3 San Diego Padres prospects that should be untouchable

MacKenzie Gore

We’ll start with the obvious in starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore who many believe could become the ace for the San Diego pitching staff as soon as 2021.

MLB.com ranks him as the fourth best prospect in all of baseball and the top left-handed pitching prospect.

The 20-year-old (will turn 21 in February) was the third overall pick in 2017 by San Diego.

In 43 Minor League starts he’s posted a 2.56 ERA with 243 strikeouts in 183 innings to go along with a WHIP of 1.01, a BB/9 of 2.6, and K/9 of 12.

He was named the MiLB Pitcher of the Year in 2019 after posting a 1.69 ERA in 101 innings with 135 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.83.

Some believe Gore could compete for a rotation spot during Spring Training, but let’s pump the breaks on that a bit.

He’s only made 5 starts at Double-A and posted a 4.15 ERA in those starts.

I still think we could see him make his debut in 2020, but that’s not likely to happen before mid-season.

We probably see him start the year in Double-A with a quick promotion to Triple-A if he gets out to a good start.

He has a fastball that sits 93-95 MPH with a 76 MPH curveball being his top secondary pitch. But he also throws a slider and a change-up that are effective pitches.

Gore is so untouchable that teams already seem to know not to ask for him in trade discussions.