Padres: 15 players to protect in hypothetical expansion draft

MLB is likely to add another team or two to the league at some point, so what current Padres’ players would you protect from an expansion draft?

Similar to when the Las Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL as an expansion team in 2017, MLB may be facing the same dilemma in the next couple of seasons. The league has reportedly been identifying a few locations that the next MLB team could form with Las Vegas, Nashville, and Portland being among the cities.

The Padres joined the league in 1968, selecting players along with new teams in the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, and Seattle franchises that the rest of the league chose not to protect. And utilizing a hypothetical scenario of being about to protect 15 players on the current roster, what players would you make untouchable?

1. Fernando Tatis, Jr.

Getting a few of the obvious ones out of the way first, Tatis is still 21 years old and is going to be a perennial MVP-candidate. He played in just 84 games in his rookie year, but he’s going to be a permanent fixture on the Padres roster for at least the next decade.

2. Manny Machado

Inked to a ten-year deal last offseason, Machado is still entering his prime. He turns 28 years old in July and is on track for a Hall of Fame career. In a down year with the Padres, he hit .256 with 32 bombs and 85 RBI. Look for him to rebound now that he’s settled into his contract and his new team.

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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?

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11. Taylor Trammell

Trammell was making a case to crack the Opening Day roster before he was among the second wave of cuts. The former 35th overall pick of the 2016 MLB Draft is the real deal. The Padres made a minor tweak to his swing at the end of the year, and he responded by homering twice in his final four regular-season games. Expect him to be added to the 30-man expanded roster if there is a shortened season.

12. Ty France

Despite being drafted so late, France has made the most of his time and could find a considerable amount of playing time at second base this year. He nearly hit .400 in 76 Triple-A games last year. Once called up, his stock took a dip, but he displayed tremendous raw power and sound defense at second base.

13. Tommy Pham

Pham is one of the most underrated outfielders in baseball. He’s accumulated a .385 on-base percentage over the last two years in Tampa, and the Padres are hoping that carries over. He’s only under contract through the 2021 season, but don’t be surprised if the Padres have him stick around beyond next year. He’s one player that perhaps has benefited the most from the shutdown, given his elbow injury.

14. Jake Cronenworth

Acquired as part of the Pham trade, Jake Cronenworth has yet to make his big league debut, but he hit .334 in 94 games for the Rays’ Triple-A outfit last year. He has displayed tremendous patience and the ability to get on-base. His playing time is unclear right now, and he could have benefited from another two weeks of spring training to potentially stand out.

15. Dinelson Lamet

Under team control through the 2023 season, Lamet has elite spin rate on his breaking balls. He’s been tabbed as a dark horse Cy Young candidate and could potentially benefit from a shortened season, as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. He was off to a terrific start in spring training, striking out 11 batters in three starts while allowing just three hits in nine innings.

What does your list look like?