San Diego Padres: Prospects Rise Up Top 100 Board

MLB Pipeline has released their final 2018 update of their Top 100 prospects list. A number of San Diego Padres prospects made big moves on the board.

On Wednesday afternoon, MLB Pipeline released their final update to their Top 100 prospects list for the 2018 season. The San Diego Padres keep 10 players within the top 100, however, a few new names have entered the list, making tremendous jumps after unforgettable 2018 campaigns.

Below are the latest rankings within the top 100, a summary of their 2018 performance, and where we expect to see each player in 2019.

#2) Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.(San Antonio Missions)

You really can’t go wrong in picking between Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Fernando Tatis Jr, but the guys over at MLB Pipeline kept Guerrero in the top spot, giving the 1B spot to Tatis. The 19-year-old appeared in 88 games at the AA level before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He hit .286 with a .355 OBP, 16 home runs, and 22 doubles. Tatis should begin the 2019 season with the El Paso Chihuahuas, pending his performance in winter ball and spring training. There’s an outside chance he makes the Opening Day roster but at 19 years of age, there’s really no rush with the future cornerstone of the franchise.

#13) LHP MacKenzie Gore (Fort Wayne TinCaps)

The second-ranked LHP prospect in baseball had a rough 2018 season after numerous disabled list stints due to blisters. With the TinCaps, Gore went 2-4 with a 4.45 ERA, striking out 74 in 60 innings and issuing just 18 walks. It wasn’t the year fans expected but the teenage flamethrower seemed to be in high spirits at the Don Welke Classic last week and expects to begin his 2019 training in mid-November. Look for Gore to start the year in Fort Wayne for a quick trip, as long as his blister issue is under control.

#26) Catcher Francisco Mejia (San Diego Padres)

Mejia won’t be on this list much longer after making his San Diego Padres debut last month. Mejia provided some memorable moments including his two-home run game and walk-off grand slam, while showcasing his 70-grade arm behind the plate. Ideally, the Padres find at-bats for both Mejia and Austin Hedges next season.

#27) Second baseman Luis Urias (San Diego Padres)

Just like Mejia, don’t expect to see Urias on this list for much longer. He will be the starting second baseman for next year’s team and a regular fixture at the top of the batting lineup.

#35 RHP Chris Paddack (San Antonio Missions)

Outside of Luis Urias and Fernando Tatis, I would bet money that your next favorite Padres prospect is either Luis Patino or Chris Paddack, am I right? Before going under the knife for Tommy John surgery, Paddack put up video game-like numbers within the Miami Marlins organization and during a brief stint on the Padres farm. In his first full season back, Paddack continued those impressive numbers, striking out 120 and walking just 8 across 90 innings between Lake Elsinore and San Antonio. He will have to be placed on the 40-man roster this winter, to avoid being selected in the Rule-5 draft, and is sure to be in the fight for a rotation spot with the Padres (sure to be on an innings limit).

#46 LHP Adrian Morejon (Lake Elsinore Storm)

The season may have ended early for the 19-year-old prospect, however, Morejon still put up impressive numbers in Lake Elsinore, including a 70/24 K/BB ratio in 62 innings of work. Once he refines his delivery and learns to use his entire frame to his advantage, Morejon and his three plus-pitches is sure to be yet another thrilling pitching prospect in a long line of thrilling pitching prospects in the system. Expect to see him back in Lake Elsinore as he works his way back from injury.

#57 RHP Michel Baez (San Antonio Missions)

The 2018 numbers aren’t highly impressive for Baez but his 6’8″ frame and four-pitch mix provides a lot to be excited about. Baez started with the Lake Elsinore Storm, pitching to a 2.91 ERA and striking out 92 in 86 innings before his promotion to AA. WIth the Missions, Baez went 0-3 with a 7.36 ERA. Making the jump from A+ to AA is the hardest adjustment in the minors so there’s no reason to panic, yet. Baez will begin 2019 in AA as he continues to work on his command.

#76 LHP Logan Allen (El Paso Chihuahuas)

Allen doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors, posting a combined 14-6 record, 2.54 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP between San Antonio and El Paso. Outside of a high walk rate (13 BB in 27 innings) in El Paso, Allen dominated at the highest level of the minors, giving up just five earned runs. He should find himself in the Padres starting rotation in 2019.

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#83 RHP Luis Patino (Fort Wayne TinCaps)

This is shocking, but not. Patino is just 18 years old and pitched just 83 innings in low-A ball in 2018. Typically, MLB Pipeline tends to wait on putting prospects like Patino in their Top 100, waiting until they are a little older and in a more advanced league, however, Patino is just too good to pass up. Armed with a 100 mph fastball, Patino struck out 98 hitters and gave up just 65 hits this season, surrendering one home run. That’s it. A brief stint in Lake Elsinore is in his future, but at 18, there’s no rush with him.

#93 LHP Ryan Weathers (Fort Wayne TinCaps)

This year’s first-round pick cracks the list at just 18 years of age and 18 professional innings under his belt. Weathers made seven starts between the Arizona League and Fort Wayne, posting a 3.44 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 18 innings. He has a long way to go and it’s pretty surprising that he’s on this list (also ranked as the 10th best Padres prospect and 10th best LHP pitching prospect), however, I don’t think anyone will complain. Expect Weathers to begin 2019 in Fort Wayne.

One name now missing from this list is Cal Quantrill. The former first-round pick will also be in consideration for a starting rotation spot in 2019, or at least a bullpen role. You can view the entire updated MLB Pipeline list by visiting their site here.