Padres Top 10 Prospects Discussion

by pffriberg on Jun 13, 2025 12:01 PM EDT Comment 13 comments

I started listing players who were in last year’s top 10, some new additions, and some breakout candidates for the list and the conversation and mental review after the discussion led to this post… Thanks Geoff!

(listed alphabetically)

Kyle Blanks

Blanks isn’t setting the world on fire by hitting .266/.383/.473 but he does have 20 XBH (8 2B, 1 3B, and 11 HR) while splitting duty between 1B and learning LF. His proximity to the Majors and his career numbers put him near the top of the Padre prospect rankings.

Drew Cumberland

There may be no player on this list more important to the Padres’ system. Cumberland is every bit the athlete that prognosticators say the system lacks. On top of that he plays SS. The biggest knock on Cumberland is that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Even this year he’s missed some time… When he has been healthy, he’s hit well (with the expected lack of power) .304/.378/.392 and going 9-0 in stolen bases attempts. Cumberland lacks the talent to be a top-5 pick, but is almost certainly a top 10 prospect.

James Darnell

Darnell is considered a 5-tool 3B talent. He’s probably too advanced of a hitter to be in Low-A but he’s blocked by fellow discussion listee, Logan Forsythe. Darnell is hitting .294/.453/.497 with 22 of his 55 hits going for extra bases (13 2B, 2 3B, and 7 HR). Lots of minor league experts have Darnell on their watch lists and Baseball America ranked him in the Padres’ top 10 last off-season.

Jaff Decker

Jaff Decker was rated by Baseball America as the #3 Padres prospect going into this season. And so far he’s done nothing to lower expectations. Despite missing time recovering from a concussion Decker is hitting .283/.455/.543 with 9 doubles and 8 home runs on 127 AB so far this season. He’s a near-lock to remain in the top 5.

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Poll

Who is the Padres top prospect (assuming they sign D. Tate)?

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Read More: Kyle Blanks (1B - SDP), San Diego Padres

Comments

I can't see anyone but Latos

Tate is a nice raw package, but there’s definitely questions and Latos is producing at a higher level. Portillo and Decker are too far away for me to see any way their upside would be enough to overcome Latos’ edge on development.

by toonsterwu on Jun 13, 2025 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Decker

I voted Decker..but I do see the thinking that he is far away. Latos and Blanks would be a good choice. I do think 12 months from now that it will be Decker. Anyone see him getting a look at Hi-A anytime this year?

by NYSOX on Jun 13, 2025 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cumberland

Even when healthy, the assertion that he’s definitely a SS is not yet anything close to a given.

by realitypolice on Jun 13, 2025 5:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Cumberland can't stick at SS

where does he go? 2B? 3B? CF? I’m curious as I got him as kind of a “throw in” in a trade in a dynasty league.

RIP Nick Adenhart

by gatling on Jun 13, 2025 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2B?

He doesn’t really have the skillset for a regular 3B. Almost certain that he goes to 2B where he’d profile as your typical slap-hitting middle infielder with some wheels.

by mrkupe on Jun 13, 2025 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lake Elsinore staff

I’d include Pelzer, McBryde, and Hefner for guys that could be included for top 10 consideration. Simon Castro may work his way up to that territory by the end of the season, too.

by jibs on Jun 13, 2025 6:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gave it a shot off top of my head (assumes draft class will sign)

1. Latos
2. Dacker
3. Tate
4. Darnell
5. Blanks
6. Forsythe
7. Williams
8. Inman
9. Portillo
10. Kulbacki
11. Galvez
12. Cumberland
13. Sampson

Latos and Dacker are pretty close to even in my mind, but Latos has a little bit more experience a couple levels higher and his upside as a potential impact arm edges out Dacker’s frickin awesome bat. Tate could easily jump to the top but will just need to show what kind of hitting ability he has at this point. I absolutely love James Darnell, and have never been 100 percent sold on Blanks as an impact guy. Not thrilled by Kulbacki at the moment . . .when you are an all-bat guy who has only hit in the best hitting environment in pro baseball, and you aren’t hitting right now, that’s majorly bad.

A mixed bag for the farm system thus far this year. Darnell looks great, Forsythe looks good, Dacker is amazing, and Latos has stayed healthy. On the other hand, Kulbacki has disappeared and Dykstra is basically already a bust. Overall though the depth looks way better than it did this time last year, so they’re doing something right.

by mrkupe on Jun 13, 2025 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why Darnell = Great and Forsythe = Good

I’m not too familiar with the scouting reports on both, but I can see…

Age, handedness, position, size = same
Draft position = Forsythe
Production = Forsythe
Level = Forsythe
Defense = Forsythe

Why so high on Darnell instead?

by PissedMick on Jun 13, 2025 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Comparison

I like Darnell’s athletic ability better and despite playing against younger competition, the Midwest League is pretty harsh on bats and the Cal League is great for them, although it’s true that Lake Elsinore is one of the less pitcher-hostile environments in that league (and Forsythe has done the bulk of his damage there).

Both are nice prospects, obviously.

by mrkupe on Jun 14, 2025 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why Darnell = Great and Forsythe = Good

I’m not too familiar with the scouting reports on both, but I can see…

Age, handedness, position, size = same
Draft position = Forsythe
Production = Forsythe
Level = Forsythe
Defense = Forsythe

Why so high on Darnell instead?

by PissedMick on Jun 13, 2025 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why Darnell = Great and Forsythe = Good

I’m not too familiar with the scouting reports on both, but I can see…

Age, handedness, position, size = same
Draft position = Forsythe
Production = Forsythe
Level = Forsythe
Defense = Forsythe

Why so high on Darnell instead?

by PissedMick on Jun 13, 2025 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

Chill out man. He told you ;)

Never, Never, NEVER give up

by hero66 on Jun 14, 2025 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

System Depth

I’ve got a feeling that this system is going to challenge for the lead in most C+’s (or above) from John next year, unless the team gets trigger happy calling guys up. I could see ~25 guys that probably deserve the grade, and will still be eligible next year.

by seafog on Jun 15, 2025 3:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs