San Diego Padres
NL West
2024 record: 93-69 (2nd)
MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: El Paso Chihuahuas
Double-A: San Antonio Missions
High-A: Fort Wayne TinCaps
Single-A: Lake Elsinore Storm
Notable prospects graduated in 2024
OF Jackson Merrill
RHP Randy Vásquez
Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam), and J.W. Mulpas (@BBoxscore). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2024
Tier 1
1. Leodalis De Vries, SS, 18, Single-A
If you’re a baseball card collector and land the Padres in any Bowman breaks, then you’ll know this young superstar-in-the-making as Leo De Vries. He debuted in 2024 as a 17-year-old in Single-A, where he walloped 11 homers, knocked in 38, and swiped 13 bags, putting up an .803 OPS. The organization gave their top prospect some additional time in the Arizona Fall League, and he got some extra reps and playing time (18 games) against much older competition. The 6-foot shortstop could be on the fast track to the majors, but he likely needs at least two to three more years across the Minors before he’s ready to contribute on the biggest stage. Buy in dynasty leagues if you can swing it. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
Tier 2
2. Ethan Salas, C, 18, Double-A
Salas did not follow up his meteoric 2023 season with a repeat performance last year. In 412 High-A at-bats last season he slashed .208/.288/.311 with only 4 home runs. The contact was weak, and he looked overwhelmed by the more advanced pitching at times. On the positive side he walked at a 10% rate while striking out only 21%. It is important to remember that he played the entire season as an 18-year-old and prospect development is hardly ever linear. He needs more time to get acclimated to professional level pitching and that is okay. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 3
3. Kash Mayfield, LHP, 19, High school
Mayfield did not throw a lot on the showcase circuit in 2023, but he was far from an under-the-radar prospect in the 2024 class. He had a track record of success in a competitive Oklahoma prep division, but he really reintroduced himself with authority at the Super 60 last February where he sat mid-90s with his fastball. Over the spring he ended up hitting 97 which pairs incredibly well with a filthy cambio with late tumble. His breaking ball is kinda stuck somewhere between a slider and a curve, but he has flashed moments of solid depth in a more traditional curve shape. The best part, he can spot all his pitches and easily projects as a long term starter. (@ShaunKernahan)
4. Boston Bateman, LHP, 19, High school
Bateman might have the best nickname in baseball, Sasquatch, and about as fitting a nickname too given his massive stature and long, flowing hair. The big lefty has true plus power at the plate that had some considering him a two way prospect, but he will be on the mound for the Padres. His fastball has been up to 97 and he has a plus to better hammer curve with depth. He commands both pitches better than you might expect from a young pitcher his size, the only thing really holding him back is a true third offering because, without that, he may struggle to stick in a rotation. (@ShaunKernahan)
5. Isaiah Lowe, RHP, 21, High-A
With an incredibly athletic delivery on the mound, the Padres were careful with Lowe in 2024 after an injury ended his 2023 season. His slider has come a long way since being drafted, and generates the most swing-and-miss of any pitch in his arsenal (44% whiff rate in 2024). Continued health will be key for Lowe to progress up to the upper Minor Leagues, but if he can put together a couple more years like his last, a 3.33 ERA in 105.1 IP, he can climb even higher in prospect rankings. (@aj_greene1015)
6. Tirso Ornelas, OF, 24, Triple-A
I feel like Ornelas is flying under the radar right now considering how he has played at the Triple-A level for the past two seasons. He has run an OBP of .358 and .367 respectively, a K rate south of 20%, and above average hard-hit rates. Barring any other additions, he looks to have the first crack at the starting left field job for the Friars. He could be a great buy right now in fantasy leagues. The cost shouldn’t be high and the potential ROI is a 15-20 home run bat with solid average/OBP. (@JMhayfam)
Tier 4
7. Humberto Cruz, RHP, 18, Rookie (ACL)
8. Romeo Sanabria, 1B, 22, Double-A
9. Kale Fountain, 3B, 19, High school
10. Henry Baez, RHP, 22, Double-A
11. Victor Lizarraga, RHP, 21, Double-A
12. Cobb Hightower, SS, 19, High school
13. Ryan Bergert, RHP, 24, Double-A
14. Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP, 21, Double-A
15. Francis Pena, RHP, 24, Triple-A
16. Kavares Tears, OF, 22, College
Sanabria was a late round pick who has put up solid numbers in two seasons in lower levels. He slashed .276/.364/.345 in 15 Arizona Fall League games. Baez has potential to be a serviceable starter in the Majors. Lizarraga could be a back-end starter. Pena has the makings of a reliever but has to improve his command to go with his high velocity fastball. Tears was San Diego’s fourth round pick out of Tennessee, where he hit .324 and put up a 1.070 OPS with 20 home runs. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
17. Brandon Valenzuela, C/1B, 24, Triple-A
18. Austin Krob, LHP, 25, High-A
19. Kannon Kemp, RHP, 20, High school
20. Alek Jacob, RHP, 26, MLB
21. Tyson Neighbors, RHP, 22, Single-A
22. Braden Nett, RHP, 22, Double-A
23. Eguy Rosario, 3B, 25, MLB
24. Juan Nuñez, RHP, 24, High-A
25. Jagger Haynes, LHP, 22, High-A
26. Rosman Verdugo, 3B, 20, High-A
27. Omar Cruz, LHP, 26, Triple-A
28. Marcos Castañon, 3B/2B, 25, Double-A
29. Lamar King Jr., 1B, 21, Single-A
30. Sean Reynolds, RHP, 26, MLB
31. Jackson Wolf, LHP, 25, Triple-A
32. Kai Roberts, OF, 23, Single-A
33. Manuel Castro, RHP, 22, Double-A
33. Garrett Hawkins, RHP, 24, High-A
34. Braedon Karpathios, OF, 21, Single-A
35. Joshua Mears, OF, 23, Double-A
36. Cole Paplham, RHP, 24, Double-A
37. Luis German, RHP, 23, Single-A
38. Carson Montgomery, RHP, 22, Single-A
39. Sean Barnett, OF, 21, Single-A
40. Eduarniel Núñez, RHP, 25, Triple-A
41. Yendry Rojas, 3B, 20, Rookie (ACL)
42. Harold Chirino, RHP, 27, Triple-A
43. Nerwilian Cedeño, 2B, 22, High-A
44. David Morgan, RHP, 25, Double-A
45. Daniel Montesino, OF, 20, Rookie (ACL)
46. Clark Candiotti, RHP, 24, College
47. Luis Gutierrez, LHP, 21, Single-A
48. Luis Maracara, RHP, 17, Rookie (DSL)
49. Eric Yost, RHP, 22, High-A
50. Dwayne Matos, RHP, 24, High-A
Kemp hasn’t pitched yet because of injuries but has the tools to contribute as a starter in a few years. Neighbors has the potential to be a solid closer in the Majors in a year or two. Haynes has battled injuries which have limited what he can do on the mound, but he has the tools to be a mid-rotation starter if he puts it all together. Verdugo has average tools across the board and could be a utility player in the Majors. Cruz could make the rotation sometime early this season. Reynolds has command issues to work through to be an effective Major League pitcher, but Padres fans and dynasty owners can dream on his 17.2 K/9. Paplham has two good pitches which looks good for his chances to remain in the bullpen. (@tonybps1)
Adam Greene is a student UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. He currently writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League and UMass Athletics. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life and he's spent the last few years covering their farm system. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
J.W. resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. He has been a contributor to Prospects1500 since January 2025. You can follow J.W. on X at @BBoxscore.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.
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