Padres: 15 players to protect in hypothetical expansion draft

Can Paddack replicate his amazing rookie season with the Padres?

3. Chris Paddack

After coming over from the Marlins and undergoing Tommy John surgery, Chris Paddack had a breakout rookie year – albeit on an innings limit – and he’s establishing himself as one of the premier starters in this league. Last year, Paddack posted a 3.33 ERA in 26 starts while striking out 153 batters in 140.2 innings. At age 24 and under team control through the 2024 season, he’s likely to be in the Padres’ rotation for quite some time.

4. MacKenzie Gore

Another no brainer. The Padres top prospect and one of the game’s top pitching prospects is likely to make his long-awaited debut if there’s a shortened season. Gore posted a combined 1.69 ERA between High-A and Double-A last year. He may have made the Opening Day roster under normal circumstances. If not, it wouldn’t have been too long into the season before the 21-year-old was called up.

5. Trent Grisham

Acquired during the off-season, the former 15th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft is a budding superstar. He’ll likely be patrolling centerfield for the next several years for the Padres. In a 51-game sample size last year, Grisham hit .231 while smacking six bombs and driving in 24. Over a full season, that equates to approximately 20 home runs and 75 RBI.

6. Luis Patino

Patino is a cant-miss prospect for the Friars. He’s a bit behind Gore in terms of his expected debut, but he’ll have a spot in the rotation with his name on it. He was nasty against right-handed batters last year, allowing just a .163 average. Patino made two starts with Double-A to close out his 2019, but with no minor league season this year, would the Padres carry him on the expanded roster?