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#1641 · August 16, 2021, 3:17 pm
Quote from Randy Manese on August 16, 2021, 2:48 pmThe high minors were gutted by trades but the very low minors are showing well, especially Lake Elsinore hitters. While Angeles and Hassell are having outstanding seasons, the guy I like is the young catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Still not as polished defensively as he could be but has the tools to be very good behind the plate; at the plate, sees a lot of pitches and has gotten a lot stronger as evidenced by an increase in extra-base hits and slugging percentage. Will probably have to be protected from Rule 5 but worth opening a slot for him since he could jump over Hi A to AA next year. Our best catching prospect not named Campusano.
Agree again … probably replaces Rivas on the 40 man with a good chance of being in AA. More so IF Campusano gets traded.
Fortunately neither Hassell nor Angeles have to be protected this winter and both have a shot at AA in 2022.
Probably will not be protected (and probably not selected as a low A hitter) but let’s keep an eye out for Angel Solarte a young OF who according to the MadFriar’s comments has added bulk and is starting to take off as a hitter in LE. As I recall from a few years back, when he was really young and less physical there were some good reports on his potential. Maybe it is coming together.
#1642 · August 16, 2021, 3:31 pm
Padres may have an interesting call on a few of the AA bats for Rule 5 protection … partly considering taking (and keeping) AA bats is not the preferred plan by most teams.
The three I am thinking of have some potential and some level of performance to warrant consideration … maybe the last month helps the decison:
1. Eguy Rosario … only 21-22 in AA … middle INF … has hit (and slumped) … might be a useful 2022 call-up INF
2. E. Ruiz … now an RHH OF with speed … still relatively young … has hit (and slumped) … RHH (not much power) … might be a useful 2022 call-up OF. With the likelihood of Pham and Marisnick gone and keeping O’Grady only a maybe … bit thin on OF support for 2022.
3. A. Ruiz … a LHH OF who can play all three slots … developed in game power but a lot of Ks … also still young … see E. Ruiz for the call-up potential logic.
Will not protect all three and very unlikely two but a chance for one … just no idea who sticks out in their minds and potentially getting selected (and kept) via Rule 5
#1643 · August 16, 2021, 5:47 pm
That lost 2020 developmental season would have made this decision easier and I agree that all three deserve some consideration. Cordoba aside, my choice is Agustin Ruiz. Besides greatly increasing his power numbers, he has a reasonable BB% (around 10%) and seems to be handling his K% better; we'll see how he does at San Antonio for the remainder of the season. A Ruiz is most likely to get more interest from rebuilding teams than either Eguy Rosario or Esteury Ruiz because the former is a good but not exceptional fielder and the latter can only play the OF with a lesser overall game (potential OBP and SA) than A Ruiz. In my opinion, Katoh and Kivlehan are probably just as good as "prospects" as E Rosario and E Ruiz and don't expect either to be put on or stay on the 40 man. With maybe one or two exceptions, the kids at Lake Elsinore, the Arizona Complex League and possibly the Dominican Summer League will be the next wave of possible impact position players who are not named Abrams and Campusano.
#1644 · August 17, 2021, 10:54 am
MadFriars@madfriars" data-scribe="element:screen_name">@madfriars
RHP Jordan Guerrero is undergoing Tommy John surgery today. Guerrero was placed on the IL, along with El Paso pitchers Aaron Leasher and Kyle McGrath. Corresponding roster moves have yet to be announced.
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None of the three appear to be more than "token" ML fill at best ... still never like to see players go down with injury.
EP had a lot of pitchers active on their roster so may not back fill all three for the lower levels ... especially IF they want room for whomever gets optioned down from the Padres for the add of Arrieta (and any other signing) plus the return (maybe) of Darvish, Paddack, and Lamet.
#1645 · August 17, 2021, 1:39 pm
Evan Miller and Steve Wilson- either of these options for SD this year or next?
#1646 · August 17, 2021, 1:54 pm
Quote from WindsorUK on August 17, 2021, 1:39 pmEvan Miller and Steve Wilson- either of these options for SD this year or next?
I would bet on Wilson (and he probably will be added to the 40 man this winter).
They like Miller but probably has not done enough to warrant a 40 man slot but still could impact the 2022 team.
#1647 · August 18, 2021, 11:12 am
A Victor Acosta sighting in the DSL with him hitting his 2nd HR of the season and getting his average over 300 and OPS over 900 since the early part of the season. He also stole his 16th base in that first game of a DH against a very good Blue Jay team. Fielding still a little rough, but Padres keep finding these quality middle infielders despite trading away a slew of them in the last two years.
With the win, Padres DSL team at .750 winning percentage and the best in the league at the moment.
#1648 · August 19, 2021, 7:54 am
MLBPipeline just issued it new Top Prospect lists. Some observations:
1. 16 of the Padres Top 30 are in Low A (LE) or Rookie / DSL … somewhat a reflection of all the trades of prospects over the past year+.
2. 5 of the Top 30 are out of the recent draft: Wood (#5); Merrill (#6); Gasser (#10); Ferguson (#20); and Kopps (#25).
Top 10: Abrams; Campusano; Hassell; Gore; … all four in MLB Top 100 ….. Wood; Merrill; Mears; Lange; Knehr; Gasser.
To note LE’s Angeles (#13) and Valenzuela (#19) are beginning to get some recognition as legit prospects.
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For the optimist all the prospects in the lower levels represent a new wave of talent coming …. For the pessimist all the players in the lower levels listed are only there because they needed to have a list of 30 and the prospects in AAA/AA/A+ are not even worth considering. We will see in 2-4 years.
#1649 · August 19, 2021, 9:06 am
Note on the new Top 30 ... seven players become eligible for Rule 5 selection but very unlikely some would be added to the 40 man (or selected if exposed).
I am guessing 3 or 4 get added to the 40 man: #4 Gore; #19 Valenzuela (yes only in low A but a catcher that looks to be able to hit so vulnerable); #21 Wilson (RP in AAA doing well ... safe bet to get selected if exposed but more the Padres may actually need him in 2022); then maybe #28 Martinez (clearly a breakthrough at 24 in AA and pitching in the near term is always a need but do some see his minor league success not translating into the ML?). Except for Valenzuela ... the other three could see time in SD in 2022.
The remaining three: #15 Rosario (21, INF in AA hot and cold); #23 Contreras (21, RHP, missed 2021 with TJ); #27 A.Ruiz (21, OF, on the rise but still a strikeout profile). Low chance any are selected (or kept) and the loss would to be critical in the near term.
As usual part of the decision is the composition of the rest of the 40 man roster ... and who would get dropped to make room. IF the Padres are thinking contender ... and recognize injuries / under performance happen ... might opt to keep options in the minors that could help in 2022 over mid-range prospect that are not likely to help.
#1650 · August 19, 2021, 12:31 pm
Ben mentioned Joe Beimel in his minor report.
Good chance we see him in SD when rosters expand? Otherwise, what was the point of bringing him out of retirement?