BA's San Diego Padres Top 10 Prospects List

[Jaypers]

TOP TEN
PROSPECTS
1. Casey Kelly, rhp
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1b
3. Simon Castro, rhp
4. Reymond Fuentes, of
5. Matt Lollis, rhp
6. Cory Lubeke, lhp
7. Jaff Decker, of
8. Donavan Tate, of
9. Drew Cumberland, ss/2b
10. Jason Hagerty, c

BEST
TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Drew Cumberland
Best Power Hitter Anthony Rizzo
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Logan Forsythe
Fastest Baserunner Luis Durango
Best Athlete Donavan Tate
Best Fastball Eugenio Reyes
Best Curveball Casey Kelly
Best Slider Simon Castro
Best Changeup Josh Spence
Best Control Anthony Bass
Best Defensive Catcher Luis Martinez
Best Defensive Infielder Beamer Weems
Best Infield Arm Edinson Rincon
Best Defensive Outfielder Rico Noel
Best Outfield Arm Rymer Liriano

PROJECTED 2014
LINEUP
Catcher Jason Hagerty
First Base Anthony Rizzo
Second Base Drew Cumberland
Third Base Chase Headley
Shortstop Jason Bartlett
Left Field Jaff Decker
Center Field Reymond Fuentes
Right Field Will Venable
No. 1 Starter Mat Latos
No. 2 Starter Casey Kelly
No. 3 Starter Simon Castro
No. 4 Starter Cory Luebke
No. 5 Starter Clayton Richard
Closer Heath Bell

 

[Exposfan]

Wow, what a difference a year makes for Donavan Tate.

 

[Seiya]

Lollis that high? Wow, did not see that coming.

 

[Jared]

I'm shocked Gyorko isn't in the top 10. Not only because I have his elite 1/1, but everywhere that I have read he is pretty high up on some lists.

 

[bozemanbreaker]

I hope Tate can put it together this season .

 

[Jaypers]

Wow, what a difference a year makes for Donavan Tate.

Keep in mind he would have fallen only four spots to # 5 had the A-Gonz trade never happened.

Clearly he's still thought of pretty highly.

 

[t3dudek]

hmm no james darnell either

 

[thefasterblade]

Not an elite farm, but it sure is much improved.

 

[lisu]

I am surprised Ray Fuentes is still so high. Good news since I have a couple of 9.5's autos of him sitting in a box.

 

[padremurph]

Thought Decker would be higher, I think he can have a monster year in the CAL league if he stays healthy.

 

[Jaypers]

I'm shocked Gyorko isn't in the top 10. Not only because I have his elite 1/1, but everywhere that I have read he is pretty high up on some lists.

JAYPERS (IL): How far off the Top 10 did Jedd Gyorko fall, and did he impress you and scouts? What are his shortcomings?

Matthew Eddy: When first-rounder Karsten Whitson spurned the Padres to head to college, Gyorko became the highest Padres draft pick to sign (59th overall). Heading into the draft, a lot of teams liked the West Virginia product because he just has a knack to hit. But Gyorkko's not exactly a conventional prospect. Built along the lines of a catcher, he has just enough quickness to play third base at the pro level. He won't hit a ton of home runs or win any Gold Gloves, but some scouts threw 65 grades on his ability to hit--that could spell a .290 average. He just missed making the Top 10.

 

[MarlinsManiac20]

Thought Decker would be higher, I think he can have a monster year in the CAL league if he stays healthy.

This. Still decent numbers last year when he was healthy. Very surprised he wasn't higher.

 

[Jaypers]

Thought Decker would be higher, I think he can have a monster year in the CAL league if he stays healthy.

This. Still decent numbers last year when he was healthy. Very surprised he wasn't higher.

From his scouting report -

"Decker's lack of athleticism is still an issue, but he got in better shape last year and improved his speed, though it's still below-average. He never will be more than playable on an outfield corner, but he throws well enough to handle right field."

 

[Jaypers]

hmm no james darnell either

Grant (Miami): How many spots did James Darnell fall this year? Thoughts on his season?

Matthew Eddy: Darnell would have made the Top 10 if not for the Gonzalez trade. He's a solid prospect with essentially average grades across the board. He has a thick, muscular lower half and has trouble with his footwork and consistency at third base. The majority of Darnell's 54 errors the past two years have come on throws, but since he has a strong arm, many in the organization are coming around to the idea of trying him in right field. San Antonio's Wolff Stadium just kills hitters, particularly righties. The Missions as a team hit just .226 at home and .263 on the road. Keep that in mind when evaluating Darnell's .265/.348/.408 Double-A batting line. Also bear in mind that he improved in the second half, after coming back in June from a hand injury--actually it was a cyst.

 

[Jaypers]

Not JAYPERS (Not IL): Who is JAYPERS, and why does he always get the first question answered along with many others. He must be someone pretty special.

Matthew Eddy: I suspect he's a mole trying to bring BA down from the inside. But I can't prove it.

 

[t3dudek]

thanks for the james darnell piece. I believe he will be switched to the outfield or to 2nd base.

 

[hive17]

Pretty amazing what one trade can do for (or to) a system and the way prospects get shuffled, especially down.