Padres Draft: Latest five-round mock draft is flawless

Fourth round, 109th overall: Bryce Bonnin, RHP (Texas Tech)

Three straight college pitchers after taking one of the top high school talents in this draft. So far, so good. Bryce Bonnin is a 6-foot-1 junior from Texas Tech and made just one start as a freshman. He made ten appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 16 over 19.0 innings. The bad news is he walked 12 batters over that timeframe as well.

He took part in the Cape Cod League the summer after his freshman year. As a sophomore, Bonnin made 15 appearances – including 13 starts – while striking out 65 batters in 64.0 innings and limiting the opposition to a .223 average. Again, he had problems with his command, allowing 45 walks over that span.

He’s a guy that could have used a full year in the rotation. In four starts, he struck out 27 batters, and his command improved, allowing six walks in 14.2 innings (3.7 BB/9). Bonnin is a risky pick, but the fourth round is the place to take these gambles. He has tremendous upside but might be a better fit out of the bullpen down the road.

Fifth round, 139th overall: Shane McGuire, C (San Diego)

The Padres aren’t afraid to take guys in their backyard, but taking a catcher here seems odd. The Padres are likely to move on from Austin Hedges; however, they still have Francisco Mejia, Luis Torrens, and Luis Campusano waiting.

As a freshman, McGuire posted a .287/.417/.362 slash line with eight doubles, one triple, and one home run in 53 games. He’s proven capable of hitting in wood-bat leagues, posting a .337 average in 51 games in the Northwoods League the summer after his freshman campaign.

In 2019, McGuire had a breakout campaign, posting a .325/.444/.401 line with 12 doubles, one home run, and 31 RBI in 52 games. He threw out 37 percent of baserunners. McGuire may not stick behind the plate, but he’s played 42 games at first base as well, which gives the Padres options, especially with the implementation of the DH likely coming within the next couple of years.