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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 Continue reading “Padres Prospect Mailbag: January” »

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Padres Organizational Audit: Shortstop

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

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 –

Jason Bartlett

Bartlett was half of the duo – along with Orlando Hudson – brought in last offseason to help solidify the middle infield positions in San Diego.  After an All Star campaign in 2009 and a disappointing 2010 Bartlett scuffled with the Padres to the tune of a .245/.308/.307 slash line, making him one of the few players to have an on-base percentage higher than his slugging percentage.  The Padres have $7 million committed to Bartlett – covering his 2012-guaranteed salary and a 2013 buyout – and a $5.5 million club option for ‘13.

Alberto Gonzalez

Obtained just three days before Opening Day last March, Gonzalez offered San Diego a very versatile player who is able play average to above average defense at every infield position.  Unfortunately Gonzalez offers little with the bat – a career .262 wOBA – so all of his value lies in his defensive flexibility.  He is a second-year arbitration eligible player this offseason but shouldn’t receive a huge salary increase.

Andy Parrino

Parrino has been an invaluable asset to the Padres since coming into the organization in 2007.  In 2011 Parrino was Tucson’s shortstop and second baseman until Beemer Weems suffered a season-ending injury and Parrino was asked to be a utility player in San Antonio to hold down the defense on the prospect-rich team.  Accepting this demotion earned Parrino much praise within the organization and propelled him to a late-season cup of coffee in San Diego.  Although it was clear Parrino’s bat wasn’t ready, the patience he showed at the plate and defensive versatility in the field may have earned in him a spot on the 2012 big league roster.

Top Prospect – Continue reading “Padres Organizational Audit: Shortstop” »

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