Listing teenage prospects within the Padres’ system
Credit: Bill Mitchell/Baseball America
19-year-old prospects
CJ Abrams- (INF) Born: 10/03/2000
Already one of the top prospects in the farm system, Abrams has a very high ceiling. The left-handed hitter barrels up the baseball consistently and has top-notch athletic ability. There is talk he could play center field eventually for the team as the Padres are full of infield prospects.
Ryan Weathers- (LHP) Born: 12/17/1999
He just turned 20 but made this list to emphasize the youth in this organization. The left-handed pitcher had an up and down year in 2019 but showed well overall. His fastball velocity fluctuated a bit, but that is to be expected since this was his first taste of full-season ball. Weathers has the pedigree to succeed and should have no issues advancing through the system.
Tirso Ornelas– (OF) Born: 03/11/2000
Ornelas had a down year in Lake Elsinore in 2019 but is still very young. He made some minor swing adjustments at the end of the year and looked much better with his swing. The left-handed swing has a very high upside with plenty of power and bat to ball skills. He is a decent athlete and will not be a burden in the outfield moving forward.
Joey Cantillo– (LHP) Born: 12/18/1999
Cantillo is just about to turn 20 and made it to Lake Elsinore during the 2019 season. He shows a plus changeup, and the velocity is increasing on his fastball. The southpaw has a funky motion and throws strikes. Cantillo also shows a high baseball IQ and an incredible work ethic. The native Hawaiian will be a good one.
Gabriel Arias– (INF) Born: 02/27/2000
The defensive wizard is starting to swing a more productive bat. He has a long swing but is showing promise as far as power is concerned. Arias performed well in 2019 and could be poised to put up better numbers in the Texas League with the Sod Poodles.
Justin Lopez- (INF) Born: 05/09/2000
There is a lot to like about Lopez, who is amazingly still a teenager. He has two full years of service time in Fort Wayne, where he was the youngest player to play there in 2018. The switch-hitter has plus power and great size (6-foot-2) but needs to walk more and cut down on the strikeouts. Defensively, he can play all over the infield.
Brandon Valenzuela– (C) Born: 10/02/2000
Switch-hitting catchers are rare, and this product out of Mexico is starting to produce. He has shown a great eye at the plate where he has recorded a .387 on-base percentage in 343 at-bats. There is not a lot of power presently, but he will take a walk and is well-regarded for his defense behind the plate.
Yeison Santana- (INF) Born: 12/07/2000
This right-handed hitter out of the Dominican Republic had a breakout year of sorts in the desert this year. He produced a .923 OPS in 41 games and 162 at-bats for the AZL Padres 2 team. He has a short swing and will use all fields. The power is developing though he will likely never be a major home run threat. There are some defensive concerns with him at shortstop presently.
Efrain Contreras- (RHP) Born: 01/02/2000
He pitched well at Fort Wayne last year, recording a 6-6 record with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.176 WHIP. The Mexican pitcher struck out 121 in 109.2 innings and will likely start the season in Lake Elsinore. The Padres have a deep pitching-rich system, and Contreras is an example of how they have many hurlers flying under the radar.
Luarbert Arias- (RHP) Born: 12/12/2000
Quietly, Arias has thrown well for the Padres in the last two seasons. He owns a career 3.51 ERA, and a 1.120 WHIP 24 games and 100 innings pitched between the AZL and Tri-City. The Venezuelan pitcher throws strikes and works fast.
Jeferson Garcia- (RHP) Born: 02/04/2000
This Venezuelan pitcher has a power arm. He has struck out 133 batters in 106.1 innings pitched at the minor league level but also has 60 earned runs. He can be wild in and out of the zone, and that needs to be fixed if he wants to climb the affiliate ladder.
Vladimir Echavarria– (INF) Born: 04/12/2000
With a career on-base percentage of .410 in 274 at-bats in the minor leagues, Echavarria is worth noting. The right-handed hitter does not have a lot of power and strikes out a lot too. He will need to refine his approach at the plate to truly progress in the system.
Jarryd Dale– (INF) Born: 09/11/2000
The Australian native continues to struggle with the bat, though he did record a .703 OPS in the AZL. His right-handed swing can get a bit long and there is little power to his game. He has yet to homer in 233 minor league at-bats and brings no speed element to his game. Youth is still on his size, though he will need to continue to develop more offensive firepower.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.
Mr.dodge is right we need to be patient .stop trading guys like turner away .pods have called up alot of young talent,so have the cubs ,dodgers.rizzo was a padre.i believe that its more as bout the owners being patient .but if you want betts ,you will hsve to give up a yates and hosmer salary to sign him.maybe move richards to the pen and let castillo start.there are a few guys still ou th there.is cashner still available.
How many of the 16-year-olds from 2016 (or ’17, or ’18) did you think should have stuck by now?
It’s nice to see such a young crop of talent coming up… But seriously, we’ve been talking about prospects their talents for years now. When is SOMEONE (homegrown) gonna stick???
Lowell! Ole Miss = “Olay Miss” If you get what I’m saying ; )
I could not agree with you more. All we have heard the past few seasons is prospects and the best farm system in the major leagues. Where is the hitting? We traded away 60 plus home runs. For what? We traded away a young second baseball for another 213 hitter
San Diego get ready for a 75 win season with the pitching staff you currently have.
Tatis stuck.
Paddack stuck.
Luchessi stuck.
Lamet stuck.
Reyes stuck and helped us get Trammell.
Munoz stuck.
Quantrill, Baez, Naylor, France, Bednar, Bolanos, and possibly Gore and Patino are all positioned to produce next year.
Prospects are a numbers game. You need 10 good ones to yield 1 good major leaguer. Not sure where people get their expectations.
Love reading about the young talented Padres! Keep the pipeline going! Credit to the GREAT scouts who, while behind the scenes, are making the organization better every day! Keep working young Padres! You will be in the Big League soon!
Intriguing topic, and article. Thanks
You are welcome. Thank you for the support to the site.
James,
What ever happened to a young pitcher named Partida? I dont see him listed in any of your prospect lists, but it seems like he had a lot of promise at one time.
He was hurt all of last year… I like him very much. I probably should have included the 19-year-old left-handed pitcher. Good call.