BP Padres Top 11

by rdf8585 on Jan 16, 2026 1:28 PM EST

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8419

After a prolonged drought, Goldstein's top 11 series returns with the Padres.

Four-Star Prospects
1. Mat Latos, RHP
2. Kellen Kulbacki, RF
3. Adys Portillo, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
4. Kyle Blanks, 1B
5. Jaff Decker, OF
6. Cedric Hunter, CF
7. Allan Dykstra, 1B
8. James Darnell, 3B
9. Matt Antonelli, 2B
10. Jeremy McBride, RHP
Two-Star Prospects
11. Drew Cumberland, SS

Just Missed: Logan Forsythe, 3B; Will Inman, RHP; Will Venable, OF

Ranking Challenges: Who's number one? You could make an argument for many of the players here, and while I'm confident as to the four-star prospects, there are people who'd add Blanks and Hunter, although both players have their fair share of doubters as well. As for positions 10 and 11, there were ten candidates, which says more about the mediocrity of the system than it does about the talent.

For comparison purposes, here's Sickels' Padres list

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Comments

Clearly doesn't like Inman

Especially with putting him down in the Two-Star category… I’m kind of surprised given how well he’s maintained his results as he moved up the ladder.

by Ophidian on Jan 16, 2026 1:58 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

"maintained...?"

He hasn’t maintained his results. His BB/9 rate has climbed from 2.0 in 2006 to 4.7 in 2008… I think Inman’s stock is serverely hurt. People don’t realize how deep the Padres organization is. I don’t have Inman in my top 15…

by pffriberg on Jan 17, 2026 12:10 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Blanks...

should have been number 2 on this list.

by joegonzo on Jan 16, 2026 2:31 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

portillo over blanks?

Im all for ranking guy with high ceilings and high expectations but the guy hasnt thrown a pitch and blanks has been raking in the minors.

by FishHead on Jan 16, 2026 2:52 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

Typical Goldstein

He has a weakness for children.

by aCone419 on Jan 16, 2026 3:25 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Or he doesn't think Blanks is that special. A 3-star rating indicates that.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 17, 2026 3:17 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Talking about Portillo being a 4 star guy

That has nothing to do with Blanks.

by aCone419 on Jan 17, 2026 12:15 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs

On Portillo

Kevin Goldstein: I think next year you aren’t gong to see him in the box scores except maybe in the Arizona League for a few innings. He’s kind of the definition of a kid; he was born in 1991, which really makes me feel very old. His ranking is a reflection of two things; one it says as much about his talent as it does for what is in the system.

I spent a lot of time following the Michel Inoa story [the 16-year-old pitcher signed by the Oakland A’s for $4.25 million]. A lot of people talked about him being the second best arm in the Dominican, and in a year without Inoa, he would be considered the best arm there. He was a pitcher a lot of teams wanted very much. He has the projection you look for and was much better than the usual arm you would find for that age in the market. He made my top 100 as well, although around the bottom of the list. He was a really nice talent and the ceiling is through the roof, but the key is you really have to exercise patience. He’s not going to be in San Diego in a few years. The Padres need to get him used to being a professional, on an exercise regimen and schedule and to learn what it takes to be a professional player.

http://rockies.scout.com/a.z?s=266&p=2&c=830704

by rdf8585 on Jan 16, 2026 4:39 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Portillo

I thought Santos Franco was considered the second best arm last year out of the Dominican? I know the Cardinals gave him 800,000 dollars, for what thats worth. There must have been a pretty big gap between Inoa and every other kid from the island.

by CoolCat23 on Jan 17, 2026 12:29 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Portillo is from Venezuela

by zywica on Jan 17, 2026 7:14 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Venezuela

Since the Panama Canal separates South America from North America, I guess you can consider Venezuela on a very large island as well.

Or not…

by TRanger on Jan 17, 2026 8:33 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Thank you both

For making me feel foolish. I respect you for it.

by CoolCat23 on Jan 17, 2026 9:19 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs

but...but...

Blanks is likely better than Adrian Gonzalez11

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Jan 16, 2026 3:02 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

!!!!!!!11!!

Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.

by doublestix on Jan 16, 2026 3:02 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs

Kinda...

If you look at their both of them from 27 to 29, yes, I expect Blanks to be a better hitter, but in 2010 (when they both should be in the majors) Gonzalez should out-perform Blanks and Blanks will never be the sublime defender that Adrian is.

by pffriberg on Jan 17, 2026 12:12 AM EST up reply reply 0 recs

John and Kevin qucik comparison

Seem to be far apart on McBryde, LeBlanc and Cumberland.

John didn’t give Cumberland or McBryde honorable mention status.
Kevin returned the favor by doing the same with LeBlanc.

Sogard is also in John’s top 11, but not mentioned by KG.

1-10-DEN 18 (9:52) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 19-E.Royal INTERCEPTED by 93-L.Castillo (95-S.Phillips) at DEN 18. 93-L.Castillo to DEN 14 for 4 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). 6-J.Cutler pouts ob to DEN 25 for 11 yards.

by Wonko on Jan 16, 2026 5:13 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

Decker

Do most feel he’s THAT low? I think his potential warrants him being a 4 star just behind Kulbacki.

by Hunt3r24 on Jan 16, 2026 10:34 PM EST reply reply 0 recs

No...

I think most see him as a 4 or 5 star prospect, but until we know how he handles adversity (i.e. Will he be strict with his physical discipline? How will he fair away from momma’s cookin (Padres’ Rookie ball team is in his home town)? Will his hitting erode if he gains weight? Will develop more power?, etc.)… It’s really hard to gauage ANYONE that high.

I think both Blanks & Hunter should be 4 stars…

by pffriberg on Jan 17, 2026 2:34 PM EST up reply reply 0 recs