Quote from MrPadre19 on July 13, 2025, 7:44 pm

Power and speed!

Now….can he hit better pitching?

That seems to be the concern and it’s a good sized one.

Quote from brent wolff on July 13, 2025, 7:56 pm

More on Wideman from The Athletic's Keith Law:

Wideman is a 70 runner who hit .398/.466/.652 this spring for the Hilltoppers, his first year there after spending two seasons in junior college. He didn’t face much quality pitching this spring, and his chase rate of 40 percent (and 32 percent on pitches well out of the zone) is going to scare off some draft model-heavy teams, although he did make hard contact on half of the balls he put into play. He has a big swing where he gets his front foot down very late, so he’s not getting his hands started on time consistently enough for contact against better pitching. He entered the portal and will transfer to Clemson, where his father played basketball, if he doesn’t sign.

From mlb.com's scouting report (#146):

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The Conference USA Player of the Year, he became the first NCAA Division I player with 35 extra-base hits and 45 steals in the same season since Chris Burke (Tennessee) and Andy Cannizaro (Tulane) in 2001.

One of the toolsiest and more physical college players in the Draft, Wideman is a 6-foot-5, 204-pounder with plus raw power and plus-plus speed. His reads and routes could use some polish in center field, but his quickness still allows him to chase down balls from gap to gap. He has average arm strength and is capable of playing all three outfield spots.

All that said, there's concern about Wideman's ability to handle pro pitching because his chase rates and ground-ball percentage rank among the worst in D-I. He doesn't strike out excessively, but he struggles against velocity, rarely walks and makes a lot of suboptimal contact. A right-handed hitter with a big leg kick, he does a nice job of using the middle of the field but will have to get much more selective at the next level.

Also, ranked #205 on Kiley McDaniel's espn.com top 250.

Quote from fenn68 on July 14, 2025, 2:11 am

As the 99th pick in the draft the Padres looked to have gone the high upside gamble with a low floor given the comments and various rankings.k Also, could be a spot where they save some pool money off a 3rd round slot allocation. Sometime back when Schoolcraft was linked to the Padres there was some question as to them having the allocation money to get him out of his college commitment ... so maybe they have agreed on an over slot deal?

I guess as a side, he does fit a system need for a RHH, power hitting, versatile OF with speed and defense who may get to the ML in less time than a HS player. Still, does sound like a development project for the Padres ... hope the scouts see something the others under rated.

 

Quote from Randy Manese on July 14, 2025, 7:10 am

I think the same concerns can be reflected in our drafting of Fountain and Tears, although neither has the plus plus speed rating of Wideman.  In today's game, if you can hit around .240 but still bang out 30 HRs most of the time a team will find a place in the line-up for that kind of bat.  Seems like he doesn't strike out a lot even though he has a relatively high chase rate, so he's getting the bat on the ball and that shows decent hand-eye coordination.  Has to overcome the Hosmer syndrome of ground ball hitting dominance but he's still a young hitter and could develop a little more elevation in his swing along with better swing judgment.  A developmental prospect for sure, however, seems to have some of the raw tools that could develop - worth a shot in my opinion and we'll know in a couple of years whether this was a good choice.  Padres typically hit more on pitcher speculation vice hitter speculation so only time will tell.  Padres also have done very well in the later rounds of the draft in recent years, so it really doesn't matter where a player is drafted, just whether he can reach major league caliber potential.  It is also possible that Wideman will not sign which I believe will give the Padres a draft choice in the 2026 draft.  Let's see who they land today.

Quote from BoosterSD on July 14, 2025, 7:12 am

Quote from fenn68 on July 14, 2025, 2:11 am

I guess as a side, he does fit a system need for a RHH, power hitting, versatile OF with speed and defense who may get to the ML in less time than a HS player. Still, does sound like a development project for the Padres ... hope the scouts see something the others under rated.

He sounds like an optimal candidate for handling LF. The speed to handle CF, not enough arm for RF, and RHH power that a LFer should have. With Merrill and Tatis locked in for years, all he has to do is look to man LF, and hit around .235 with some pop. Hopefully a tweek in his stride and hands gives him a better hit tool.

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 14, 2025, 7:22 am

Quote from brent wolff on July 13, 2025, 7:56 pm

More on Wideman from The Athletic's Keith Law:

Wideman is a 70 runner who hit .398/.466/.652 this spring for the Hilltoppers, his first year there after spending two seasons in junior college. He didn’t face much quality pitching this spring, and his chase rate of 40 percent (and 32 percent on pitches well out of the zone) is going to scare off some draft model-heavy teams, although he did make hard contact on half of the balls he put into play. He has a big swing where he gets his front foot down very late, so he’s not getting his hands started on time consistently enough for contact against better pitching. He entered the portal and will transfer to Clemson, where his father played basketball, if he doesn’t sign.

From mlb.com's scouting report (#146):

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The Conference USA Player of the Year, he became the first NCAA Division I player with 35 extra-base hits and 45 steals in the same season since Chris Burke (Tennessee) and Andy Cannizaro (Tulane) in 2001.

