[존 시켈스] 샌디에고 파드레즈, 유망주 TOP 20

존 시켈스가 샌디에고 파드레즈의 유망주 랭킹을 올렸습니다. 포수 유망주인 헤지스가 1위를 차지한 가운데 무려 13명의 선수가 B-이상의 등급을 받았네요. 그리고 최대 6명의 선수가 B+등급을 받을 수 있는 뎁스와 수준을 갖춘 팜이네요. 물론 이팀 유망주들은 상위 레벨에 갈 수록 평가가 박해진다는 약점이 있지만....

1) Austin Hedges, C, Grade B+: Outstanding reviews for his defense in Low-A, and he showed a lot more power than expected. Catchers have unusual development curves sometimes so it will be interesting to see how this works out at higher levels, but he's emerged as one of the top backstop prospects in the game.

2) Jedd Gyorko, 3B-2B, Grade B+: Ready for the majors now, so a fantasy owner in many cases should rank him ahead of Hedges. His bat is legit, maybe not a 30-homer guy but double-digits certainly with a good batting average and OBP. Blocked at third base. Although scouting reports about his glove at second are unenthusiastic, his defensive statistics at second are actually very strong, albeit in a small sample. Make of that what you will.

3) Rymer Liriano, OF, Grade B+: Borderline B. Extremely impressive to see in person, the tools really stand out and sometimes he shows the skills to make them work. Given his age, I will continue to cut him some slack, but he does carry risk.

4) Casey Kelly, RHP, Grade B: Borderline B+. I have really struggled with this one. He was very impressive this year but the elbow thing worries me enough to make me hesitate about putting a + on there, plus I still see him as more of a 3/good 4 than a true anchor or ace.

5) Robbie Erlin, LHP, Grade B: Borderline B+. Like Kelly, he pitched great but had an elbow problem that makes me hesitate a bit. I expect both of these guys will be valuable mid-rotation starters and are ready for full trials now.

6) Max Fried, LHP, Grade B: Borderline B+. Higher ceiling than Kelly or Erlin, but not as far along the development path. I want to see more pro innings before going with the plus on the grade.

7) Matt Wisler, RHP, Grade B: 19 year old right-hander drafted in seventh round from Ohio high school in 2011 gained 8 MPH on fastball and dominated the Midwest League (2.53 ERA, 113/28 K/BB in 114 IP). Good curveball and changeup. A very very good prospect who deserves more attention.

8) Keyvius Sampson, RHP, Grade B-: Command problems resulted in 5.00 ERA in Texas League, but K/IP and H/IP marks remained strong, still shows plus fastball and changeup. Needs to keep working on breaking stuff.

9) Donn Roach, RHP, Grade B-: Has the best sinker in the minor leagues and knows how to use it, mixing it with solid splitter and curveball. Combined 11-2, 1.88 ERA in 105 innings with 78/22 K/BB, 3.53 GO/AO in his first year as a starter. Should develop into mid-rotation workhorse.

10) Joe Ross, RHP, Grade B-: Tyson Ross's brother, Joe throws very hard (mid-90s) and shows a promising curveball and changeup, had command issues in Low-A but was effective in short-season ball. Upside of a number two starter but still enough questions to be cautious with the grade.

11) Cory Spangenberg, 2B, Grade B-: Hit .271/.324/.352 with 27 steals in 98 games in High-A, spent a month on the DL after getting hit in the head. I don't think he hit as well as was advertised, but at age 21 he has lots of time on the clock.

12) Walker Weickel, RHP, Grade B-: 2012 supplemental first round pick draws comparisons to a young Adam Wainright due to size, projection, and stuff. Very high ceiling arm but we need to see him in action.

13) Zach Eflin, RHP, Grade B-: Another supplemental first round 2012 high school pick with a high ceiling and upper-rotation upside. Needs to show that health concerns from last spring are not a long-term issue.

14) Brad Boxberger, RHP, Grade C+: Very good stuff, needs to sharpen up his command to get a shot as a major league closer and won't repeat 2.60 ERA in the majors without a lower walk rate. Nothing left to prove in the minors though.

15) James Darnell, 3B-OF, Grade C+: Another one with little left to prove in the minors, should provide solid power production if they can find a spot in the outfield for him.

16) Jace Peterson, SS, Grade C+: Athletic shortstop showed intriguing leadoff skills in Low-A with 62 walks, .378 OBP, 51 steals. Might develop more power as he was considered rather raw for a college guy, having been more of a football player at McNeese State. 

17) Burch Smith, RHP, Grade C+: Inning-eating fly ball pitcher from University of Oklahoma pounded strike zone in High-A, 3.85 ERA with 137/27 K/BB in 129 innings. Often overlooked in a prospect-rich system, but in other organizations he would be getting a lot of play as a possible number four starter. Breakthrough candidate in Double-A? This might look too low a year from now, but in this system he has a lot of competition for slots on this list.

18) John Barbato, RHP, Grade C+: 1.84 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 52 hits in 73 innings in Low-A on basis of blistering fastball and good curve. Needs better command (31 walks) but definite closer possibilities. 

19) Matt Andriese, RHP, Grade C+: Inning-eater ground ball type from UC-Riverside pounded strike zone in High-A, 3.58 ERA with 131/38 K/BB, 1.75 GO/AO in 146 innings. Can develop into a number four starter or a good middle reliever.

20) Matt Stites, RHP, Grade C+: Short (5-11) but athletic closer with fastball that can touch upper 90s posted ridiculous numbers in Low-A (0.74 ERA, 60/3 K/BB in 49 innings, 25 hits) then followed up with strong Arizona Fall League performance. 

OTHER GRADE C+ GUYS: Yeison Asencio, OF: Jonathan Galvez, 2B; Frank Garces, LHP; Travis Jankowski, OF; Tommy Medica, 1B-C; Kevin Quackenbush, RHP; Adys Portillo, RHP; Edinson Rincon, "3B"; Joe Wieland, RHP. All of these guys have a plausible case to rank in the 15-20 range.

OTHERS: Jeremy Baltz, OF; Wilfredo Boscan, RHP; Jaff Decker, OF; Reymond Fuentes, OF; Cody Hebner, RHP; Roman Madrid, RHP; James Needy, RHP; Dane Phillips, C; Donavan Tate, OF; Jeudy Valdez, SS; Everett Williams, OF.