San Diego Padres Preliminary Prospect List

by John Sickels on Dec 22, 2025 3:01 PM EST

Padres list below the fold. It stands at 38 and I'd like to keep it there, so if you suggest an addition you need to suggest a cut too.

San Diego Padres           38 players

Johnny Barbato             RHP
Vincent Belnome            3B
Simon Castro               RHP
Zach Cates                 RHP
Drew Cumberland            SS
James Darnell              3B
Erik Davis                 RHP
Cody Decker                1B
Jaff Decker                OF
Jose DePaula               LHP
Jose Dore                  OF
Allan Dykstra              1B
Logan Forsythe             2B
Nathan Freiman             1B
Reymond Fuentes            OF
Jonathan Galvez            SS
Jedd Gyorko                3B
Jason Hagerty              C
Jeremy Hefner              RHP
Cedric Hunter              OF
Casey Kelly                RHP
George Kontos              RHP   Rule 5
Rymer Liriano              OF
Matt Lollis                RHP
Cory Luebke                LHP
Rico Noel                  OF
Juan Oramas                LHP
Andrew Parrino             SS
Adys Portillo              RHP
Edinson Rincon     3B
Anthony Rizzo              1B
Dan Robertson              OF
Keyvius Sampson            RHP
Josh Spence                LHP
Donavan Tate               OF
Blake Tekotte              OF
Everett Williams           OF

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Comments

How about Brad Brach?

He was 23 in High A. I’m not sure if that is old or not for that level. I know that he is a reliever but he’s put up constantly good numbers over the past three years.

2008 - 22.1 IP, 13.30 K/9, 2.01 BB/9, 1.19 FIP
2009 - 63.2 IP, 11.59 K/9, 2.13 BB/9, 0.14 HR/9, 1.54 FIP
2010 - 65.2 IP, 10.14 K/9, 1.51 BB/9, 0.82 HR/9, 2.64 FIP

As for who to cut IDK. I guess that I’ve never been to high on Rico Noel.

by polyrhythm07 on Dec 22, 2025 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Matt Clark

Freiman, Cody Decker and Clark are all a few weeks apart and have similar all-bat profiles at 1B. Clark performed comparably two and one levels higher respectively and in a significantly worse hitting environment. He’s got to be on the list in front of them Dykstra’s significantly behind all three of those guys and even as a former #1 pick, is at risk of not making it out of spring training.
I’m assuming the oversight of Rincon is just a mistake. I know his defense is atrocious, but his bat will carry him to the majors. He was a 19 year old in the Midwest League and came on once the temps rose.
Jorge Reyes seems like a notable name missing as well… I’d take him above those fungible 1B above and probably Josh Spence too given that he’s the same age and further along.
You also picked up the same error I made in my post on the other thread… that was supposed to be Jeremy McBryde, not Miller.

by realitypolice on Dec 22, 2025 3:30 PM EST reply actions

clark

I was really impressed by his raw power. Dude can hit some bombs.

by mrkupe on Dec 22, 2025 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

Miller retired...

…And yes, you have to have Edison Rincon (I don’t see how he can miss your top 20) & Brad Brach. And if you’re looking at 38 deep, you need to include Matt Clark…

As for who to cut, I’m w/ RP, cut Noel, Spence, DePaula, Parrino, and/or Davis.

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 22, 2025 4:04 PM EST reply actions

DePaula

DePaula’s definitely a keeper, and I think Davis is interesting enough to hold on to for another year. Parrino and Noel don’t do much for me.

by realitypolice on Dec 22, 2025 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Miller

I think John pulled Drew Miller’s name from some idiot commenter in the other thread… and he probably meant Jeremy McBryde. (Sorry about that John!)

by realitypolice on Dec 22, 2025 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Rincon

Yeah, he’s gotta make the list.

by aCone419 on Dec 22, 2025 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

rough estimate

1) Kelly
2) Castro
3) Rizzo
4) J. Decker
5) Fuentes
6) Darnell
7) Gyorko
8) Sampson
9) Luebke
10) Tate
11) Rymer Liriano
12) Drew Cumberland (although I like him a tad more than this)
13) Lollis
14) J. Galvez
15) Josh Spence, Edinson Rincon, Logan Forsythe, Jeremy Hefner, Cedric Hunter, Adys Portillo (BA) ,

I called it - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!

Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?

I hate Hunter Wendelstedt, you hate Hunter Wendelstedt we all hate hunter w

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 22, 2025 4:51 PM EST reply actions

Brach probably misses my top 20 not saying Forsythe is in there though either ....

this is one of my favorites systems to follow the last 2+ years now and i am in love with quite a few of these prospects

hopefully more than half of them pan out in a big way to help out Matt Latos and company in 2012 or 2013 !!!
(the Pads were surprising a playoff contender all year long in 2010, now no A-Gone to help though)

I called it - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!

Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?

I hate Hunter Wendelstedt, you hate Hunter Wendelstedt we all hate hunter w

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 22, 2025 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

I'd drop Sampson a bit over the injury worries

I’d take Cumberland (even with injuries) over Liriano. Lollis over Liriano too. I can’t decide who makes #15 over those guys, but none of them feel like they should be next. Maybe Cates or Barbato?

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

tekotte?

Blake Tekotte needs to be on here.

by mrkupe on Dec 22, 2025 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Prospects I also like

Evan Scribner, Edinson Rincon, Vincent Belnome, Luis Martinez, Yoan Alcantera, Yair Lopez, Anthony Bass, Brad Brach, Rob Musgrave and, I guess, Aaron Poreda.

It’s interesting that Sawyer Carroll and Luis Domoromo have fallen so far, but I guess they’ve earned that.

I’d take off Miller, Parrino and, hmmm, Erik Davis for Rincon, Alcantera and Bass. I’d also like to to get Brach or Scribner on there. Maybe take off Cody Decker. I feel like he’s just going to flame out at upper levels anyway.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 4:53 PM EST reply actions

+1 on Poreda

interesting how much he has fallen still should be a solid lefty out of the ’pen for the Pads at one point or another …

also +1 on Musgrave and Martinez

I called it - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!

Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?

I hate Hunter Wendelstedt, you hate Hunter Wendelstedt we all hate hunter w

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 22, 2025 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

He's got to be able to get AAA hitters out first

But at least he survived a repeat of AA this year.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

Two corrections

1. Belnome is obviously on the list already (duh).
2. I’d replace almost any of my guys for Allen Dykstra. His only asset was his hitting and he can’t hit.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

yeah what to make of Cody Decker?

is he that much better than Dykstra?

I know one is an OF and the other a 1B… but

I called it - Joe Mauer's first career Home-Run at Target Field !!!

Why Oh Why did the D'Backs select A.J. Pollock over Mike Trout?

I hate Hunter Wendelstedt, you hate Hunter Wendelstedt we all hate hunter w

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 22, 2025 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

neither Cody Decker nor Allan Dykstra

have never played anywhere other than 1B…

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 22, 2025 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

Cody Decker definitely hits better than Dykstra

And since Decker usually gets the nod over Dykstra at 1B I assume Cody plays a better 1B.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

Bass!!!

He’s a boarderline top 20 guy to me…

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 22, 2025 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

