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

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.