San Diego Padres Organization Discussion

Definately help this systems overall depth and grade.

I think I’d go with Castro 1 and Kelly 2 for now though.

I am very interested to get some feedback on Donavan Tate & Everett Williams.

I know Tate has had injury troubles but the talent is still there.
Williams had a horrible year.

I think this is a good system—especially with the addition of the Boston trio: Castro, Decker, Darnell, Cumberland, Keyvius, & Gyorko.

Keyvius may be one of my favorite low level SP prospects.

There are a couple of young lefties from their Latin American program that really flew under the radar last year despite strong performances…
Juan Oramas didn’t turn 20 until May and posted a 3.00 ERA and 90/26 ratio in 88 Cal League innings. He’s a lefty with solid pop on his fastball. He led the Mexican League in ERA in 2009 (as a 19 year old), and because he was out of the country, few people noticed him coming into the year. B- guy to me right now.
Coming back from surgery, Jose DePaula, 20, had a nice campaign on rationed innings in Ft. Wayne. Because of the injury and only working 85 innings in 2010, I think he’s off most radar screens right now. I don’t believe he will be in 12 months. FB velocity was most of the way back in his last few starts, and he could be a big jumper as a lefty starter this year. B-/C+ guy now, with significant opportunity to move up this year.

Not nearly as much of a sleeper on the mound is Matt Lollis, who has a chance to be really special and will likely open the year in Elsinore. My guess is as they let him loose with his breaking stuff a bit more this season (they really harped on developing the change last year), his K rate will go up. With his fastball starting to catch up to his size, he could easily be at the top of the list next year. I might put him #5 on the list right now and think he’s a B at the moment.

Last name worth watching this year is Drew Miller, who came back from TJ surgery in late June. Really liked his heavy fastball before the injury and think he’s an upside C+ prospect right now.

Blake Tekotte – He has the combination of tools and skills to play CF in Petco Park. He hit the tar out of the ball in the Cal League, and had a very solid .832 OPS once he got promoted … if you only look at his road numbers. I really think the combination of league split and major suppression by Lew Wolff Stadium masked what was a very good year for him. At the very least, he’ll probably carve out a career as a reserve outfielder, with upside as a starter in center. C+/B-
Dan Robertson – He’s too old, too small and doesn’t look the part, but all he does is get on base. He doesn’t strike out; he’s a smart baserunner and he’s a guy you have to root for. They moved him to 2B in instructs and is apparently the reason they were willing to trade away Cole Figueroa (who was on the top of my Padre sleeper list before that move). Not anything more than a C, but he’s not a guy to bet against.
Jason Hagerty – generally disregarded before 2010, he answered the questions about whether he could stay behind the plate, and posted a 900 OPS as a switch-hitter in the process. He’ll be 23 next year and it will be interesting to see if they jump him to San Antonio over the better receiver in front of him, Robert Lara. I’m guessing he spends the first half in Elsinore. B-.