top 30 list of San Diego Padres top prospects.

16) Ryan Weathers. LH-SP, -A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021-22 (NR). The San Diego Padres number one draft pick in the 2018 draft this past June. Weathers is the son of former major league relief pitcher David Weathers and like Gore last year, was the National Gatorade High School player of the year. He has already been promoted to full-season ball. Looking forward to his full-season debut next year.

17) Austin Allen. C/1B, AA-San Antonio Missions, ETA 2019-20 (15). With the addition of Mejia, the front office has a very tough choice to make this off-season about Allen. He’s eligible for the rule 5 draft, but do they take the risk and leave him unprotected or add him to the 40-man. Thirty double, 20 home run catchers don’t grow on trees, so this will be a very important decision this coming hot stove season.

18) Hudson Potts, 3B, AA-San Antonio Missions, ETA 2020-21 (19). Another 20 homer season isn’t out of the question for this recently promoted, former number one draft pick. His numbers are better overall this season but has struggled to hit Double-A pitching to this point. Since his numbers are similar to last season, you have to wonder if there is more to grow or is this his ceiling.

19) Buddy Reed. OF, AA San Antonio Missions, ETA 2020-21 (NR). Another one of the many recently promoted prospects, Reed has looked the total opposite of the player who was having an MVP caliber season in Lake Elsinore. Not really sure which player he is, the former or latter.

20) Brett Kennedy. RH-SP, San Diego Padres, ETA 2018-19 (16). Recently promoted to the big league club after a dominant year in Triple-A in which he was 10-0 with an ERA of 2.72. Kennedy is yet another Rule-5 eligible player whose fate will more than likely be determined based upon what he does over his last few starts the rest of this year.

21) Edward Olivares. CF, +A Lake Elsinore Storm, ETA 2020-21 (23). Tell me if you’ve heard this before, eligible for the Rule-5 draft, Olivares must also be added to the 40-man or risk being stolen by another franchise this off-season. Acquired before the season from the Blue Jays for Yangervis Solarte, his speed-power combo is intriguing but is he worth a 40-man spot being so far from the majors?

22) Owen Miller. SS/2B, -A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021-22 (NR). The San Diego Padres third-round draft pick in June, Miller is also a recent recipient of a promotion to full-season ball. Has done nothing but crush pitching at both levels so far. A .384 hitter this year in college, he has continued right where he left off, hitting .340 combined for the two stops of pro ball.

23) Esteury Ruiz. 2B, -A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021-22 (20). His speed-power combo rival anyone in the system, but a hundred point drop off in batting average is of concern. Has a whopping 43 stolen bases too. His continued development will be something to keep a close eye on next season. If he regains his form from rookie ball where he was an MVP last year, he could move quickly through the minor leagues.

24) Luis Campusano. C, -A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021-22 (29). The San Diego Padres second round pick in 2017 was having a solid season both at the plate as well as behind it before being put on the disabled list. With three catchers in front of him in the minor league pecking order, the Friars can afford to take their time with his development. Hopefully makes it back before the season is over.

25) Nick Margevicius. LH-SP, +A Lake Elsinore Storm, ETA 2020-21 (28). The strength of the Friars system is in its deep and rich pitching prospects, left-handed pitching in particular. He is at least number six in that order if you base it off this list alone. Yet another pitcher who received a promotion this year, Margevicius has pitched better of late after a tough stretch after his promotion.

26) Robbie Podorsky. LF, -A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021-22 (NR). Not ranked on the mid-season list because he started his season late due to an injury. All Podorsky did after returning was hit the ball to the tune of an average of.366 before yet another trip to the disabled. Has also stolen 23 bags. A difference maker and table setter when healthy, let’s hope the injury bug is the exception and not the rule.

27) Xavier Edwards. SS, Short Season Tri-City Dust Devils, ETA 2022-23 (NR). Essentially a first-round talent, the San Diego Padres selected Edwards in the competitive round A of the June draft. A flashy switch-hitter who has more walks than strikeouts, he too has already been bumped up a level from rookie ball where he was hitting .384. Has hit .286 in short season ball as of this article. Already has 20 stolen bases while being caught just once so far.

28) Tirso Ornelas. RF, -A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021-22, (28). Was having a very solid year before a disabled list stint. A member of the vaunted international signing class of 2016-17, Ornelas has good power combined with a high walk rate. His batting average is a bit low but playing full-season ball under the age of twenty in the Midwest League is an accomplishment in itself.

29) Jeisson Rosario. CF, -Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021-22 (29) Another international signing of that same 2016-17 class. Rosario, although similar in age to Ornelas, has an entirely different skill set. His skills on paper are that of a table setter and base stealer. He is also a plus defender in centerfield. If he grows into his frame a little more could become more of an extra-base threat.

30) Ty France. 3B, AAA-El Paso Chihuahuas, ETA 2019-20 (NR). You won’t see France on any other list, but I’ve added him as the last player on this list due to the surprising year he’s had to this point. Has tapped into his power potential this year and is on pace for at least a 20 homer 90 RBI campaign. Has a solid batting average of .281 since his promotion to El Paso. Another Rule-5 guy this off-season, he could be unprotected like Franmil Reyes was last year.

One thing is for sure Friar faithful, the future is bright like a diamond for the San Diego Padres franchise. Let’s just hope the diamond in San Diego is where we see these players.