The off-season saw the Padres add established major league players in Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers and Derek Norris along with the free-agent signing of right-hander James Shields.
While ownership increased payroll and new General Manager A.J. Preller moved some money around to facilitate the trades, what allowed him to make the moves was a surplus of the most valuable commodity in professional baseball: young prospects.
Trea Turner, Joe Ross, Zach Eflin, Burch Smith, Max Fried, Jace Peterson, Mallex Smith, R.J. Alverez, Jake Bauers and Dustin Peterson â who all would have been in this year's Top 20 or just on the outside â were dealt to acquire the big four above. And while the organization's depth of potential big leaguers has been its most notable strength for the last few years, now there is a significant gap between the top five and the rest of the system.
It's been a long time since we've had this much collective uncertainty about what the farm might offer in future years. And that's not only because of all the talent that's left the organization. Seven players below were not in the organization 12 months ago â and we're not even including 2014 first-rounder Turner, who remains Padres property until he can officially head to the Nationals.
But one thing is certain: Since the end of November, prospects have been turned into starting players at five positions on the big league field. That is a great thing for fans of the San Diego Padres.
2015 Padres Farm System at a Glance
Out from 2014 Top 20: LHP Max Fried (Braves), RHP Burch Smith (Rays), SS/2B/3B Jace Peterson (Braves), RHP Joe Ross (Nationals), RHP Zach Eflin( Phillies), RHP Keyvius Sampson (Reds), OF Reymund Fuentes (Royals), RHP Donn Roach (Cubs), RHP Joe Wieland (Dodgers), LHP Juan Oramas (Blue Jays).
2014 Top 20 Graduated/Still in Organization: 1B/OF Tommy Medica (Padres), 1B/OF Alex Dickerson (Missions/Injury) and CF Travis Jankowski (Missions/Injury).
In for 2015: CF Michael Gettys (2014 draft), RHP James Needy, SS Jose Rondon (acquired from Angels), RHP Zech Lemond (2014 draft), CF Auston Bousfield (2014 draft), RHP Kyle Lloyd, RHP Ryan Butler (2014 draft), 2B/3B Fernando Perez, OF Jordan Paroubeck, RHP Elliot Morris (acquired from Angels), OF Franmil Reyes, 1B/C/3B Cody Decker and RHP Seth Streich (acquired from A's).
Synopsis: Much of the vaunted depth of the system is gone, but Preller hung on to the top prospects in the Padres' system. The Padres may be stronger on the mound than many recognize with a strong quartet of sleepers in James Needy, Elliot Morris and 2014 draftees Zech Lemond and Ryan Butler.
The Lottery Ticket: Michael Gettys. Many doubted his ability to make consistent contact, but he put up some numbers in the rookie-level Arizona League. He should be the TinCaps' starting center fielder and if he produces he will be one of the top prospects in baseball.
The following information was compiled and written by John Conniff, David Jay and Ben Davey.
(Note: All ages are based on the age the player will be on April 1, 2015)
1. Matt Wisler
Position: Starting Pitcher/RHP
Height/Weight: 6-3/ 200
Age: 22
Bats/Throws: R/R
How Acquired: Seventh Round/2011
Team W-L IP ERA GS K/BB Hits Earned Runs
Missions 1-0 30 2.10 6 35/6 26 7
Chihuahuas 9-5 116.2 5.01 22 101/36 131 65
2014 Highlights: Detractors of the 2011 seventh-rounder will point to the ugly ERA in the Pacific Coast League and suggest that it indicates he doesn't have quite enough to deliver at the highest level. But Wisler, as one of the youngest arms on the circuit, got better with each month in the high desert of the most offense-friendly league's most offense-friendly division. He continued to rack up strikeouts while limiting walks all along, and of course, he began the year by absolutely owning the Texas League.
That's the Wisler whom Padres fans can ultimately expect to see in the Majors.
Negatives: He had some problems with his mechanics, particularly when throwing from the stretch which causes his four-seam fastball to flatten out. Consistency with his change-up also played a role in his struggles.
Projection: With his size and ability to eat innings, he projects as at least a solid middle-of-the-rotation pitcher and his fastball is enough to provide additional upside.
MadFriars' Assessment: With the addition of James Shields, Brandon Morrow and the possible health of Josh Johnson, there is zero pressure on Wisler to get to the big club in 2015, but he'll be just a phone call away if and when the team needs him.
2. Hunter Renfroe
Position: RF/CF
Height/Weight: 6-1/200
Age: 23
Bats/Throws: R/R
How Acquired: First Round/2013
Team AVG OBP SLG PA BB/K Hits XBH HR
Storm .295 .370 .565 316 28/81 82 40 16
Missions .232 .307 .353 251 25/53 52 17 5
2014 Highlights: Renfroe's first full season in the system gave everyone a look at just what he's capable of â and what he still must work on to turn his prodigious talent into consistent on-field ability. The Mississippi native mashed in the Cal League, showing off his top-shelf power and a throwing arm that will ultimately be the focus of highlight reels. But after a midseason promotion to Double-A, he really struggled.
