San Diego Padres Top Prospects Rankings: #15-11

[Scott Keene]

#15 - RHP Francis Pena (El Paso)

Francis Peña, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher from Piedra Blanca, Dominican Republic, was signed by the San Diego Padres as an international free agent in January 2022. He drew the attention of multiple teams, including the Padres staff, while playing in the Dominican Summer League that year. Luckily, the Padres won the bid because this kid is something special. In 2023, Peña made his U.S. debut with the Arizona Complex League Padres and quickly progressed through the minor league system, showcasing his talent at Low-A Lake Elsinore and High-A Fort Wayne. His impressive performance in 2023, including a 0.51 ERA over 18.2 innings with 19 strikeouts, earned him a promotion to Double-A San Antonio in 2024. He continued that trend, posting a 2.05 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 19 appearances, while holding opponents to a .186 batting average. By August 2024, Peña advanced to Triple-A El Paso, marking a significant milestone in his rapid ascent through the Padres' farm system. The Padres may have their closer of the future sooner than you think. 

Peña is known for his electric fastball, which consistently sits in the mid-90s and has been clocked as high as 97 mph. He complements this with a sharp cutter, both of which receive a 60-grade rating. His control is considered average, with a 50-grade, indicating room for improvement as he continues to develop. Some guidance from Ruben Niebla might make him deadly. Peña's pitching style is aggressive, often attacking hitters early in the count and inducing weak contact. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and deliver in high-leverage situations draws high praise and flattering comparisons. As he continues to refine his command and secondary pitches, Peña projects as a potential late-inning reliever or closer at the major league level.

#14 - RHP Victor Lizarraga (San Antonio)

Victor Lizarraga, from Mexico, was once the country's top pitching prospect in the 2021 international class. He signed with the Padres for a $1 million bonus and was developing steadily until recently, when he was assigned to San Antonio. Before this season in Double A, Victor had a 17-20 record in his minor league career, with an even 1-to-1 ratio of strikeouts to innings pitched. His slow start to the season in San Antonio is hopefully not indicative of his potential. He still has time to recover from his 8.53 ERA, giving up 39 hits and 34 runs in just 31 innings pitched this season. His ability to become a major-ready starter is yet to be seen. Hopefully, his best days are not behind him so soon, with the hype from his draft slowly settling into the reality of his future in MLB. 

Lizarraga stands at 6-foot-3 and features a four-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball averages around 90 mph, and all his pitches grade as average. He relies on pitchability and control rather than overpowering stuff, projecting as a back-end starter with a mid-high floor. Lizarraga won’t be one to blow batters out of the water, but could be one to wear them down after a few times through the lineup.

#13 - RHP Bradgley Rodriguez (San Antonio)

Bradgley Rodriguez, born in Petare, Venezuela, signed with the Padres as an amateur free agent in 2021. He has advanced through the minor league system, reaching Double-A San Antonio by 2024. In 2024, he posted a 2.64 ERA with 75 strikeouts over 61.1 innings. So far in 2025, he has been absolutely dominant and could see a move to AAA very soon. Appearing in 21 innings across 17 games this season, he has posted a 4-0 record, 3.38 ERA with four saves, a .94 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 8 less innings pitched. In May, he hit his stride with a 1.59 ERA, with opponents hitting only .171 overall. Only time can tell what he might do to better quality hitters in AAA, but his future looks to be a promising one if he can continue this trend. 

Rodriguez possesses a fastball that reaches up to 101 mph, making it the fastest in the Padres' system. He complements it with a changeup and slider, both of which show potential as above-average offerings. His control is still a work in progress, but his high strikeout rate indicates significant upside as a power pitcher.

#12 - OF Kavares Tears (Lake Elsinore)

Kavares Tears, hailing from Columbus, Tennessee, and playing for the 2024 National Championship Tennessee Volunteers, was selected by the Padres in the 2024 MLB Draft. Riding high off his team’s title win last year, Tears looks to see more action and progression as a professional. Tears became one of college baseball’s standout players and was a true asset to the Volunteers squad that went on to win the Men's College World Series. He amassed a .324/.427/.643 line and 20 homers in only 71 games last season. 

Known for his raw power and athleticism, Tears has been developing his skills in the lower minors, currently playing for Lake Elsinore. In his first professional season, he started well, posting a .267 average through May, along with a .341 on-base percentage and a .733 OPS. Tears is a left-handed hitter with plus raw power, generating hard line drives across the field. His swing decisions have improved, leading to better contact rates. Defensively, he has a strong arm and profile as a corner outfielder. He may take a few years to reach the major league level, with development needed in his hitting, but he could be a stunner when he does. 

#11 - OF Tirso Ornelas (El Paso) 

Tirso Ornelas, a native of Tijuana, Mexico, signed with the Padres in 2017 for a $1.5 million bonus. After several years in the minors, he was promoted to the major league roster in April of this year, making a brief MLB debut following an injury to Jason Heyward. There was not very much in the way of opportunity for him to find his stride before being optioned back down to Triple-A El Paso with only one hit in 14 MLB at-bats. His solid performance in the minors seemed to miss the flight to the MLB club. He is currently sitting at a .285 average with a .749 OPS in 137 at-bats with the Chihuahuas this season. 

Ornelas is a left-handed hitter who is somewhat balanced overall, featuring average hit and slightly underpowered tools. With only two home runs so far, a key contribution to make him more MLB-ready would be to either improve his power contact or make his hitting and on-base prowess undeniable. He has a solid approach at the plate, drawing walks and making consistent contact. Defensively, he is capable in the corner outfield spots, with an average arm and fielding ability. His experience and maturity make him a valuable depth option for the Padres in the future, with some minor changes expected.

See the rest of our Padres' top prospects ranking:
Padres Top 20: #20-16
Padres Top 20: #15-11

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