San Diego Padres 2019 top 30 prospects at midseason

30) Steven Wilson, RHP, Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, ETA 2019. (NR)

An eighth-round draft pick of the Padres in 2018, Wilson is already moving up the affiliate ranks fast. After dominating the Cal league with a sub 1.00 ERA in the first half, Wilson has skipped Double-A entirely and is on the fast track to San Diego. If he keeps dominating the way he has, look for him to see some time in the Friars bullpen before the season is finished.

29) Efrain Contreras, RHP, Low-A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2021. (NR)

A part of the 2017 International class, Contreras is showing that despite his age he knows how to pitch. Just 19 years old, he shows good command and poise for someone so young. Even though there are pitchers with a higher pedigree on his own team, he’s showing how deep the pitching in this farm system is.

28) Robbie Podorsky, OF, High-A Lake Elsinore Storm (7-day IL), ETA 2021. (28)

There are other prospects in this system with higher fanfare, but Podorsky keeps producing. A career .328 hitter in the minors through 150 games, he plays to his strengths very well. He gets on base and steals bases. The only knock on him to this point would be his health. On the Injured List now, he also had a lengthy IL stint last season as well.

27) Elliot Ashbeck, RHP, High-A Lake Elsinore Storm, ETA 2020. (NR)

Drafted in the sixteenth round in 2015 as part of General Manager A.J. Preller’s first draft class, all Ashbeck has done is pitch, and pitch well. Mostly used as a reliever throughout his career, he has added three starts to his résumé so far this season. It would not be a surprise at all to see him earn a promotion to Double-A before the season ends.

26) Evan Miller, RHP, Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, ETA 2020. (NR)

Another late-round gem found by the San Diego Padres’ front office (in the 22nd round of the 2016 MLB Draft), Miller put together a dominant performance through the first half of his season at High-A Lake Elsinore. Recently promoted to Amarillo, he could see a late-season call-up to the majors, considering how poorly the big league club has struggled in the pen this season.

25) Travis Radke, LHP, Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, ETA 2019. (NR)

One of the few pre-Preller Era prospects still in the system, Radke is the perfect example of a swing reliever, pitching at three levels of the San Diego Padres organization already this season. Having been in the system since 2014 look for this 24th round draft pick to get a late season call-up as well, especially with the big club lacking left-handed options out of the bullpen.

24) Pedro Avila, RHP, Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, ETA 2019. (NR)

After having a good spring training and one very good start with the Padres, Avila was sent down and would more than likely been a part of the ongoing carousel the rotation has become if it were not getting hurt. He’s currently on the seven-day Injured List, while other prospects have since moved past him and become bigger contributors to San Diego’s future.

23) Esteury Ruiz, 2B, High-A Lake Elsinore Storm, ETA 2021. (27)

His speed and power combo potential are unmatched by few in this deep system. If he develops better plate discipline to match that athleticism, Ruiz could shoot up prospect rankings. Especially hot over his last ten games, sporting a batting line with a .324 average, .432 slugging percentage, and 12 home runs in 37 at-bats. Stretches such as this is what make him so intriguing, but can he be consistently great?

22) Joey Cantillo, LHP, Low-A Fort Wayne Tin Caps, ETA 2020. (NR)

The Padres’ front office must be licking their chops over this sixteenth-round steal from the 2017 MLB Draft. The pick from Hawaii is currently making the Midwest League look like a playground to him, sporting a sub-2.00 ERA. A complete game shutout is among his accomplishments. It would be interesting to see what he could do in High-A if given the opportunity.

21) Trevor Megill, RHP, Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, ETA 2019. (NR)

Another reliever who has bounced between three San Diego Padres affiliates, Megill might be the most dominant of any of the relief options on this list. His 0.72 ERA across 25 innings pitched is a video game-type number. Look for him to get a call-up soon, as the Padres look for better arms to replenish their floundering bullpen.