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#3121 · August 11, 2024, 10:37 pm
Another great effort by Omar Cruz. Faced the minimum of 18 batters in 6 innings, although he gave up 2 hits (both were not struck very hard but got by Batten playing 2b). Threw mostly fastballs and changeups, topping out at 93 with his FB so don't know how effective he would be in the majors with just those two pitches; also throws an occasional curve, but doesn't seem to have confidence in it. Has good location, works quickly and very good poise on the mound.
Will be at the game tomorrow and see how Musgrove fares. He likely is on a short string, which is why they didn't use Edwards since he would be the long man if Musgrove struggles. If both Musgrove and Edwards struggle, I can see Cruz being brought up after the Pirates series; this will also take a little pressure off Morejon, who is way past his previous maximum innings pitched this year. Got my fingers crossed that Musgrove will show well tomorrow.
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#3122 · August 13, 2024, 1:22 pm
All four of the Padres stateside minor league teams are at home this week, so hopefully all will make a great showing. Way down in the Dominican Summer League (regular season ends on 8/20), both Padres teams have struggled unlike last year when the Padres Gold squad went to the playoffs. There is one pitcher, however, who is doing remarkably well in 48 IP while playing for the Brown and then the Gold team; he currently has a 0.98 WHIP and a 2.44 ERA which are well below average in a league typified by Wild Pitches, Passed Balls, Balks and generally ragged play on defense. What is even more remarkable is the pitcher, Manuel Ivanov Davila, just turned 17 years old 5 days ago and is somewhat undersized at 6:00 and 140 pounds!
Not saying that Davila has the skills to be a super prospect, but at least someone to track as he likely moves to the next level in 2025. This is the fun of following the minors and seeing where these guys who literally come out of nowhere end up. Padres have done a great job identifying latent pitching talent, whether it is on the international front or undrafted free agents, and developing that talent over the past 2 years. This is something they had not been known for but I'm glad to see it's finally happening.
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#3123 · August 13, 2024, 3:07 pm
#3124 · August 14, 2024, 6:55 am
Just because it is so unique, reporting the second appearance at Lake Elsinore of Zack (Zimo) Qin (pronounced "kin"), who was born in Nanjing, China. I think this is the first ever Chinese player in the Padres system and he hasn't looked bad at all this year. Has a decent fastball (didn't see any radar gun readings for him) and a big overhand curve with improving control; might have other pitches but I didn't see them in his short outing last night. Qin got a late start in the ACL this year because of injury, but pitched 32 innings last year as a 17/18 year old. Another Padres find - we'll see how he finishes the season in Low A to get a better idea of his prospect status.
#3125 · August 14, 2024, 7:20 am
Thanks for the link LynchMob.
What does everyone think of the new prospect rankings?
#3126 · August 14, 2024, 12:23 pm
Generally, I think the 2024 draftees and international signee Cruz are rated too high and pitchers already in our organization are rated too low. I would put Nett and Haynes at the same level as Lowe. I would flip Ornelas and Verdugo and put drop Valenzuela between them. If Paplham is healthy, he should be ranked ahead of both Reynolds and Sandridge as a RP prospect with Reynolds dropping behind Bergert. Omar Cruz and Romeo Sanabria are both having good years and have a chance to move up to the mid-teens in this ranking.
Without any minor league at bats, I'd drop Tears, Fountain and Hightower just ahead of the aforementioned Ornelas-Valenzuela-Verdugo grouping. Without pitching an inning in the minors, I'd put Mayfield, Bateman and H Cruz just after Lizarraga and Neighbors just below Jacob. Lots of pitchers - few hitter on this list. Others are emerging - just using the list provided.
My list looks more like this:
- Salas
- De Vries
- Baez
- Lowe
- Nett
- Haynes
- Lizarraga
- Mayfield
- Bateman
- H Cruz
- Rodriguez
- Pena
- Tears
- Fountain
- Hightower
- O Cruz
- Sanabria
- Ornelas
- Valenzuela
- Verdugo
- Jacob
- Neighbors
- Paplham
- Sandridge
- Candiotti
- Bergert
- Reynolds
- Krob
- Kemp
- D Morgan
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#3127 · August 14, 2024, 9:07 pm
Thanks Randy.
I’m surprised to see Cruz that low on your list. You’re the one who pointed out how well he’s been pitching in the minors, so I figured that he’d be higher. Besides, he’s having success in AAA in a league where no pitcher seems to succeed.
#3128 · August 14, 2024, 9:58 pm
Pipeline ranks on potential ceiling/impact. Omar Cruz likely has a lower ceiling than those above him, but that doesn't make him less valuable in real life contributions at the major league level. Guys that are slotted for long relief and don't have great velocity, tend to be held back until they have a very long track record so time in the majors usually comes later in their careers.
Think Martin Perez "light" as O Cruz' ceiling, which could be very valuable if Peralta does not come back, Morejon suddenly has an injury and Matsui loses his newly found command. We have Cosgrove for short LHP stints but no one who can go a little longer if needed. I see Omar Cruz as that guy to effectively eat those innings down the stretch run should something unexpected happens that strains the current BP staff.
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#3129 · August 15, 2024, 5:36 am
Randy, surprised to see that RHSP Garrett Hawkins did not make your list, even though he is recovering from Tommy John surgery. I know he is in out-of-sight, out-of-mind sitution, but if he was healthy, where would he rank on the list, if at all?
#3130 · August 15, 2024, 8:51 am
Brent, thanks for asking that question. I only used the names that were provided by MLB. Hawkins is one I would have added but cautiously placed in the 20's because of his return from TJ surgery. Back in 2022, he had a dominant first half and looked as good as Iriarte. Padres tinkered with his delivery and pitch mix and he took awhile for him to adjust but by time he was injured, I thought he had found his rhythm again and was pitching very well. Not sure he'll be able to come back a SP but can be a high leverage RP. For that reason, if healthy, I can see him all the way to #13, just below Francis Pena and hope he dominates once again.
Note: While it is interesting to see the 2024 college draftees have very good success at LE, it is pretty much expected given the level of most of their competition. What is more interesting is the late adds to the LE pitching roster from the ACL. Teenagers like Salazar, Qin and Olmeido all have flashed great stuff but been inconsistent; this is a chance to see if they have what it takes to move up like Pinales and Pena did after last year's auditions. Padres coaches are really developing some intriguing arms at the lower levels and you have to give Preller & crew credit for finding them and the organization for finally investing in their development. Wouldn't be surprised if they tried to squeeze in Humberto Cruz before the LE season ends.
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