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.

More from Padres Prospects

• Padres’ top prospect tearing up AFL after injury-riddled 2022
• An updated look at the San Diego Padres’ farm system ranking
• 2 Padres rookies who could be on the move in potential Juan Soto trade
• San Diego Padres prospects to watch at the MLB trade deadline
• Fans, experts giddy at Padres taking Dylan Lesko in MLB draft

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?

Batting order and lineup:

1) Xavier Edwards – SS  Fort Wayne Tin Cap Caps

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

71 282  42   95  115   11    3     1     26   27    34   19    .337  .392   .408   .800

With the first half Xavier Edwards has had so far, it should be no surprise to see this kid as the lead-off hitter in our lineup. Basically a first round pick last year, (CBA 2018) Edwards isn’t slowing down in his full-season debut, especially after displaying his exciting skill set at two levels of the system last year.

2) Luis Urias – 2B  EL Paso Chihuahuas

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

64  258   56   83  159   17    4    17   45    33   56    7    .322   .406   .616  1.022

Urias might have struggled in the Majors, but he’s been wreaking havoc in triple-A ball. He’s slashing .322/.406/.616 through 64 games and doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. He should be recalled to the Padres sometime soon. Could the Padres be using him as trade bait at the deadline? We soon shall see.

3) Luis Campusano – C  Lake Elsinore Storm

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

64  236   35   77  123   19    0      9    41   30   33    0    .326   .400   .521  .921

This is where you might find the biggest surprise in this lineup. After a very good first season in the Mid-West league last year, Campusano looks like an all-star and is playing like one too. Always considered a glove-first option, he has blossomed into an all-around player this year, tapping into his power while also leading the California league in hitting.

4) Ty France – 1B  EL Paso Chihuahuas

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

40  156   48   61  133   13    1    19   55   13   26    1    .391   .476   .853 1.328

After a brief 98 at-bat cup of coffee this season with the big club, France has continued his Triple-A dominance this season following that first taste of the major leagues. In what must be considered a break out year for this former 34th round pick in 2015, look for France to get another opportunity during the September call-ups.

5) Josh Naylor – LF  EL Paso Chihuahuas

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

45  184   41   55    99   14     0    10   35   24   24    1   .299   .378   .538  .916

Currently holding down a spot on the big league roster, Naylor was having a wonderful first go at the Pacific Coast league before his current contributions with the Padres. It will be interesting to see how his role plays out within a stacked outfield at the big-league level as well as in the minor league system.

6) Michael Gettys – CF  EL Paso Chihuahuas

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

78  322   60   80  164   18    3    20   60   18  103  10  .248   .288   .509  .798

Once considered a top-30 prospect in the game’s deepest farm system, Gettys has displayed the tools to make that case. While he would definitely be on most prospects lists if it weren’t for a poor K rate and low OBP, Gettys is showing his power and speed skills in his first year in Triple-A with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases.

7) Edward Olivares – RF  Amarillo Sod Poodles

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

72  280   55   79  130   18    0    11   49   27   64   21  .282   .354   .464   .819

Another of the speed-power players the Padres brass covets, Olivares is having another stellar season in the tool department. He is on pace to set or beat most of last season’s numbers and we still have half a season to play. Currently on the 40-man roster, the front office will have a tough time gauging where exactly he fits in the long-term for this franchise.

8) Seth Mejias-Brean – 3B   EL Paso Chihuahuas

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

67  241   37   81   113  12    1     6     37   16   51    0    .336  .380   .469  .849

Never considered a top prospect during his time in the minors, Mejias-Brean is having his best season ever. Hitting in the best environment in all of the minor leagues has to be of help, but it doesn’t mean he shouldn’t belong on this list, especially considering the options the Padres have at third base elsewhere in the organization.

9) Owen Miller – DH  Amarillo Sod Poodles

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

75  298   36   91  130   15    0     8     42   26   49    3   .305   .368  .436  .804

After being drafted in last year’s third round (2018), Miller has skyrocketed up the prospects list and has proved that his bat-to-ball skills are second to none. Having made the jump all the way to Double-A in his first full-season, it should only be a matter of time before we see this player donning the jersey of the other affiliate that plays in the state of Texas.

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.