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Q&A with Padres Prospect Joe Wieland

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

Joe Wieland came to the Padres along with Robbie Erlin in the July 31st trade that sent Mike Adams to the Texas Rangers.  Wieland finished 2011 fifth in all of the minors with a 1.97 ERA and is headed to Spring Training with an eye on making his way to San Diego sometime in 2012.  You can follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Tm W L ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2008 Rangers 5 1 1.44 13 7 0 0 43.2 32 8 7 2 8 41 0.916 6.6 0.4 1.6 8.5 5.13
2009 Hickory 4 6 5.31 19 18 0 0 83.0 102 67 49 7 24 73 1.518 11.1 0.8 2.6 7.9 3.04
2010 Hickory 7 4 3.34 15 15 2 1 89.0 84 36 33 4 15 71 1.112 8.5 0.4 1.5 7.2 4.73
2010 Bakersfield 4 3 5.19 11 10 0 0 59.0 67 36 34 6 10 62 1.305 10.2 0.9 1.5 9.5 6.20
2011 Myrtle Beach 6 3 2.10 14 13 1 1 85.2 78 23 20 7 4 96 0.957 8.2 0.7 0.4 10.1 24.00
2011 Frisco 4 0 1.23 7 7 1 1 44.0 35 9 6 2 11 36 1.045 7.2 0.4 2.2 7.4 3.27
2011 San Antonio 3 1 2.77 5 5 0 0 26.0 23 10 8 0 6 18 1.115 8.0 0.0 2.1 6.2 3.00
4 Seasons 33 18 3.28 84 75 4 3 430.1 421 189 157 28 78 397 1.160 8.8 0.6 1.6 8.3 5.09

You went through an experience this year few top prospects go through. What was it like switching organizations in the middle of the season?

It definitely was a different experience, especially with everything that had happened two days prior* to the trade. It kind of was like my first day of pro ball all over again. I had to learn everyone’s names, adjust to the new surroundings, and get settled in. I couldn’t have been more happy with everything that happened though.

*Wieland threw a no hitter against the Padres’ Double-A affiliate he would later pitch for two days before being traded

Your name was at or near the top of just about every leader board this season, what clicked in 2011 to help you take your game to the next level? (more…)

Top 25 Padres Prospects – Preseason 2012

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Player Update | San Antonio Missions | Scouting Reports | Tucson Padres - (7 Comments)

This is a list of the best prospects in the Padres’ organization.  To be eligible for this list a player must still posses their rookie status.  Prospects are ranked both by their ultimate potential and the likelihood that they will reach that potential.  The easiest way to understand the rankings is to consider what order players would be selected in if the entire organization were eligible for a draft.  Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) for each prospect is when they would reach the majors if they are able to reach their potential.

If you have any questions or comments about the list, send Jeff a message or post a question to the Padres Prospects Facebook Page.

Updated: February 2012

1) Yasmani Grandal – In his first full season as a professional, Grandal firmly established himself as a legitimate two-way catcher.  He has taken some heat for his receiving skills, but Grandal has enough athleticism and plus arm strength to at least be average defensively down the road.  Combine that with a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat and you’ve got the most intriguing player in a deep Padres system.  ETA: Late 2012

2) Yonder Alonso – Alonso earns the nod over players with higher ceilings below him because of his mix of upside and low bust potential.  With a patient approach and the ability to use all fields Alonso doesn’t quite fit the mold of the traditional first-base masher but should provide the Padres with above average production at the position for years to come. ETA: 2012 Opening Day (more…)

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Q&A with Padres Prospect Cory Spangenberg

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (2 Comments)

Cory Spangenberg was drafted by the Padres in the first round (9th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft.  After quickly signing, Spangenberg began his season with the Eugene Emeralds where he reached base more often than not before receiving a promotion to Fort Wayne.  Spangenberg is preparing himself to head to Arizona this spring with his sights set on returning to the Tincaps to start the 2012 season.  You can also follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Tm G PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
2011 Eugene 25 121 20 33 10 0 1 20 10 4 31 15 .384 .545 .535 1.080
2011 Fort Wayne 47 209 35 54 7 1 2 24 15 4 14 42 .286 .345 .365 .710
1 Season 72 330 55 87 17 1 3 44 25 8 45 57 .316 .419 .418 .837