The good news is that his strikeout rate actually dipped in San Antonio while his walk rate went up, and he had a nice bounce-back in the AFL. However, the contact he made over two months in the Texas League wasn't very good.
Negatives: Renfroe just hasn't played that much baseball, compared to other top prospects. He has a tremendous amount of athletic ability but a .307 on-base percentage in the Texas League shows that his plate discipline is going to have to come a long way this year. Some of his detractors have argued that he could be the second coming of Jeff Francoeur.
Projection: A power hitting right fielder who is a plus defender.
MadFriars' Assessment: With a newly-reconstituted big league outfield, there is no rush to get Renfroe to the bigs, so he can go out this spring and work to keep honing his game without shouldering unnecessary burdens. If Justin Upton leaves as expected at the end of the year, he could be a starter in 2016. Also, look for him to get more time in center this season.
3. Rymer Liriano
Position: RF/CF
Height/Weight: 6-0/230
Age: 23
Bats/Throws: R/R
How Acquired: Signed from Dominican Republic, 2007
Team AVG OBP SLG PA BB/K Hits XBH HR
Missions .264 .335 .442 415 35/102 98 36 14
Chihuahuas .452 .521 .661 71 8/14 28 12 0
Padres .220 .289 .266 121 9/39 24 3 1
2014 Highlights: For the first time since coming stateside, when Liriano arrived at a new level in late July, he went on a tear. His torrid performance in El Paso, paired with a dearth of production at the big-league level, led to a surprise promotion to the Padres â a remarkable turnaround for a guy who missed all of 2013 following Tommy John surgery. Not surprisingly, though, he struggled to make adjustments immediately, and then fell into scattered playing time that didn't help matters.
Negatives: In the past, Liriano had struggled from being too aggressive, but at the major-league level he had trouble adjusting to hard stuff in after getting pitched away throughout his minor league career.
Projection: His ceiling is a true five-tool player but the addition of a crowded outfield on the major-league level and Renfroe could make him a trade candidate.
MadFriars' Assessment: His 2015 season will likely be spent back in El Paso unless one of the newly-acquired outfielders suffers a major injury. And that should be a good thing. Liriano, who is still prone to chasing breaking stuff out of the zone, has shown an ability to make adjustments with time. This coming season can serve as a finishing school of sorts for the guy who remains one of the highest-upside players in the organization.
A strong year will put Preller in the enviable position of either having a low-cost contributor to slide into the 2016 big league roster or having a highly desirable trade chip coming into the deadline.
4. Austin Hedges
Position: Catcher
Height/Weight: 6-1/200
Age: 22
Bats/Throws: R/R
How Acquired: Second Round/2011
Team AVG OBP SLG PA BB/K Hits XBH HR
Missions .225 .268 .321 457 23/89 96 27 6
2014 Highlights: Austin Hedges remains one of the most gifted receivers in the game. On defensive value alone, he will merit a long big-league career. But after a year of going backward offensively in San Antonio, many will be watching whether the former big-bonus standout can get his bat back on track.
Negatives: Defensively â as was probably true midway through his debut 2012 professional season â he wasn't capable of merely catching in the major leagues, but was at least the equal of anyone on the Padres' roster. He got frustrated by Nelson Wolff Stadium last year and found himself off-balance by trying to pull the ball too much.
He has a new hitting coach in San Antonio who could make a difference.
Projection: Easily the most upside of any position player in the system. He has the skills to be an elite defender with more than enough offense too. The key for him will be to forsake some power and try to use the middle of the field some more.
MadFriars' Assessment: We'll have to see whether he returns to San Antonio. A third trip to the same level would be awkward for such a highly-regarded player, though that's only a possibility because of the previous regime's curious decision to rush him to San Antonio in 2013. He could head to the much more hitter-friendly environment in El Paso. He'll be working with a new set of instructors at both places to get back to some of the basics with the bat.
5. Michael Gettys
Position: CF
Height/Weight: 6-1/205
Age: 19
Bats/Throws: R/R
How Acquired: Second Round/2014
Team AVG OBP SLG PA BB/K Hits XBH HR
AZL Padres .310 .353 .437 233 15/66 66 16 3
2014 Highlights: The super-talented outfielder from Georgia actually seems a lot like the players Preller's former club have feasted on in recent drafts. He has immense athletic ability and his power, arm and speed can be carrying tools. And he might also never figure out how to make contact with enough frequency to make any of it matter. The second-rounder had a strong .310 average and swiped 14 bases in his pro debut in Peoria. He also struck out in nearly 30 percent of his plate appearances.
Negatives: There has been quite a bit of talk about his swing and his ability to make contract. So far the Padres claim they don't see it but life can change once a player gets out of the AZL and into the cold of the Midwest League.
Projection: He's very young and very far away, but the tools are something to really be excited about.
MadFriars' Assessment: He's a guy who could still be a valuable big league regular even hitting .230, but there are plenty who doubt whether he'll ever be able to do that consistently. It will be interesting to see whether the organization pushes him to Ft. Wayne or if they keep him back to work on swing mechanics in extended spring training.
