Over the next few weeks we’ll be taking a look how the Padres’ organizational talent stacks up position-by-position.  Anyone included on a roster of any of the US affiliates will be listed.  Be sure to check out the entire Organizational Audit series.

Major League Situation –

Orlando Hudson

Hudson has been the source of much controversy since arriving in San Diego last fall.  His lackluster season – .246/.329/.352 with seven home runs – has led to many questions as to why the organization decided to dedicate multiple years and millions of dollars to the former All Star.  With his trade value at an all-time low and another year on his contract there is little doubt that Hudson will be the Opening Day starter in 2012.

Logan Forsythe

Although he had never played second base as a professional until 2010, Forsythe has already become a passable defender and should profile to be above average with the glove with more experience.  He has always been able to draw his fair share of walks, but Forsythe’s disappearing power has been disappointing.  He can easily profile as a career utility guy because of his defense, but he’s going to have to fight tough competition as the Padres’ organization is flush with players who fit this profile.

Top Prospect –

Cory Spangenberg

Spangenberg profiles to be one of the more exciting players that the Padres have in the minors even though he lacks the absolute tools of guys like Donavan Tate or Rymer Liriano.  His bat and speed will carry him, but those tools combined with his current polish hold enough promise to project him in the everyday lineup.  He will likely start 2012 in Fort Wayne with an outside shot at Lake Elsinore depending on where other players are assigned.

The Rest –

Vincent Belnome

Belnome received a tough draw in 2011, missing all but 75 games due to injury.  After burning through the Northwest, Midwest and Cal Leagues he was primed for his first true test in Double-A.  A .333/.432/.603 slash line flashed a very advanced skill set, but there are few in the scouting community who are ready to buy into the former Mountaineer as a big leaguer just yet.

Jonathan Galvez

As the second youngest member of the Storm this season – Reymond Fuentes is about a month younger – Galvez offers an impressive array of offensive tools with decent hands but lackluster overall defense.  He isn’t quite the all-bat guy that Edinson Rincon is, but Galvez will appear in Double-A in 2012 as a player without a permanent position.  Although his walk rate dipped in 2011 it’s tough to blame an offensive-minded 20 year old in a hitter’s league who wants to be aggressive.

Chris Bisson

Once seen as a top up-the-middle defender in college, Bisson tried his hand at four different positions in his first year of full-season ball.  Many see him as a second baseman in the future but with hit and power tools that grade out as below average Bisson will need to show versatility if he hopes to become an asset to the organization.  Bisson posses above average speed although he hasn’t been able to translate that into an impressive stolen base total or fully utilize his 48% groundball rate.  He’ll be entering his age-22 season but may need to repeat Low-A due to the infield depth the Padres posses in the upper minors.

Dean Anna

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Anna offers a skill set that features solid defense at multiple positions, impressive walk rates, an average to below average hit tool and little power while being drafted after the 20^th round.  Give credit to the former Padres regime, they seemed to find a lot of these college baseball players in the middle of the draft who are short on tools but have fantastic makeup that allows them to find success.

Guys You Don’t Need To Worry About Unless Something Crazy Happens –

Anthony Contreras, Pat McKenna, Bryan Altman, Chris Tremblay, Tyler Stubblefield, Travis Whitmore, Felix Cabrera, Rashad Ingram