San Diego Padres AM Talk: OF Jacob Scavuzzo Appears To Have Signed

The San Diego Padres appear to be adding to their minor league outfield depth with a free agent signing.

While the move has not been made official by the San Diego Padres, it appears that the organization will be adding to their upper-minor league outfield depth by signing former Los Angeles Dodgers minor leaguer Jacob Scavuzzo.

Per his Instagram page, which was shared by MLB writer J.P. Hoornstra, Scavuzzo says that he will be signing with the Padres. Scavuzzo is coming off a successful season which he split between the AA Tulsa Drillers and AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers.

In 111 games between the two levels, Scavuzzo hit .258 with a .310 on-base percentage and an .833 OPS. He added 26 home runs and 26 doubles with 12 stolen bases (caught stealing just once).

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In a report on the Dodgers farm system back in May, Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs listed Scavuzzo as a “flier with big pop.” “Scavuzzo is back in Double-A for a third straight year due to strikeout issues caused by lack of plate discipline and lever length” writes Longenhagen in the piece. In 624 career minor league games, he has struck out 599 times, drawing just 152 walks in that same time period. During his brief time in AAA last season, he struck out 20 times in 50 at-bats.

Scavuzzo’s biggest asset is his power. In a report published by 2080ball.com, they give Scavuzzo a 55 raw power grade (60 future value ) with an overall future value grade of 45 (major league bench player). While his primary position is outfield, the scouting report believes he is a backup corner outfielder and backup first baseman at the major league level, due to lack of pure speed and average route running and arm strength.

The soon-to-be 25-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder seems to be a solid depth addition to the roster and someone who could eventually find himself playing a few games with the Padres at the major league level, as long as he can finally limit his high strikeout rate.

We’re now only a few days away from the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings so stay tuned for what is sure to be an exciting time period for the San Diego Padres.