In the last year you went from playing baseball at a Community College in Florida to being taken in the first round of the 2011 Draft, what has this ride been like for you? (more…)

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Padres Prospect Mailbag: January

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Mailbag | Player Update | San Antonio Missions | Tucson Padres - (0 Comments)

Some questions have been slightly edited to be shorter and more direct. If you have a question for the next Padres Prospect Mailbag, shoot us an email: mailbag@padresprospects.com

What can we expect from Kyle Blanks moving forward? Has he reached his ceiling? – Chelsea

While I’m not 100% sure what Blanks’ future holds I think it’s safe to say that he hasn’t reached his ceiling.  Blanks showed throughout his time in the minors that, if nothing else, he would offer an above average power stroke and the ability to get on base.  But, what we’ve seen over three injury-riddled seasons is a player who has struggled to translate offensively while providing more than expected defensively:

Year G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
2009 54 172 148 24 37 9 0 10 22 1 1 18 55 .250 .355 .514 .868
2010 33 120 102 14 16 6 1 3 15 1 0 15 46 .157 .283 .324 .607
2011 55 190 170 21 39 7 1 7 26 2 0 16 51 .229 .300 .406 .706

The Padres have made it completely clear that they have all but cooled on Blanks with the acquisition of Carlos Quentin and the further diminishment of Blanks’ role with the club – not to mention Yonder Alonso and Jesus Guzman likely taking just about every at bat this season at first base.

2012 likely means a return to Tucson for Blanks where he will take over Anthony Rizzo’s vacated roster spot and hope for an opportunity with the big club or trade to a less crowded situation.  In a neutral environment it’s not out of the question to think that Blanks could post a .250/.350/.475 line while playing solid defense in either left field or at first base where that line would be far less valuable.

I’m not going to ask for your top 10, because the system is so deep.  What does your top 15 prospect look like after the Latos trade? – Dustin (more…)

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Padres send Anthony Rizzo to Chicago for Andrew Cashner

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Trades - (3 Comments)

On Friday afternoon the Padres agreed to a long-rumored deal with Chicago that sent Anthony Rizzo and Zach Cates to the Cubs for Andrew Cashner and Kyung-Min Na.

Rizzo had become somewhat of a surplus for the Padres after the acquisition of Yonder Alonso – a player they prefer as a fit with their club – but many were convinced they’d hold onto him incase the combination of Alonso and Jesus Guzman scuffled.  Unfortunately for the Padres every other team realized this surplus, degrading Rizzo’s value past a point many expected.

While he did struggle in 128 at bats in the majors last season, Rizzo is still widely regarded as a Top 50 prospect in the game.  Yet, that extended cup of coffee in San Diego did reveal a few facets of Rizzo’s game that were underdeveloped. (more…)

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Q&A with Padres Prospect Casey McElroy

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

Casey McElroy was drafted by the Padres in the 11th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. After successfully navigating the college-heavy Northwest League, Casey headed to the Dominican Republic to try his hand behind the plate.  We caught up with Casey as he prepares to head to his first Spring Training as a professional baseball player. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
2011 ARIZ 5 21 19 0 5 2 0 0 3 1 9 .263 .300 .368 .668
2011 NORW 19 84 73 11 22 6 0 2 11 10 13 .301 .381 .466 .847
1 Season 24 105 92 11 27 8 0 2 14 11 22 .293 .365 .446 .811

You had a pretty eventful 2011. What was it like to go from playing college baseball at Auburn to pro ball with other new draft picks in the Rookie Leagues? (more…)

Q&A with Baseball America Associate Editor Matt Eddy

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Player Update | Q&A | San Antonio Missions | Trades | Tucson Padres - (0 Comments)

Matt Eddy is an Associate Editor at Baseball America who has covered the Padres’ minor league system since the 2006 off season.  He was kind enough to chat with us about BA’s recently released Padres Top 10 Prospect list.  You can also see full writeups on the Padres’ Top 30 prospects in BA’s Prospect Handbook.  Be sure to follow Matt on Twitter.

Where would the prospects acquired in the Mat Latos trade rank in the Padres’ farm system?

