Quote from Randy Manese on December 20, 2024, 10:19 am

Lizarraga is an interesting prospect because even at his young age he seems to know how to attack hitters despite not having an overwhelming FB.  His control is generally good and he has the secondaries to be successful at higher levels so what can he do or the Padres pitching coaches do to take him to the higher levels?  Could it be just getting more extension in his delivery or hitting the weights and adding bulk for a little more push behind the FB?  The other side of the coin is that these changes could throw off his mechanics and actually make him a lesser prospect than he is today.  I'd like to see Eshelman work with him in San Antonio to open the season and see if there have been any changes in how Lizarraga pitches.  Lizarraga may be the biggest sleeper among all the pitchers I mentioned earlier but it all depends on whether he continues to evolve - got my fingers crossed because he is still very young yet a very smart pitcher.

Quote from Randy Manese on December 20, 2024, 10:35 am

Although injuries have derailed him and he got a late start in baseball, Tyler Robertson is a guy I'm pulling for even though he starts the 2025 season at age 25.   Should start the season in San Antonio, which is a difficult place in which to hit, but if he can keep his K rate below 25% he makes enough hard contact and has the speed to overcome these home park conditions.  Keeping an eye on him and Tears, who might go straight to Hi A, but if in LE to start the season will likely make the trip up there to see a lot of our lower level prospects.  Padres are high on Fountain and Hightower but they both will likely struggle initially.

Romeo Sanabria looked less of a prospect as he moved up to Hi A and then AA, but he still is relatively young.  Likely he will regain his confidence in his eye at the plate but to me the question is whether he will flash enough power for the position he plays.  Looks like he only has 15-20 HR potential at best and not nifty at 1b, so his OBP and BA will have to carry him.  On the other hand, liked what I saw of big Lamar King, Jr., who finally got 200 ABs under his belt - he might be the biggest mover among hitters, however, they might hold him back and see if he can stay behind the plate where he would be more valuable to the organization.

I also liked Kai Roberts and Jack Costello but they could be similar to Marsee and Martorella, old for their leagues and much more experienced because of their college ball.  2025 will show if they have any potential to move up quickly in the system.

Quote from lafnboy13 on December 27, 2024, 2:31 pm

How often do you guys make it out to Lake Elsinore to watch games?

Quote from Randy Manese on December 27, 2024, 2:46 pm

For me, it really depends on whether there are top prospects on the roster.  Most years I go 3-4 times to watch games in person but I watch virtually all their games, home and away, on Milb.com.  This year they are supposed to have some really good pitchers on the team to start the season, so I might go early and see how the season develops.

Quote from lafnboy13 on January 8, 2025, 8:19 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on December 27, 2024, 2:46 pm

For me, it really depends on whether there are top prospects on the roster.  Most years I go 3-4 times to watch games in person but I watch virtually all their games, home and away, on Milb.com.  This year they are supposed to have some really good pitchers on the team to start the season, so I might go early and see how the season develops.

I am closing escrow on a property about a mile away from the stadium. I hope to see some of you there!

Quote from fenn68 on January 11, 2025, 11:05 am

Cole Cummings (3B/OF) at AA has voluntary retired.

Not a top prospect but his departure makes the number of position players in AAA/AA really thin ...

Quote from Randy Manese on January 13, 2025, 8:15 am

Baseball America had a good article on Braden Nett today.  Wasn't aware he was in the Winter Leagues in Puerto Rico from 11/12/24 to 12/05/24, pitching 17.2 innings in 5 starts.   Although a somewhat limited sample, his walk rate (4.6%) was the lowest of any of his previous minor league stops while his K rate (11.7%) was the highest since a 3 inning stint in the ACL back in 2022.  Even with his time in Puerto Rico only pitched 82.2 IP total in 2024, finishing the 2024 regular season with 1 game in San Antonio so his arm should be fresh for the 2025 season.

If he can remain healthy, expect him to be one of the pitching leaders in San Antonio adding to his superior mid to upper level FB, an above average slider and developing change-up with much better command/control.   If he can do that, has a solid chance to jump past Baez and Lowe as the current top RH pitching prospect in the Padres minor league system.  Will be Rule 5 eligible after the 2025 season, so would really like to see him make that jump to the next level and onto the 2026 40-man.

San Antonio staff should be loaded in 2025 but had those same expectations last year and they got hit hard.  Still remains a pitchers park until new downtown facility is built so hope our expectations this year are met.  Top prospect hitters, however, are still further down in the minors.

Quote from Randy Manese on January 16, 2025, 10:38 am

New MadFriars writer Fahrenthold provided the most in-depth analytical review of the Padres top 30 prospects so far.  Welcome, Clark.  Hope we get more of your input during the season.

Quote from fenn68 on January 18, 2025, 9:00 am

What is the current view of Tirso Ornelas as a ML prospect?

He clearly has a open path in 2025 to a LF/DH role. Past scouting reports were down on his hitting / power / arm / speed / defense BUT (even discounting being in EP) his past two minor league season show some positive performance. I will discount the power surge in EP but both in SA (a tough place to hit) and EP he demonstrated a very low K% and the ability to take a BB. So apparently a patient hitter with good bat to ball skills.

Tie him with V.Rodriguez who embraces that skill set ... could he deliver at least a 240/320/380 slash line? He would be just a bottom of the order bat so offense is not relying on him and no real competition on the roster.

Not looking for a "star" but just not an embarrassment in LF (or DH).