My top 30

1. Casey Kelly, RHP, 6’3" 195, Born: Oct. 4, 1989
2. Jaff Decker, OF, 5’10" 190, Born: Feb. 23, 1990
3. Simon Castro, RHP, 6’5" 210, Born: April 9, 2026
4. Donovan Tate, CF, 6’3" 200, Born: Sept. 27, 1990
5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, 6’3" 220, Born: Aug. 8, 1989
6. James Darnell, 3B, 6’2" 195, Born: Jan. 19, 1997
7. Cory Luebke, LHP, 6’4" 215, Born: March 4, 2026
8. Drew Cumberland, 2B/SS, 5’10" 175, Born: Jan. 13, 1989
9. Jedd Gyorko, 3B, 5’10" 195, Born: Sept. 23 1988
10. Matt Lollis, RHP, 6’7" 230, Born: Sept. 11, 1990
11. Adys Portillo, RHP, 6’2" 185, Born: Dec. 21, 1991
12. Logan Forsythe, 2B/3B, 6’1" 205, Born: Jan. 14, 1987
13. Reymund Fuentes, CF, 6’0" 160, Born: Feb. 12, 1991
14. Edinson Rincon, 3B, 6’1" 185, Born: Aug. 11, 1990
15. Juan Oramas, LHP, 5’10" 215, Born: May 11, 2025
16. Jason Hagerty, C, 6’3" 220, Born: Sept. 13, 1987
17. Keyvius Sampson, RHP, 6’0" 185, Born: Jan. 6, 1991
18. John Barbato, RHP, 6’2" 185, Born: July 11, 2025
19. Everett Williams, OF, 5’10" 200, Born: Oct. 1, 1990
20. Brad Brach, RHP, 6’6" 210, Born: April 12, 2025
21. Anthony Bass, RHP, 6’2" 190, Born: Nov. 1, 1987
22. Blake Tekotte, CF, 5’11" 175, Born: May 24, 2025
23. Jonathan Galvez, SS, 6’2" 175, Born: Jan. 18, 1991
24. Evan Scribner, RHP, 6’3" 190, Born: July 19, 2025
25. Jose Dore, OF, 6’1" 170, Born: Feb. 9, 1992
26. Zack Cates, RHP, 6’3" 200, Born: Dec. 17, 1989
27. George Kontos, RHP, 6’3" 215, Born: June 12, 2025
28. Matt Clark, 1B, 6’5" 215, Born: Dec. 10, 1986
29. Kellen Kulbacki, OF, 5’11" 185, Born: Nov. 21, 1985
30. Rymer Liriano, OF, 6’0" 210, Born: June 20, 2025

Follow link for analysis & stats

http://www.friarhood.com/on-the-farm/659-san-diego-padres-top-30-prospects-for-2011.html?showall=1

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 22, 2025 5:58 PM EST reply actions

forsythe

Really? He doesn’t look like any more than an org player to me.

by mrkupe on Dec 22, 2025 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

Org player?

Really?

He has solid-to-above average hitting ability and probably the best plate discipline in the system (he may be one of the best in all the minors: he had a .429 OBP in 2009, he had a road OBP of .449 and a home OBP of .300 despite hitting only .189), he doesn’t have above-average power, but he should hit 10 or so HR while hitting lots of doubles. He also has above-average defense… He may not get a shot to play 2B or 3B but it will not be because he doesn’t deserve/earn it.

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 22, 2025 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

I strongly disagree

His hitting ability is not above-average, it’s maybe average if you are feeling generous. His plate discipline looks good on paper but the reality is that his numbers are the result of an extremely passive approach. Bat speed is iffy and contributes to a near-total absence of power, I don’t think he’ll come close to being that XBH machine you’re thinking of. Finally, his defense is not above-average at 2B. It should probably end up being close enough to average in the end, but it wasn’t quite there this year.

So you’ve got the bat of a glove-first utility infielder with okay defense at 2B and no ability to play SS. Sounds like an org guy to me.

by mrkupe on Dec 22, 2025 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

The power could get there

But the approach needs to be tweaked in the minors. Given a few years I could see him at an age 27/28 peak being a viable starter with what PeterF is talking about it. It won’t last long though. Definitely not enough to put him that high. Not until he shows a little more.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

well yes, he could theoretically improve

I just didn’t really see a reason to think that it’s forthcoming, though. He’s got a very limited set of tools and it’s hard to see where the improvement would come from. He really does look like just another guy.

by mrkupe on Dec 22, 2025 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

How much of that is home park Kupe?