The Mat Latos trade with the Reds changed the Padres prospect landscape. San Diego can plug in first baseman Yonder Alonso at first base right away, and he fits with the organization’s emphasis on on-base skills and a line-to-line hitting approach—particularly when it comes to lefty bats like Alonso. He would challenge Anthony Rizzo for top prospect in the system honors.

Catcher Yasmani Grandal will spend the bulk of 2012 in Triple-A if all goes according to plan, though he could share time with either Nick Hundley or John Baker in 2013. Catchers who provide offensive value are so rare that Grandal might slot in at No. 5 on our list, after Cory Spangenberg and ahead of Austin Hedges.

Right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger probably would not crack the Top 10, though like Alonso he is big league-ready.

Who are the prospects in your Top 10 who scouts continually gave glowing reviews? (more…)

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Q&A with Padres Pitching Prospect Brad Boxberger

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

Brad Boxberger came to the Padres this offseason in the trade that sent Mat Latos to the Reds.  Drafted in the first round (43rd overall) of the 2009 MLB Draft out of USC, Boxberger split time in 2010 as a starter and reliever before making the full time conversion this season to the bullpen.  You can also follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Tm Lev W L ERA G GS GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2010 Lynchburg A+ 4 6 3.19 14 13 0 0 62.0 57 30 22 3 20 70 1.242 8.3 0.4 2.9 10.2 3.50
2010 Carolina AA 1 4 8.49 22 0 6 0 29.2 35 28 28 4 22 40 1.921 10.6 1.2 6.7 12.1 1.82
2011 Carolina AA 1 2 1.31 30 0 22 4 34.1 16 5 5 2 13 57 0.845 4.2 0.5 3.4 14.9 4.38
2011 Louisville AAA 1 2 2.93 25 0 12 7 27.2 16 10 9 2 15 36 1.120 5.2 0.7 4.9 11.7 2.40
2 Seasons 7 14 3.75 91 13 40 11 153.2 124 73 64 11 70 203 1.262 7.3 0.6 4.1 11.9 2.9

2011 was your first season as a full time reliever. Do you feel like you are fully used to your new role? How has your daily routine changed? (more…)

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Q&A with Reds Prospect Writer Doug Gray

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

As you no doubt have heard by now, the Padres traded Mat Latos to the Reds on Saturday for a four-player package.  Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com was kind enough to answer a few questions from the Reds’ perspective.

What was your first reaction to hearing the final trade package?

My first reaction was a little different from my overall reaction, but at the end of the day I liked the deal for the Reds. My first reaction was that I am a huge fan of Latos, but that was a decent chunk of talent. My final reaction was similar. I think that both teams did well.

If another team were to have traded all of those pieces, I would say that they made a mistake even though Latos is a borderline ace-caliber pitcher today. But the Reds have the depth to make up for the guys they moved with their first base, catcher and left field options. Assuming that Latos can stay healthy and perform similar to what everyone thinks he is capable of, I think both teams can look back at this trade in 5-6 years and be very happy with it.

In your mind, who is the best prospect the Padres are receiving in return? (more…)

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Padres Cash in Latos for Prospect Haul

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Trades - (3 Comments)

On Saturday the Padres agreed to a trade with the Reds that will send 24-year-old right-hander Mat Latos to Cincinnati for a four-player package that includes Edinson Volquez, Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal and Brad Boxberger.

For reactions to this trade from the MLB perspective I’ll recommend checking out the work done here, here and here.

On trading Latos:

I discussed this topic in the December Mailbag that was posted this week and came to the conclusion that this seemed like an odd time to shop him.  The only reason that you’d give up a player like Latos at this point in his career with four years of team control left is if you’re offered a package that is too good to pass up.

It’s irrelevant what sort of value fans and analysts believe Latos carries.  The fact that the Padres were concerned enough about his on-field maturity to trade a young, front-of-the-rotation starter as he enters his physical prime is a huge factor to consider.  No one is claiming that Latos is a bad person, simply that people who are privy to information we are not believe that in certain situations Latos tends to allow his emotions to alter his effectiveness.  Add that to the fact that he has missed time the last two seasons because of shoulder injury concerns and you can see how the Padres saw an opportunity they could not let slip.  While there is a good chance that Latos turns into a perennial Cy Young contender, the chance he’s the next AJ Burnett or Carlos Zambrano is just as likely.

On the players received in return: (more…)

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