San Diego Padres: mid-season minor league all-stars

With the first half of the MLB season officially in the books for the San Diego Padres, we take a look back at the best of the best in their minor league system through the end of June.

The San Diego Padres’ #1 ranked farm system has been an exciting one to follow. So exciting that we’ve decided to create a 25-man roster of the Padres’ best minor league players so far in 2019.

Although there will be plenty of familiar faces and prospects on this team, it won’t be a list of just prospects – this will include who has had the best statistics through the first half of the minor league season.

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Considering the Padres’ minor league affiliates are all having productive seasons, this wasn’t an easy list to come up with.

Every affiliate in the organization has had their respective leagues’ all-star games this side of Triple-A. That all-star game, and the soon to be Futures Game, are all that’s left for recognizing the best in the minors this year.

So far so good for the minor league teams in the San Diego Padres’ farm, with a total of seventeen players making their respective leagues’ all-star squads, and that is not including players on the Triple-A roster.

Seven players from Amarillo and Lake Elsinore and three from Low-A Fort Wayne have the Friars well represented thus far through the mid-season minor league all-star teams.

Triple-A El Paso will represent its all-star team with three additions, which include second basemen Luis Urias, catcher Austin Allen, and first base/third base option Ty France.

That will bring the total number of players making minor league all-star teams in the San Diego Padres organization to twenty.

Not too bad for the consensus best farm system in all of baseball.

If you add left-hander Adrian Morejon to that list for making the Futures Game, that shows an abundance of talent for this franchise that is being fully recognized.

Our roster will be a full starting lineup, a batting order with a DH, and a bench consisting of a catcher, infielder, utility option, and an outfielder. While the pitching staff will have a five-man starting rotation, a sixth starter will be listed as a spot starter/long man as well as a six-man bullpen with three middle relief options, two set-up men, and a closer.

Are you ready to meet your mid-season 25-man roster of the San Diego Padres minor league all-stars, Friar Faithful?

Bench:

C – Austin Allen   EL Paso Chihuahuas

G     AB     R      H     TB    2B   3B  HR  RBI  BB   SO   SB   AVG   OBP    SLG   OPS

34  131   24    39   77     11    0     9    23   15    30     0   .298   .373   .588  .961

The Padres fourth-round pick in general manager A.J. Preller’s first draft of 2015, Allen has done nothing but hit, sporting a slash line of .290/.352/.470 through his minor league career. That hasn’t changed with his promotion to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this season either. Allen showed well in a brief 42 at-bat cameo with the Friars, and should be among the discussions for another shot when rosters expand in September.

IF – Ivan Castillo  Amarillo Sod Poodles

G     AB     R      H      TB    2B   3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO   SB   AVG   OBP    SLG   OPS

50  209   35   72    110   16    5      4    30   13   30    9   .344   .370    .526  .896

There were other players considered for this spot on the roster, but after going over the numbers, it was hard not to give it to Castillo. Originally it was to go to Esteury Ruiz but you cannot discount what Castillo has done with Amarillo this season. Signed as a minor league free agent in the off-season, it will be interesting to see the path the front office decides to take with this player who is forcing his way to a possible longer term in the system.

Utility – Matthew Batten  EL Paso Chihuahuas

G     AB     R      H     TB   2B   3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO   SB   AVG   OBP    SLG   OPS

63  206   39   65    96   13     3     4    28   19   43    5    .316   .373   .466  .839

Originally drafted by the Padres in the 32nd round of the 2017 draft, Batten is having a career year in his first go-around in the hitter-friendly league with a line of .316/.373/.466. He might not have the highest of ceilings in comparison to others in this deep system, but is proving worthy of a glimpse as a Utility man at the least someday.

