Padres Select Outfielder Ryan Wideman 99th Overall in the 2025 MLB Draft

[Theo Tollefson]

The San Diego Padres selected outfielder Ryan Wideman from Western Kentucky with their 3rd round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Wideman is a 6'5, 200 lbs right-handed hitter, born in Gijon, Spain, to his dad, Tom Wideman. He played basketball there after graduating from college at Clemson. Wideman moved back to the States later in his youth and spent his first two years at Georgia Highlands College, where he hit .423 / .488 / .724 with 22 home runs and 137 RBI, and a 48 stolen base season in 2024.

Wideman transferred to Western Kentucky last fall and put up stellar numbers with the team in 2025, posting a .398 / .466 / .652 slash line with 10 home runs, 97 hits, 68 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 45 stolen bases, a single-season record for Western Kentucky's baseball program. His season earned him several accolades, including Conference USA Player of the Year and Conference USA Newcomer of the Year 

He's considered one of the best athletes in the draft class, but his greatest weakness is his chase rate against pitches ranking above 40%. What balances his chase rate out is how infrequently he strikes out, which will make him a fun development project for the Padres over the next few years. 

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