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Padres Prospet Mailbag: August Part 2

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Mailbag | MLB Draft | San Antonio Missions | Tucson Padres - (4 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

Make sure you check out Part 1 of the Mailbag.

Is Reymond Fuentes still a legit prospect? – Jonathan

Definitely.  While Fuentes’ stock has definitely slipped, he still is loaded with enough tools to be an everyday center fielder on a contending team.  It is becoming more apparent that the bat will never be anything special, but his speed definitely plays in games and – outside of this year – he has shown the ability to make consistent contact.

Unless you see a serious regression in tools, one year of production is not enough to condemn a player.  That being said, Fuentes has a lot to prove as questions surrounding his effort are growing louder and louder.

What level will Joe Ross, Michael Kelly and Austin Hedges start at next season? – Antonio

Too early to definitively say at this point.  Ross has enough stuff to compete in the Midwest League, but the Padres may elect to tinker with his delivery in the Instructional League which may have him set to begin the season in Arizona or Eugene.  Gut says they challenge him in Fort Wayne barring unforeseen circumstances.

Kelly is much more of a project at this point with only one real pitch in his repertoire.  The conservative play would be to start him in Arizona and promote Kelly if his performance validated, but at the moment I’ll say that he begins the year in Eugene with the Emeralds.

While 20 at bats with the AZL Padres is not a ton of experience, Hedges has at least shown that his bat isn’t completely overmatched by professional pitchers.  I’d expect to see him in Fort Wayne to start 2012 barring an underwhelming spring that would send him to Eugene. Continue reading “Padres Prospet Mailbag: August Part 2” »

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Padres Prospect Mailbag: August Part 1

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Mailbag | MLB Draft | Player Update | San Antonio Missions | Tucson Padres - (3 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

Make sure you check out Part 2 of the Mailbag.

Where has Edinson Rincon been? – John

Rincon was struck by a pitch on June 25 that knocked him out of action until August 25.  He is currently rehabbing with the Padres’ Arizona League affiliate and may be a candidate for the Arizona Fall League if the Padres are concerned about getting him extra at bats before re-evaluating him in Spring Training.

It is important to remember that we may not see the normal Rincon for quite some time.  The injury he suffered – a broken Hamate bone – is known to sap a batters power severely and full recovery time for their true ability to return can be 12-18 months.  Scouts and talent evaluators love the potential that Rincon brings on offense.  He has a fluid swing that is aided by his strong wrists.  Just be prepared to possibly see a lighter-hitting Rincon than in the past.

Any thoughts on what players the Padres will send to the Arizona Fall League? – Ryan

As I mentioned above, I do believe that Rincon is a strong candidate for the AFL.

Others who could potentially make an appearance:

Simon Castro – he appeared to be on the cusp of a call up heading into the season but has experienced serious regression in his secondary offerings.  With just over 100 innings pitched on the season he has more than enough bullets left in his arm this year to pitch through the winter.

Jason Hagerty – he lacks much experience against upper-level competition so the AFL would be a great challenge for him.

Cody Decker – he missed almost three months of live action.  Now that his ankle is fully healed the Padres would like to get him as much experience as possible so that his promotion path is not delayed.  Still, even with some AFL experience another year in San Antonio is not out of the question for the undersized first baseman.

Jaff Decker – he has already surpassed his career-high in games, but with his struggles in adjusting to a new stance the Peoria native may be asked to play some extra baseball over the offseason.

Like every other team the Padres will send six players, two of which can be from lower than Double-A if the team so chooses. Continue reading “Padres Prospect Mailbag: August Part 1” »

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Padres Prospect Rap Sheet: August 24, 2011

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Player Update | Prospect Rap Sheet | San Antonio Missions | Tucson Padres - (2 Comments)

Star Performer:

Cory Spangenberg, 2B (Low-A Fort Wayne) – Although he looked like a man among boys in the Northwest League in his first taste of pro ball, Spangenberg struggled to make adjustments during his first 20 games in Fort Wayne.  Since August 6, Spangenberg has posted a .414/.443/.603 slash line in 58 at bats with two home runs, three doubles and a triple.  With this late-season push, he may be in line for an aggressive placement in Lake Elsinore to begin next year if the Padres are satisfied with his progress next spring.  Spangenberg has benefited more than any other 2011 draftee in the experience and value he has gained by signing early.  While many August 15 signees may see 10-15 late season at bats, Spangenberg has already appeared in 59 games and has thrust himself into the conversation among the Top 100 prospects in baseball.

Rock Steady:

Jonathan Galvez, 2B (High-A Lake Elsinore) – With so much of the Padres’ offensive organizational talent residing either with corner infielders or raw, young athletes, there is a legitimate case to be made that Galvez could be the best up-the-middle bat in the system.  With 34 doubles, 13 home runs and 35 stolen bases this season as a 20-year-old Galvez provides a skill set that is difficult to come by at second base.

Jeudy Valdez, SS (High-A Lake Elsinore) – Valdez seems to be making it his personal mission to make me look dumb for leaving him off the August edition of the Organization Top 25.  This month he is carrying a .357/.417/.595 slash line in 22 games.

Rymer Liriano, RF (Low-A Fort Wayne) – What more is there to say about Liriano? A nine-game hitting streak and seven stolen bases during that time has brought his impressive season line to .328/.390/.508 with 11 home runs and 59 stolen bases as a 20-year-old in the pitching-dominated Midwest League.

