San Diego Padres Prospects: Arizona Fall League Report
By Joel Burdeos
San Diego, CA- Currently in Arizona the top prospects of every Major League team are competing against one-another in the Arizona Fall League. Teddy Cahill of MLB.com this morning had a report on how the San Diego Padres prospects are performing.
Trea Turner in an interview with Cahill expressed how playing in the Arizona Fall League was one of his career goals.
"“I’m just blessed to be able to have the opportunity to play in it,” said Turner “I’m going to try to make the most of it.”“I’m just trying to do everything I can to better my game, whether it’s mentally or physically,” Turner said. “I’m going to get out here and work as much as I can as much as they’ll let me, and also learn from watching other people play and how they go about their business.”"
Padres Position Prospects:
The Padres drafted Turner with the 13th overall pick in this years MLB Draft and had a solid first season in the Padres minor league system. Turner began the season in short-season Eugene and was promoted to Low-A Fort Wayne. Turner was sensational in Fort Wayne batting .369 with four home runs and 14 stolen bases in 46 games and was considered the hottest prospect in baseball at one point.Turner, especially with Everth Cabrera‘s future with the Padres in question, is considered the future of the franchise at SS and is expected to take over the position in the next few years.
So far in the Arizona Fall League Turner is batting .364 with three RBI’s and two stolen bases in three games. Turner in just a few games has impressed scouts with his exceptional speed.
"Reportedly, #Padres SS Trea Turner is the fastest man in the AFL this year. I haven’t seen him play. Nickname is “Turner the Burner.” -@BerniePleskoff"
Peterson began the season in Triple-A El Paso and was called up to the Padres multiple times last season. Peterson has always been a solid hitter in the minor leagues, but struggled at the plate during his time with the Padres last season. Padres are hoping Peterson can improve his consistency at the plate, as he provides solid defense at shortstop, second and third base, but he will need to improve his if he wants to make the Padres opening day roster next season.
So far in the Arizona Fall League Peterson is batting .222 with three RBI’s and one stolen bases in seven games.
Renfroe like Trea Truner is expected to be playing in Petco Park in the next few years. Renfroe was drafted by the Padres with the 13th overall pick in the 2013 Draft and had an impressive season. Renfroe played in the Futures All Star Game and batted .267 with 21 homeruns and 75 RBI’s between High-A Lake Elsinore and Double A San Antonio.
Renfroe has impressed scouts with his power by winning the Bowman Hitting Challenge and is batting .265 with one home run and four RBI’s in 9 games.
Smith is arguably the most athletic player in the Padres system. Smith batted .310 with five homeruns, 31 RBI’s and 88 stolen bases this season between Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore. Smith is off to a slow start in the Arizona Fall League batting .143 with one RBI and one stolen base in four games.
Padres Pitching Prospects:
Alger converted 15 saves as closer for High-A Lake Elsinore with a 2.70 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 63.1 IP. Alger posesses a low 90’s fastball, decent off-speed and could be a future reliever for the Padres. Agler has allowed no runs and has three strikeouts in 3 IP in the Arizona Fall League.
Tayron Guerrero, 23, has been with the Padres since signing with the team out of Colombia as a non-drafted free agent in 2009. Guerrero was dominant out of the bullpen with a 1.45 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 49.2 innings between Low-A Fort Wayne and High-A Lake Elsinore.
Guerrero is 6’7 with a fastball that consistently hits 100 mph, but has spent the past four seasons in Rookie Ball and Low-Single A developing his command before breaking out this season. If Guerrero can continue to polish command of his fastball and develop decent off-speed, he could be a future reliever or closer in the Padres bullpen. Guerrero has struggled so far in the Arizona Fall League, as he’s allowed eight runs on seven hits and four walks in only 3 IP.
Hancock had a decent season in Double-A with a 4.12 ERA in 12 starts. Hancock possesses a mid-90’s fastball, but needs to work on his control in order to have a future in the Padres rotation or bullpen.
Hancock has struggled so far in the Arizona Fall League, as he’s allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks in only 4 IP.
Burch Smith was out for most of last season due to a forearm strain. Smith made his Major League debut in 2013 and has an electric fastball, but lacks solid off-speed pitches to be a Major League starter. Smith still has the potential to be a solid reliever for the Padres next season.
Smith has struggled so far in the Arizona Fall League, as he’s allowed six runs on nine hits in only 3.2 IP.