Padres’ former top prospect Leo De Vries getting fast-tracked by new team

Padres fans all saw this coming. It was just a matter of time before Leo De Vries got acclimated to his new team and started going on a tear at the plate. De Vries, who was the Padres' top prospect, was traded before the deadline as part of a blockbuster deal that saw San Diego acquire reliever Mason Miller.

De Vries began his tenure within the Athletics' minor league system ice cold, batting .182 with no home runs and 14 strikeouts in his first 12 games. Since then, he pieced together a few monster games, which was enough for the Athletics to promote him from High-A to Double-A, all at just 18 years old.

Former Padres top prospect Leo De Vries is headed to Double-A ball with Athletics

Right after De Vries' 12-game skid in High-A with Lansing, he batted 7-for-12 with three home runs, two triples, and a double. He drove in six runs and walked as well during this three-game stretch, proving to the Athletics that he was settled in with his new organization, and ready for the next step.

De Vries made his Double-A debut on August 19 with Midland, making him the only 18-year-old currently competing at this level across all leagues. He led off for the Rockhounds, starting at shortstop. In his first game, he batted 0-for-4 with a walk.

Ranked No. 3 overall in the Top 100 list of prospects, it's no surprise that Leo De Vries is already finding so much success. MLB executives and scouts already have him touted as a future All-Star, which made it painful to watch him leave San Diego's organization.

His initial struggle with the Athletics was able to calm Padres fans, but we all know it would only be in the short term. While Friars fans wish De Vries the best, it is now time to completely move on from him, and focus on the players who San Diego received in exchange for the teenage star.

That includes left-handed starter JP Sears, who has already had a bumpy ride upon arriving to San Diego. He was demoted to Triple-A after just one start, but was recalled to toss against the Giants on Wednesday night.