OF – Jose Pirela   EL Paso Chihuahuas

G     AB     R     H     TB    2B   3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB   AVG   OBP   SLG   OPS

39  155   33   53   104  10    1    13    43   11  41   0    .342  .388   .671  1.059

Just last year, Pirela was being considered a possible piece to the future of this franchise. What a difference a year makes. Having nothing left to really prove in the minors, Pirela is slashing .342/.388/.671 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI in just 38 minor league games with EL Paso. However, his time with the organization could be coming to an end soon, especially with younger players having a similar skill set.

Rotation:

1) MacKenzie Gore – LH  Lake Elsinore Storm

W  L  ERA  GS  CG  SHO    IP      H    R  ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

7   1  1.12  14   0      0      72.1  33   9   9     4    17  101  .138     0.69

The number three overall prospect in all of baseball and the best left-handed starter according to MLB.com, Gore has put the blister issues of last season well behind him. Having made the Cal league all-star team and the soon-to-be-played Futures Game only cements his status as one of the best in the game. Putting up video game numbers reminiscent of Chris Paddack last season places him on a fast career path eerily similar to the “Sheriff.” It won’t happen, but it would be fun to see what he could do with a start or two in the show this season if given such an opportunity.

2) Luis Patino – RH  Lake Elsinore Storm

W  L  ERA   GS  CG  SHO   IP       H   R   ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

4   6   3.19  12   0      0     59.1   43 24  21   3    29   76   .197     1.21

After a slow start to his season in April, Patino has looked more like the pitcher who had a breakout year last season in the Mid-West League. Having also just been named to the California League All-Star team and Futures Game, Patino might not be on the same fast-track as his friend and teammate Gore, but he’s not that far off either. Looking forward to what the Padres do with his work load the rest of this year.

3) Joey Cantillo – LH   Fort Wayne Tin Caps

W  L  ERA   GS  CG  SHO   IP      H   R   ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

5   2  1.71   13   1      1     63.0  33 15 12    2    17    82   .152     0.79

Talk about being on a fast-track and having video game type numbers. Cantillo has also shot up the prospects rankings this season. After showing that his numbers last season in short-season ball were no fluke, expect Cantillo to be promoted to Lake Elsinore before the year is out. When you sport a sub 2.00 ERA, sub 1.00 WHIP, and average more than a strikeout per inning, that will get you on many a prospect list. Another late round steal for the Padres to brag about (16th round in 2017).

4) Efrain Contreras – RH   Fort Wayne Tin Caps

W  L  ERA   GS  CG  SHO   IP      H    R    ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

3   3  3.19  13    0      0     62.0  54  25  22    5    16   72    .232    1.13

Considering the Padres have been on restrictions for signing international players the last two years, seeing a player from one of those limited classes has to be a surprise to some. A.J. and the front office deserve some credit for finding such a person, but here we are with just that player. Considering there are players with a higher pedigree on his own team, Contreras is showing he deserves to be int he same conversation as those who are ranked higher.

5) Ryan Weathers – LH   Fort Wayne Tin Caps

W  L  ERA   GS  CG  SHO   IP      H    R   ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

2   2  3.33  12    0      0     46.0  45  20  17   4     8     50   .257     1.15

The team’s first round pick in 2018 (# 6 overall), Weathers has made the mid-season All-Star team in the Mid-West league while battling nagging injuries throughout his full-season debut.  When healthy, he projects as a mid-to front of the rotation arm. Considering this his first full pro season, however, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his innings limited a little closer than anticipated due to the injury bug.

6) Ronald Bolanos – RH   Amarillo Sod Poodles  Spot starter/long man

W  L  ERA   GS  CG  SHO   IP      H    R  ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

7   4  3.81  14    0      0     78.0  63  42 33   9    34   84    .219    1.24

A member of the franchise record international spending spree in the 2016 signing period, Bolanos finally looked like the pitcher the Padres were hoping for through the first part of his 2019 season with Lake Elsinore. With a stat line of 5-2, 2.85 ERA, and averaging almost a strikeout per inning, Bolanos has since been promoted to Double-A Amarillo. Although not experiencing the same success after his promotion, he still is averaging a strikeout per inning.

