3 San Diego Padres prospects who could play big roles in 2024

Jackson Merrill, SS

The Friars could use their top infield prospect, Jackson Merrill, as a utility player next season. Shortstop is his primary position, but Merrill did play five games in the outfield with San Antonio last season. Also, he saw playing time at first base and second base. The reason is that Merrill is a great athlete and, to secure an opportunity in the majors, he better be open to play anywhere on the field.

Merrill will not be 21 until next April as he was the Padres first-round pick (27th overall) in the 2021 MLB Amateur Draft. In three minor league seasons, the young shortstop has a .295 lifetime batting average with 76 extra-base hits in 881 plate appearances. Merrill could provide a much-needed boost to the Padres listless offense.

He has shown there is nothing left to prove in the minors, but Merrill has never faced MLB pitching. A good spring training performance could force the Friars front office to put Merrill on the Opening Day roster. The move would save payroll to acquire a veteran starting pitcher.

Ethan Salas, C

Baseball has seen prospects take the leap from the low minors to the majors before. Michael Harris II of the Atlanta Braves won the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year after starting the season (43 games) in Double-A. Ethan Salas could make a similar impact with his bat in San Diego. The Padres offense needs to show some life in 2024.

The teenage catcher tore it up at each stop in the minors last season. Salas played 66 games in three minor league stops (A, A+ and AA). Collectively, he hit for .248 with nine home runs, 41 RBI and .831 OPS. Salas showed some power and the ability to hit to all fields from the left side of the plate.

Defensively, he has a strong arm with great mechanics in blocking pitches in the dirt. Still, veteran starters might be apprehensive about giving full control in calling a game to a 19-year-old. Gaining their confidence might be his biggest hurdle in 2024.

The front office will not waiver to put Salas on the roster if they deem him ready for the majors. But he will have to catch more than once or twice a week for the move to be successful.

Salas breaking camp with the Padres would be the exception, not the rule.

Jakob Marsee, OF

Jakob Marsee is an unknown outfield prospect for the Friars who could impact the lineup as early as 2024. Who and why? Marsee’s stock soared after being named the Arizona Fall League MVP this season. Granted, the AFL favors hitters, but not to this level.

His production was eye-opening in Peoria. Marsee led the league in hits (36), extra-base hits (17) and total bases (65) by hitting .391 with a 1.215 OPS. Scouts raved about his ability to take a walk or drive a pitch to the gap for an extra-base hit.

Currently, Marsee is ranked 12th among Padres prospects. He showed outstanding power, good plate discipline and smart baserunning instincts. His hitting approach appears to be aggressive, but Marsee perfectly executes it time and time again.

His advanced bat-to-ball hitting skills won him the AFL MVP award and an invitation to the Friars spring training camp. The next step for Marsee is playing in the majors.