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PADRE POWER PROSPECT RANKINGS - August Edition posted 8/06/08 by Jason Martinez 1. KELLEN KULBACKI, OF (LAKE ELSINORE): In a matter of just a few weeks, the 22 year-old outfielder has established himself, hands down, as the top hitting prospect in the organization. Since June 1st, he's been one of the top players in the minors, with a .390 BA, 19 HR's, 51 RBI, and 13 doubles. With his above average plate discipline (41 BB's, 48 K's in 77 games) a key to the organization's philosophy, it's not out of the question for Kulbacki to be the face of the franchise in four years. (LAST EDITION RANK - 4) 2. CEDRIC HUNTER, CF (LAKE ELSINORE): The center fielder is off to a slow start in August (4-for-19), but Hunter is coming off of his best month of the season (.355 BA, 9 doubles). The 20 year-old is looking more and more like a future #2 hitter in the big leagues, a contact hitter (37 BB's, 37 K's) who can run a little bit (10 SB's), hit left-handers (.346 BA vs lefties), and hit the ball in the gaps (27 doubles). (LAST EDITION RANK - 1) 3. WADE LEBLANC, LHP (PORTLAND): The left hander is on his best run of the season, allowing just two earned runs and 12 hits over his last four starts, spanning 25 innings. He's walked two and struck out 27 batters in those starts and despite having an overall ERA of 5.46, his peripherals are very good for the PCL. He's allowed 113 hits and struck out 117 in 113.2 innings. (LAST EDITION RANK - 6) 4. WILL VENABLE, OF (PORTLAND): While he is coming off of his best month in regards to extra base hits (9 2B, 3B, 6 HR) and walks (17), the 25 year-old had his first sub-.300 month on the season (.277 BA). Since the Padres would like to see improvements in the power and patience categories, I have to say that July turned out to be a success for Venable. However, he appears to be blocked at every outfield spot in into 2009 unless the Padres fail to re-sign Jody Gerut or make a trade to create an opening. (LAST EDITION RANK - 3) 5. KYLE BLANKS, 1B (SAN ANTONIO): What isn't there to like about a 6'6'", 270 lb first baseman that bats over .300 and is quick enough to steal a few bases and hit triples? According to scouts, his swing mechanics do not allow him to hit the ball hard enough. But his 13 HR's in a pitcher's league are still OK for a 21 year-old. Most scouts just think that he looks like he should be hitting more. If he gets that mechanics stuff straightened out, watch out. He's going to be a beast. (LAST EDITION RANK - 7) 6. STEVE GARRISON, LHP (SAN ANTONIO): Still a week shy of his 22nd birthday, Garrison continues to put together a very nice season with the Missions. He's already been mentioned by GM Kevin Towers as a possible late-season call-up so I fully expect the left-hander to have a chance to win the #5 spot in the rotation in 2009. He hasn't been as good lately, but he continues to keep his walk totals down (32 BB in 117.2 IP) and the ball in the yard (HR every 9.8 IP). (LAST EDITION RANK - 5) 7. WYNN PELZER, RHP (FORT WAYNE): After making his debut in the July 18th edition of the rankings, Pelzer, 22, pitched his best game of the season on July 28th, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing just three hits, no walks, and striking out 10. Enough said. (LAST EDITION RANK - 8) 8. CHAD HUFFMAN, LF (SAN ANTONIO): After a terrible two month stretch, Huffman heated up at the end of July, hitting three home runs and knocking in seven in a span of four games. The 23 year-old outfielder is still hitting .291 and has an impressive .385 OBP with 9 HR's, 57 RBI's, 26 doubles, and 55 walks in 103 games. (LAST EDITION RANK - 9) 9. STEPHEN FARIS, RHP (SAN ANTONIO): The Padres #1 non-prospect, according to me, has finally graduated to the prospect class, despite giving up seven runs on 10 hits in his last start. Before that disaster of a start, the 23 year-old right-hander had a 1.50 ERA in 11 starts in June and July with 15 walks and 50 K's. Faris has established himself as the most consistent and most effective starter amongst a group of terrific pitchers in the San Antonio rotation, which includes Will Inman, Garrison, Matt Buschmann, and Manny Ayala. (LAST EDITION RANK - N/A) 10. LANCE ZAWADZKI, SS (FORT WAYNE): With former 1st round pick Drew Cumberland sidelined for a significant amount of time with an injury, the 23 year-old Zawadzki has stepped up and shined for the Wizards. In the month of July, the switch-hitter hit .337 with 3 HR, 11 RBI, 7 doubles, and 8 SB's. On the season, he is 23 for 24 in stolen base attempts and has boosted his average to .282 with 32 extra base hits (21 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR) after a slow start. Can't wait to see how that translates in the Cal League next season. (LAST EDITION RANK - N/A) |