Kevin Quackenbush, RHP (Low-A Fort Wayne) – Emilio continues his onslaught against professional hitters.  Not only has he not allowed a run since being promoted to Fort Wayne, but Quackenbush has a 0.26 ERA in 34 innings as a pro and has struck out 56 batters over that period. Continue reading “Padres Prospect Rap Sheet: August 24, 2011” »

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Padres Prospect Rap Sheet: August 17, 2011

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

Star Performer:

Keyvius Sampson, RHP (Low-A Fort Wayne) – Sampson is leaving little doubt that he is ready for more difficult competition.  The 2009 4th-round pick has been a force in his last seven outings: 36.1 IP 0.76 ERA 17 H 3 ER 44 K.  The only thing holding him back from a promotion may be the fact that Sampson has already surpassed his career high in innings by 56.2.

Rock Steady:

Robbie Erlin, LHP (Double-A San Antonio) – Erlin caused a major freak out this week in the Padres-fan social media community when he was pulled after just two innings in his Monday start.  It was all part of a plan the San Diego front office has put in place to limit Erlin, Wieland, and Kelly’s innings pitched this season.  Erlin has thrown 135.1 innings this year, 114.2 was his previous career high in 2010.

Rico Noel, CF (Low-A Fort Wayne) – Noel is absolutely on fire.  With six multi-hit games in his last 10 and six stolen bases during that same period, he is beginning to turn more than a few heads in the Midwest League.

Miles Mikolas, RHP (Double-A San Antonio) – Armed with a low-90s fastball and a curveball that sits 78-80, the 6’5” 2009 7th-round pick by the Padres offers a great blend of size and arm strength.  He’s only given up five home runs in 196.1 innings pitched in his pro career, a mark complimented by his 4.76 strikeout per walk rate in his three seasons.  Mikolas hasn’t allowed a run in his last 12 appearances – 13IP – and may get promoted to Triple-A if the Tucson Padres’ bullpen is raided by roster expansion.

Juan Oramas, LHP (Double-A San Antonio) – Two-straight quality starts and the stuff is still plenty filthy.  He seems to be too hittable given the quality of his pitches, but at 21 in Double-A he is young enough to believe the Padres have something special here.

Joe Wieland, RHP (Double-A San Antonio) – It was a very un-Wieland-like outing for the righty this week.  He struck out just two batters and allowed six hits in five innings.  Wieland even hit a batter for good measure.  It was a positive note to see that he was able to pitch well without his best stuff.

Yoan Alcantara, OF (AZL Padres) – This is Alcantara’s second appearance in this category, this time because of a nine-game hitting streak that was snapped on Monday that saw him post a .432/.447/.865 slash line with three home runs, three triples and 15 RBI. Continue reading “Padres Prospect Rap Sheet: August 17, 2011” »

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Padres Prospect Scouting Report: Jace Peterson, SS

Posted by Ryan in Eugene Emeralds | Scouting Reports - (2 Comments)

Jace Peterson - Eugene EmeraldsName: Jace Peterson
Report Date: 2011 NWL Season (Eugene Emeralds – Rookie Level)
Age: 21
Birthplace: Moss Bluff, La
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 200
Bats: L
Throws: R

Overview: The athletically gifted Peterson consistently shows why he was a compensation round – 58th overall – pick for the Padres in 2011.  A raw player, Peterson is still learning the ins and outs of the game both in the field and at the plate. He is a high ceiling player whose overall progression depends on when, and if, he is able to transition from an athlete who plays baseball to an athletic baseball player.

Physical Attributes: Peterson is one of those guys who just looks good wearing a baseball uniform. He has a very athletic build, which should come as no surprise as he was also a wide receiver in college. There is some room for growth left on his frame, but no more than 5-10 lbs. His past days as a wide receiver are evident when watching him run. He has an average arm and a tick above average bat speed both of which show room for growth as he gets more time on the diamond. Continue reading “Padres Prospect Scouting Report: Jace Peterson, SS” »

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Padres Prospect Rap Sheet: August 9, 2011

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Player Update | Prospect Rap Sheet | San Antonio Missions | Tucson Padres - (2 Comments)

Star Performer:

Robbie Erlin, LHP (Double-A San Antonio) – Since joining the Padres Organization all Erlin has done is dominate: 12 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 15 K.  Diving deeper into Erlin’s performance you see that he has retired all 12 left-handed batters and maintained his plus-plus command he showed while with the Rangers.  Could he be inspired by his #1 ranking in the Padres Prospects Top-25?  Probably not.  Erlin’s previous career high in innings was 114.2 in 2010, so don’t be surprised to see shorter outings down the stretch for the 20-year-old.

Rock Steady:

Rymer Liriano, RF (Low-A Fort Wayne) – He was the Padres Prospects Player of the Month in July, and a .318/.370/.455 line in 7 August games isn’t going to disappoint anyone.  Liriano is beginning to be pitched around by teams, so don’t be surprised to see his numbers take a dip.  Also, a .395 BABIP is never a sign of completely sustainable play.

Rico Noel, CF (Low-A Fort Wayne) –With an absurd 94.4% steal success rate, he possess game-changing speed and he obviously knows how to use it.  As a point of reference, 36.2% of the time Noel reaches base he steals a bag.

Kevin Quackenbush, RHP (Low-A Fort Wayne) – 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 10 K since being promoted to the Tin Caps to give him a season line that includes a 0.35 ERA in 27.1 IP since being selected in June’s draft.

Keyvius Sampson, LHP RHP (Low-A Fort Wayne) – Continue reading “Padres Prospect Rap Sheet: August 9, 2011” »

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