Kupe,
Just curious if you saw him in other parks, or just Wolff this year. I ask because I saw an interview with him where he essentially admitted that after he struggled there early, his approach went to hell and he stopped doing anything right at home. As he framed it, that problem was entirely on him because he didn’t react intelligently…
For what it’s worth, his road numbers were 316/449/429. A 2B (if he can stay there, which I know is a question) with an OPS above .800 certainly has some value…

by realitypolice on Dec 23, 2025 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

didn't see him in another park

Wolff isn’t an easy place to play, especially when the shadows creep in and give the pitcher an extra bit of cover. And that’s something that I do keep in mind, certainly. But realistically, the only thing I could see looking better in a different environment is the contact hitting tool. I’m still not really sure that would make him any kind of a major leaguer, though. Let’s say he’s a 60 hitter for average (.280 or so). He’s still a guy with no power, passable defense and plate discipline that I’m skeptical will hold up at the highest level (I’d expect pitchers to just pound the zone on him). How many guys really stick with that combo?

Of course, you have to keep in mind that about the only thing he could do about this year was blame it on the park. He got substantial AA time last year, adjustments should not have been an issue.

by mrkupe on Dec 23, 2025 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Luis Durango?

Not sure if he still qualifies, but takes walks and has great speed.

RotoHardball, SBN's Fantasy Baseball Blog / @zvsanders

by Zach Sanders on Dec 22, 2025 7:17 PM EST reply actions

rincon

Rincon is supposed to be on there. Disappeared in the cut-and-paste process from Word

by John Sickels on Dec 22, 2025 7:29 PM EST reply actions

adjustments

OK, i’m cutting dykstra for Anthony Bass, Dore for Scribner (much closer to majors), freiman for kulbacki

by John Sickels on Dec 22, 2025 8:23 PM EST reply actions

swap Clark for Cody Decker, and I think you're there

This org doesn’t have a sure-fire star, but has an awful lot of depth to it…

by realitypolice on Dec 22, 2025 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

Casey Kelly

You wouldn’t consider Kelly a sure-fire star?

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.

by Savoy on Dec 22, 2025 9:12 PM EST up reply actions

If Casey Kelly isn't an elite level prospect then I'm not sure what is.

I mean, realistically, no team has any “sure-fire stars” as prospects. Name me a top prospect and I’ll show you someone that could become just a solid regular.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2025 10:52 PM EST up reply actions

What is elite?

I think he and Castro are both high B+ guys, but I think both are somewhere around 20-25 among pitching prospects. (Judging by the voting on the fanpost side, it seems I’m at least in the general range of the readership around here…)
My point was that when you look at the highest-level systems, there’s at least one guy who’s an A/A-. While this team doesn’t have that, there are an awful lot B/B- guys. While John really had to limp in to 20 guys for the Reds, the gap between #15 and #30 in this system is pretty narrow.

by realitypolice on Dec 23, 2025 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

I go A- for Kelly

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Dec 23, 2025 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Donovan Tate

This guy really baffles me. I thought he was one of the best athletes in the 09 draft but he has been way too injured and his K-rate is way is really a big question mark. Hopefully not another bigbonus-gone-wronged for the Pads. The 2009 draft for the Pads is not looking as good as it did a year ago.

by DominicanDandy on Dec 23, 2025 1:49 AM EST reply actions

He is one of the best athletes

The problem is that his hitting ability was as raw as some feared, and he had a bunch of freak injuries. I remember reports coming out around that time that if the Padres didn’t take him, he was going to tumble down the board.

He still has a high ceiling, but not sure I can go higher than a B-

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Dec 23, 2025 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

Mitch Canham

C-util that played in AA this summer

by RJ24 on Dec 23, 2025 4:30 AM EST reply actions

canham just turned 26

Kind of a puzzling decision to have him repeat at AA at his age coming off of a not-truly-terrible season the year before, especially when you consider that he was drafted in the 2nd round in 2007. Of course, he also crapped the bed at the plate this year, which at his age probably condemns him to org player status; the organization certainly treated him as such this year.

by mrkupe on Dec 23, 2025 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

Why do so many guys repeat AA for the Padres? AAA must get lonely

Where would Gomes be on the list? Would Figuero even made it? In his case, I am trying to figure out if we traded for lower level depth or a future starting 2B

Price, Garza, Shields, Davis, Hellickson is too awesome, Niemann for closer?

by joeybw on Dec 23, 2025 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

"So many?"