Bullpen:

MR-Jose Quezada – RH   Fort Wayne Tin Caps

W  L  ERA   G  SV  SVO   IP      H    R  ER  HR BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

5   1  1.80  29  0     0     40.0  34 10  8     4   16    53   .224     1.25

Yet another one of the late round draft picks the front office has assembled (10th round) in 2018, Quezada is having the best season among any reliever on the Tin Caps roster. Considering he has the best numbers of those relief options in Fort Wayne, it should only be a matter of when and not if he receives a promotion to play for the Storm. Having a sub 2.00 ERA and averaging better than a strikeout per inning usually gets you looked at.

MR-Gerardo Reyes – RH  El Paso Chihuahuas

W  L  ERA   G    SV  SVO   IP      H     R  ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

2   1  2.39  20    3     3     26.1  17  11   7     4    11   33   .187     1.06

Although he has appeared on the big league roster this year, Reyes’ numbers in Triple-A is what warrants him being on this all-star squad. Hitting triple digits consistently with his fastball is what has him on many a radar, but his overall numbers in the hitting friendly environment of the PCL is what makes him stand out. Reyes will no doubt be back up at some point in the season, perhaps even sooner rather than later.

MR-Travis Radke – LH  Amarillo Sod Poodles

W  L  ERA   G    SV  SVO   IP      H     R  ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

3   2  1.74  24   0      0     41.1  36  10   8     0   15    47   .229     1.23

Being bounced between three different affiliates in the same year would be burdensome on most pitchers, but not for this 25th-round draft pick from the last pre-Preller era draft of 2014. Back with EL Paso now, look for Radke to possibly get a late-season or even a September call-up to show what he’s got. Especially with the big club lacking left-handed options in their current bullpen situation.

SU-Evan Miller – RH  Amarillo Sod Poodles

W  L  ERA   G    SV  SVO   IP      H     R  ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

2   1  1.77  27  10   11   35.2   20   8    7     2    11   38    .157    0.87

Having posted filthy numbers before his recent promotion to Double-A with an ERA of 1.15, 10 saves in 11 chances and better than a K per inning, this 22nd-round draft pick in 2016 has hit a bit of bump post-promotion, albeit in 4.1 limited innings. Considering it’s only that many innings, look for Miller to bounce back in the second half with his new club.

SU-Steven Wilson – RH   El Paso Chihuahuas

W  L  ERA   G    SV  SVO   IP      H    R  ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

2   0  0.73  22    0      1    37.0  21   4   3     2     6     53   .165     0.73

You can make a strong case for it being a possible race as to who gets a call to the show first between the last two names on this all-star team. Considering what Wilson has done over his last ten games alone in what has to be considered a breakout performance, I would put my vote with him. Over his last ten games there hasn’t been a more dominant reliever in the system over that period, with an ERA of 0.00 and 22 K’s in his last 16.2 innings pitched.

CL-Andres Munoz – RH   El Paso Chihuahuas

W  L  ERA   G    SV  SVO   IP      H    R  ER  HR  BB   SO    AVG   WHIP

3   3  2.59  30   6      9     31.1 19  15   9     4   16    53   .174     1.12

The last name on this list should be of no surprise to the Friar Faithful. When you throw 104 MPH and can do it consistently, it’s only be a matter of time before we get to see that blazing fastball in a Padres uniform. Although not as dominant as he was with Amarillo pre-promotion, Munoz should appear in the Padres’ pen sometime soon. The only thing lacking in his game at this point seems to be his fastball command. If he can master his command the Friars might have their next closer in waiting.

And there is your San Diego Padres mid-season minor league all-star squad, Friar Faithful. Who would be on your Padres’ minor league all-star team?

For complete coverage of the San Diego Padres’ 2019 season, continue following Friars on Base all season long.