When the San Diego Padres pulled off the blockbuster trade to acquire Juan Soto and Josh Bell last summer, it seemed like the knockout blow to an ailing farm system that was MLB’s best three years prior. When the 2023 season began, MLB Pipeline ranked their farm system a lowly 23rd out of 30 teams. Now ranking ninth at the midseason mark, Padres GM (and former scout) A.J. Preller has rebuilt the farm with haste, both through the draft and internationally. And with news today, Preller wishes to develop his new talent at a similar stride. Eleven of the organization’s most promising prospects were promoted to higher league levels, per Jeff Saunders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Mass movementup up the #Padres system:
Ethan Salas
Robby Snelling
Graham Pauley
Jakob Marsee
Nathan MartorellaAll to Double-A @missionsmilb
Dylan Lesko and Samuel Zavala to High Single-A @TinCaps
Dillon Head to Low Single-A @Storm_Baseball
— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) August 20, 2023
Promotions to AA San Antonio
The Venezuelan prodigy Ethan Salas is moving up after just nine games in High-A Fort Wayne. Signing in International FA for $5.8 million earlier this year, the catcher’s skill level for his age has been lauded extensively. Despite being MLB’s No. 5 prospect, it’s an aggressive move for a kid that didn’t see success in his short High-A stint. Still, Salas is about advanced as it gets for a 17-year-old.
Joining him is battery partner Robby Snelling. San Diego’s second-round selection of 2022 has dazzled in 2023, rolling an ERA of 1.88 in 86.1 IP across both levels of A ball. The southpaw’s large frame allows him to generate up to 97 MPH from the left side, to pair with a wipeout 60-grade slider. Snelling is MLB’s #64 ranked prospect at 19 years old.
Three left-handed hitters are racing out the final players en route to San Antonio. Padres No. 12 prospect OF Jakob Marsee has a quick stroke with one of the highest OBPs in the Midwest League. 1B Nathan Martorella‘s swing is nearly identical to Max Muncy‘s and possesses true home run power. Toolsy INF Graham Pauley excels at ripping the ball to all fields, slashing .295/.355/.614 through 44 games in Fort Wayne.
At just 17 years old, Ethan Salas is making quite the name for himself. 👀 pic.twitter.com/HYySfrioDw
— MLB (@MLB) August 11, 2023
Promotions to High-A Fort Wayne
19-year-old righty Dylan Lesko will be the name to watch in Fort Wayne after the departure of Ethan Salas. The Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year in 2021, Most considered Lesko the best arm in the 2022 draft class. Unfortunately, his elbow required Tommy John surgery; thus, his draft stock took a hit. The Padres selected him 15th overall in 2022, rolling the dice on the health of his arm. Through just five appearances in Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2023, the organization looks to test Lesko against better competition.
OF speedster Samuel Zavala will become a member of the TinCaps too. Ranked the #100 prospect in baseball, Zavala has an easy left-handed swing projecting for average pop at the Major League level. He has the fifth-highest OPS in the California league, with a .871 in the third-best 101 games played.
Other promoted players: OF Griffin Doershing, INF Devin Ortiz, OF Tyler Robertson.
Promotions to Low-A Lake Elsinore
The Padres’ 2023 first-round selection Dillon Head will start his path to the bigs in Lake Elsinore. The outfielder already ranks as San Diego’s No. 8 prospect, showing off impressive range and speed in center field. 1B Romeo Sanabria goes up as well, with a 1.060 OPS through 50 games for the ACL Padres.
Main Photo Credits: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