One of the toolsiest and more physical college players in the Draft, Wideman is a 6-foot-5, 204-pounder with plus raw power and plus-plus speed. His reads and routes could use some polish in center field, but his quickness still allows him to chase down balls from gap to gap. He has average arm strength and is capable of playing all three outfield spots.

All that said, there's concern about Wideman's ability to handle pro pitching because his chase rates and ground-ball percentage rank among the worst in D-I. He doesn't strike out excessively, but he struggles against velocity, rarely walks and makes a lot of suboptimal contact. A right-handed hitter with a big leg kick, he does a nice job of using the middle of the field but will have to get much more selective at the next level.

Also, ranked #205 on Kiley McDaniel's espn.com top 250.

Maybe this is a stupid question?

How is his Overall grade a 40?

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 14, 2025, 7:43 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 14, 2025, 7:22 am

Quote from brent wolff on July 13, 2025, 7:56 pm

More on Wideman from The Athletic's Keith Law:

Wideman is a 70 runner who hit .398/.466/.652 this spring for the Hilltoppers, his first year there after spending two seasons in junior college. He didn’t face much quality pitching this spring, and his chase rate of 40 percent (and 32 percent on pitches well out of the zone) is going to scare off some draft model-heavy teams, although he did make hard contact on half of the balls he put into play. He has a big swing where he gets his front foot down very late, so he’s not getting his hands started on time consistently enough for contact against better pitching. He entered the portal and will transfer to Clemson, where his father played basketball, if he doesn’t sign.

From mlb.com's scouting report (#146):

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 70 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The Conference USA Player of the Year, he became the first NCAA Division I player with 35 extra-base hits and 45 steals in the same season since Chris Burke (Tennessee) and Andy Cannizaro (Tulane) in 2001.

One of the toolsiest and more physical college players in the Draft, Wideman is a 6-foot-5, 204-pounder with plus raw power and plus-plus speed. His reads and routes could use some polish in center field, but his quickness still allows him to chase down balls from gap to gap. He has average arm strength and is capable of playing all three outfield spots.

All that said, there's concern about Wideman's ability to handle pro pitching because his chase rates and ground-ball percentage rank among the worst in D-I. He doesn't strike out excessively, but he struggles against velocity, rarely walks and makes a lot of suboptimal contact. A right-handed hitter with a big leg kick, he does a nice job of using the middle of the field but will have to get much more selective at the next level.

Also, ranked #205 on Kiley McDaniel's espn.com top 250.

Maybe this is a stupid question?

How is his Overall grade a 40?

 

 

Just guessing that the 45 hit plus a 50 power (even if they like raw power) got an added high risk with the comments about his struggling with velocity (he will see that in the pros) and high swing and miss rate (could be better exploited in the pros).

Might be able to correct some of the swing flaws and decision making ... but if he can't hit velocity that really caps his ceiling.

Hopefully the Padres see that differently ... clearly enough to use a 3rd round pick at #99 ... not a spot that has a lot of compelling options ... just players with different needs for development.

Quote from fenn68 on July 14, 2025, 7:58 am

Quote from Randy Manese on July 14, 2025, 7:10 am

I think the same concerns can be reflected in our drafting of Fountain and Tears, although neither has the plus plus speed rating of Wideman.  In today's game, if you can hit around .240 but still bang out 30 HRs most of the time a team will find a place in the line-up for that kind of bat.  Seems like he doesn't strike out a lot even though he has a relatively high chase rate, so he's getting the bat on the ball and that shows decent hand-eye coordination.  Has to overcome the Hosmer syndrome of ground ball hitting dominance but he's still a young hitter and could develop a little more elevation in his swing along with better swing judgment.  A developmental prospect for sure, however, seems to have some of the raw tools that could develop - worth a shot in my opinion and we'll know in a couple of years whether this was a good choice.  Padres typically hit more on pitcher speculation vice hitter speculation so only time will tell.  Padres also have done very well in the later rounds of the draft in recent years, so it really doesn't matter where a player is drafted, just whether he can reach major league caliber potential.  It is also possible that Wideman will not sign which I believe will give the Padres a draft choice in the 2026 draft.  Let's see who they land today.

Guessing the Padres worked out a deal (or at least an understanding) on the terms of signing or they would not have drafted him at this point. Padres (most teams) rarely make picks these days without those understandings (at least at this point in the draft).

Wideman is a Junior and was in the transfer portal to go to Clemson ... so really no commitment to his current situation and should have an understanding that if he attends Clemson his leverage (and bonus) will come out lower as aa SR unless he dominates in 2026 and hits the 1st round ... probably a bad bet. Getting into the pros ... getting professional coaching ... getting to the ML sooner can generate better money potentially.

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 14, 2025, 9:04 am

4th round pick ... Michael Salina RHP, College.

TJ surgery this spring ... so out until late next year. When he was healthy ... big FB pushing the 100 MPH.

Seems like another Preller upside gamble and another potential under slot signing. Would seem beneficial for the kid to sign and get his rehab work done under experience professional guidance vs sitting out a year and try to rebuild his draft value ... maybe in in 2 years?