The Padres traded many of their top prospects, begging the question: how quickly can they rebuild their raided farm system?
Padres Prospects Include Newcomers And Steady Stars
General manager AJ Preller is a man with a plan. After trading away many of the Padres top prospects he is eager to begin rebuilding. He made similar moves in the 2020 and 2022 seasons and was able to replenish the Padres farm system. He explains that the prospects who were traded are expected to do great things in the league. But the Padres weren’t ready to use their talents, while the guys behind them were ready to take over.
The list of top prospects for the Padres is sprinkled with recent draftees and other eager players ready to take the open spots left by the previous top prospects. Yet, Ethan Salas and Ledoalis De Vries are the only Padres prospects that rank in the MLB top 100. With Salas sitting at no 20 and De Vries at No. 47, they still have a long way to climb.
Ethan Salas and Leodalis De Vries are the top two prospects for the San Diego Padres, respectively. In the last two years, they have been viewed as the top prospects for international signing classes.
Ethan Salas In The Lead
In 2023, Salas signed a $5.6 million contract after showing potential behind the plate and in the batter’s box. From Venezuela, Salas was seen as one of the best prospects coming out of the international amateur class. In his first season with the Padres, he quickly made his way through the ranks reaching Double A in the last weeks of the year. While he has shown incredible potential, he has struggled with his demanding position. Nevertheless, Preller believes he is up for the challenge.
Salas has shown an advanced ability to throw to the bases with ease and accuracy, a remarkable skill to have at a young age. On the other hand, he has struggled with blocking the ball. When the ball strikes the dirt, he loses sight of its trajectory and braces himself for impact, leading many balls to go past him. He has made a number of trips this season to the backstop after letting balls get through him.
In terms of his bat, he shows incredible potential as he is able to cover the zone. Additionally, he has incredible power for an 18-year-old, which will likely only increase with his maturity. He has demonstrated patience, power, and contact during his at-bats. It appears that what he is struggling with can be written off as challenges that come with a young age. These struggles will likely be tweaked, fixed, and worked out as he gets more practice and game time.
De Vries Not Too Far Behind
In 2024, De Vries was seen as a spare-no-effort power-hitting infielder who could hit from both sides of the plate. There was quite a buzz when De Vries first appeared on management’s radar. Indeed there still is, as some agents are saying he is one of the best international prospects in more than half a decade.
De Vries was quickly brought into the Padres ranks and landed in Low-A at Lake Elsinore. At a young age, he has been struggling to keep up with the quick pace of the level. He has been working on getting his feet under him and moving quickly. However, he has an incredible 60-grade arm with a projectable build. His arm shows great power and range of rotation creating high hopes for him as a shortstop.
At bat, De Vries takes control. He is able to strike from any position with great power from either side of the plate. At only 17 years old, he can attack any ball in the strike zone and has become a very dangerous hitter. He has demonstrated a good feel for elevation and a good eye during his at-bats.
Padres Prospects Beware of Newcomers!
The Padres have several new prospects in 2024 to add to their list from the recent amateur draft picks, which include Kash Mayfield (LHP), Boston Bateman (LHP), Kavares Tears (OF), Kale Fountain (3B), Cobb Hightower (SS), Tyson Neighbors (RHP), and Clark Candiotti (RHP). These new talents have made great strides on the Padres list of prospects.
The Padres have made some unconventional choices this year. After trading away their 12 prospects out of 21, they have also selected high school players as their draft picks. The Padres are eager to select the best talent to help bolster their farm system despite the fact that many teams in the league focus on selecting from the college level.
Their selection of Mayfield continues the Padres ‘ nine-year trend of picking a high school player in the first round. Mayfield was the two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Oklahoma. He posted a 0.16 ERA in his senior season after striking out 115 hitters. Bateman was selected for his strong pitching in high school, dominating the mound 1t 6-foot-8. Tears were recognized for an incredible season with the University of Tennessee, with a .324 batting average, including 20 home runs and 62 RBI. Fountain also comes from a high school background, surging to the top in Nebraska after breaking the record for most home runs.
Hightower came out of North Carolina as one of the best shortstops in the state for the class of 2024 and committed to the University of North Carolina. Neighbors completed three seasons with Kansas State and posted a 3.96 ERA in his Junior year. Candotti led his team with 103 strikeouts and concluded with a 3.39 ERA, earning his recognition in the Pac-12.
Looking Forward
The Padres have a lot of faith in their prospects as they continue to build and rebuild over the years. Their focus now seems to be on the postseason and winning their first World Series, leaving their farm system in a bit of a lurch. However, they have been able to maintain some talent and have been toying around with what they have left.
Main Photo Credits: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