Canham repeated because he’s really not very good and because they finally abandoned the notion that he’s a catcher. They already had Mike Baxter as their utility guy in Portland (and he’s actually a guy who might fill that role in the majors), so they needed to leave Mitch behind to get him any playing time.
They had two guys stay behind in the bullpen this year; Scribner and Gomes. I think that’s reflective of the depth they had in the organization in the bullpen and because they needed to keep the guys who were on the 40-man roster and therefore available as midseason callups in AAA.
The only other guys who repeated in San Antonio were Culp and Buschmann who are both just organizational roster fillers.

by realitypolice on Dec 23, 2025 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

My bad

I just thought I saw a lot of guys being mentioned of staying in AA and I know Gomes did so I assumed. Anyway, would Gomes or Figuero make the top 20 if they were still there?

Price, Garza, Shields, Davis, Hellickson is too awesome, Niemann for closer?

by joeybw on Dec 23, 2025 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

I loved Figueroa

I think he’s VERY likely to accrue significant big league service time. Don’t think he’ll ever start on a top-division team, but think he’ll break in as a solid utility infielder who eventually gets a few starting jobs here and there when teams don’t have other options. Don’t know if he’d be in my top 20, but certainly in that 25-30 range.
I remember John did that piece a few months back about what role big league lineage should play in prospect evaluation. Cole’s a guy who makes me think it should be weighted, because I think a LOT of what he brings to the game comes from growing up in minor league clubhouses. After watching Bien manage in Bowie and CT, I’m guessing being lazy about fundamentals was not really an option growing up as his son!

by realitypolice on Dec 23, 2025 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Figueroa

When I did that top 30 about 2 weeks ago I had Figgy about 23… But when he was traded right as it was released, we pulled him out and added Liriano at the end…

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 23, 2025 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

I don't think

there’s any universe in which Figueroa’s a better prospect than Liriano. As much of a disappointment as this year was, he’s eight months younger than both Williams and Tate, has actually shown real skills with a wood bat against professional pitching, and has tools and projection to match at least Williams, if not Tate…
Should be pretty fun to watch the three of them patrol the outfield together in Ft. Wayne this spring. I’m going to guess that TinCaps pitchers’ BAA on fly balls are well below league average.

by realitypolice on Dec 23, 2025 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

upside vs. reaching the bigs

No, there’s no question Liriano has more tools. But I’ve seen Figgy play several times and he’s smooth at short - makes all the plays… As long as he keeps putting numbers (ironically, he posted much better numbers at Lake Elsinore than the SS the Padres just traded him for) he’ll play in the bigs. And I agree he will not be an upper-tier SS, he can be a reliable big league SS with a credible stick. Liriano on the other hand is tools-galore, but much like the Padres minor league OF from the last few years, Yefri Carvajal, it’s debatable if Rymer will figure it out. Last year I think I had him 14, but he had to be demoted out of Low-A, I just couldn’t put him in front of some of the others - as you said above this is a deep system…

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 23, 2025 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

But that argument only works

If you hadn’t previously supremely over-rated both Tate and Williams. You can either rank all three of them well below Figueroa, or put all three of them above him… you’re creating a false dichotomy between them as it stands though.

by realitypolice on Dec 23, 2025 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

No it doesn't

Prospect rating is part sabermetrics, part scouting, part wild-ass-guessing… I can rate them as I please. ;-)

Maybe I’ll have Tate & Williams lower-rated (and/or Liriano higher-rated) next year…

I rated Liriano lower because he started at one level and failed and had to be demoted. Williams didn’t excell, but he didn’t fail like Liriano did. Tate actually performed very well in the instructional leagues and the Padres named him their team MVP. Had that not happened, I would have rated him lower as well… As knee-jerk as that sounds, I wasn’t as ready as some to rate Liriano as high as some last year…

I guess there’s one way to see… We’ll have to keep watching.

I really hope this post doesn’t come off as self-righteous - Lord knows, I’ve made many mistakes in prospect-rating and I’ll make many more.

-peter

by PeterF on Dec 23, 2025 3:15 PM EST reply actions