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PADRE PROSPECT POWER RANKINGS - 1st edition 2008 By Jason Martinez sdpadrefan.com 4/08/08 Less than a week into the minor league season, I just couldn't wait to add this feature. I am not a scout and I do not claim to have seen any of these players in person (I will be making my first Lake Elsinore trip on Wednesday to see Cedric Hunter, Mitch Canham, and co.). However, I do read every minor league publication, scouting report and related article I can lay my eyes on. I also listen to tons of minor league-related interviews and have been doing so since the early 90's. My power rankings will be updated often (probably once every two weeks) and will be based on a combination of potential, past production, and current performance. Here goes the first edition of the "Padres Prospect Power Rankings". 1. CHASE HEADLEY (PORTLAND): The 23 year-old is off to a slow start (3-for-15, 7 strikeouts) during his first stint in AAA, but let's give the guy a few weeks to get settled in. He is coming off an amazing spring camp where he did everything necessary to earn the nod as the Padres left fielder but currently finds himself in AAA working on his defense. As good as Scott Hairston is playing, the Padres will find a spot for the switch-hitting Headley sometime this season. 2. MATT ANTONELLI (PORTLAND): The converted second baseman also had his bubble burst in the offseason when the feeling went from, "Second Base is Antonelli's job to lose" to "Antonelli will likely spend the entire season in AAA" after the signing of Tadahito Iguchi. Like Headley, Antonelli should benefit from playing at least a few months in AAA, learning a position which is still fairly new to him. He is off to a 3-for-12 start at Portland but has drawn four walks and has a nifty .500 OBP after four games. 3. WADE LEBLANC, LHP (PORTLAND): One start doesn't make a season but LeBlanc's AAA debut was quite impressive. Striking out 11 batters with a mid-to-high 80's fastball says a lot about a pitchers command and secondary pitches. In LeBlanc's case, it's his changeup that sets him apart. Pitching in Portland will be a good test for LeBlanc as the veteran hitters will adjust quicker to the changeup than in lower levels, forcing the 23 year-old lefty to work on some of his other pitches, such as a two-seam fastball that could lead to more success against right-handed batters. 4. MAT LATOS, RHP (FORT WAYNE, DL): Not much to go by with Latos. He only pitched in 16 games for Eugene in his first professional season as a 19 year-old but I'll just have to take the word of virtually every minor league publication in America. The guy is a legitimate top-of-the-rotation prospect with a mid-90's fastball, very good secondary pitches, and a great feel for the game. Latos is currently on the DL but is expected to join Fort Wayne in a few weeks. 5. MITCH CANHAM, C (LAKE ELSINORE): I am already declaring the 23 year-old the "Padres Catcher of the Future". In my opinion, the left-handed hitting Canham is capable of batting .300 with 12-15 homers in a season and athletic enough to steal 10-15 bases in a season. He still needs some work defensively but should be a solid catcher by the time he arrives in the majors in another year or two. 6. CEDRIC HUNTER, CF (LAKE ELSINORE): After one brilliant season in rookie ball (.371 BA, .467 OBP), the Tony Gwynn comparisons started. After one average season in Fort Wayne (.282 BA, .344 OBP), the hype has all but disappeared. Is it unfair? Maybe. After all, Hunter was only 19 years old, playing against much experienced and older players. In addition, Hunter was batting third on a Fort Wayne team that didn't have a lot of talent surrounding him. While he's still going to be one of the youngest players in the California League, he'll be playing on a Lake Elsinore team surrounded by some guys that can hit the ball, including Mike Baxter, Canham, Javis Diaz, Jeremy Hunt, Keoni Ruth, and Eric Sogard. 7. WILL INMAN, RHP (SAN ANTONIO): Inman had dominated at every level before reaching AA last season, where he finished 4-8 with a 4.80 ERA. Still only 21 years old, Inman will have a chance to jump back up the top prospect lists with a good year. The former #3 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, according to Baseball America, Inman is off to a good start in 2008, tossing five scoreless innings in his debut. 8. JOSHUA GEER, RHP (PORTLAND): So no one thinks this guy is going to be more than a #5 starter in the majors? That may be the case, but he would be one hell of a #5 starter. After a brilliant 2008 debut in which he allowed just one hit in seven innings, his career minor league record is 35-14 with a 3.65 ERA. All he does is get batters out and win. 9. CHAD HUFFMAN, LF (SAN ANTONIO): The 22-year old hit 22 homers and knocked in 104 RBI's between Lake Elsinore and San Antonio last season. This year, he doesn't have the luxury of hitting behind Matt Antonelli and Chase Headley. It hasn't mattered so far, as he is 7-for-21 with three doubles in his first five games. Another big season could put him in the outfield mix with the Padres next spring. 10. KELLEN KULBACKI, OF (FORT WAYNE): Kulbacki put himself on the prospect map at the end of 2007. After a slow start to his professional career, the 23 year-old finished with a .301 batting average at Eugene. More impressive were his power numbers, as he hit eight homers, 13 doubles, and three triples in 61 games. He started the season on the DL with a hamstring injury but is now playing right field at Fort Wayne. |