San Diego Padres Top Prospects Rankings: #10-6

#10 - 3B Kale Fountain (ACL Padres) 

Kale Fountain, a 19-year-old infielder from Lincoln, Nebraska, attended Norris High School. He set state records for home runs (31), RBI (154), and stolen bases (84). Originally committed to LSU, he chose to sign with the Padres after being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. With only a few dozen at-bats to his name with the ACL Padres, he has not had time yet to uncork the power that he was known for in his high school tenure. He has demonstrated an early, elite ability to see the ball, boasting a .292 average with a .400 on-base percentage (OBP). Fountain may have been drafted in the fifth round, but the Padres knew they were drafting over slot when they offered him a $1.7 million signing bonus.

In high school, Fountain is a power-hitting third baseman with a strong 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame. If you want to imagine how this kind of height might look at third, look no further than Alec Bohm, the current tallest at the hot corner. His offensive profile is highlighted by plus raw power. Defensively, he has a strong arm and adequate fielding skills, which project him to stick at third base. His athleticism and size provide a high ceiling as he progresses through the minors. He has plenty of time to rise from the ACL squad, but he is expected to move up the pecking order among the league’s top prospects in the coming seasons. 

#9 - RHP Henry Baez (San Antonio) 

Henry Baez, born in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, signed with the Padres as an international free agent in 2019. He has progressed through the minor league system, making 26 starts in 2024 between High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio. His performance earned him the Padres' Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. This season, he is showing real views into the future of Padres baseball. In nine starts this season, he has an impressive 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts in as many innings pitched.

Baez stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 175 pounds. He possesses a fastball that sits in the low 90s, complemented by a slider and changeup. His command and control have improved over time, enabling him to navigate lineups effectively. This season, opposing teams have managed to average around seven hits per nine innings, while Baez allows fewer than three walks per nine innings, with a home run every 18 innings pitched. Keeping baserunners on the bags has been a key to his early successes. After being invited to Arizona for spring training this year, the Padres see his near-future potential to make an impact on the club's 40-man roster.  Baez's ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact makes him a reliable starter prospect. Look for this name on a mound near you in a few seasons. 

#8 - RHP Braden Nett (San Antonio) 

Braden Nett, originally from Troy, Missouri, chose to play college baseball for the legendary Marty Smith at the College of Central Florida. After going undrafted in 2022, he signed with the Padres as a free agent. Nett has steadily climbed the minor-league ranks, earning a spot in San Antonio's rotation. He gained attention with a 10-strikeout performance for High-A Fort Wayne in 2024. Nett shows a high upside with his 41 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched this season over only eight starts. He seems to hit trouble in the later innings, where his ERA jumps to 9.82 in the fifth inning or later. He would benefit from some expanded endurance to extend his strikeout dominance later in his starts. 

Nett features a diverse five-pitch arsenal: a fastball (60 grade), slider (55), curveball (50), cutter (50), and changeup (45). His fastball sits in the low to mid-90s, and his slider serves as an effective secondary pitch. Although his control is still developing, his ability to mix pitches keeps hitters off-balance. If Nett could see improvement on his endurance and changeup to make it a more solid choice later in his outings, we could have a great future weapon on our hands. Keep an eye on this one. 

#7 - SS Cobb Hightower (Lake Elsinore) 

Cobb Hightower hails from Salisbury, North Carolina, and played high school baseball at East Rowan High School, where he led his team to a 3A state championship. Although somewhat under the radar during the draft process, the Padres saw potential and selected him in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft, signing him for $852,300. Hightower literally and figuratively has plenty of room to grow. Only 5’11” and 180 pounds, his potential for power in his bat will hopefully grow as he does. In his first 60 at-bats, he has hit .222 with a .386 OBP. He needs more time to develop and truly find his potential. 

Scouting reports indicate that Hightower is an offensive-minded shortstop with a compact right-handed swing that consistently produces line drives. He projects as an advanced hitter with potential for 20-home run power as he matures and grows acclimated to professional pitching. His speed and arm strength are both average, and while his defensive skills at shortstop are still developing, his high baseball IQ aids his fielding. With multiple potential prospects vying for the Padres' shortstop of the future, this could be another situation that necessitates either a position change or a trade to avoid bottlenecks. 

#6 - RHP Isaiah Lowe (Fort Wayne) 

Isaiah Lowe, a native of Shelby, North Carolina, was selected by the Padres in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Combine Academy. Initially committed to Wake Forest, Lowe chose to begin his professional career with the San Diego Padres. At 6-foot-2, he possesses a strong, athletic build that has given him a solid but not overwhelming presence on the mound. After missing most of the 2023 season due to shoulder issues, Lowe made a significant comeback in 2024, showcasing his potential across both Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne. Lowe has had a bit of a slow start so far in 2025. He sits at 1-5 over eight appearances, posting a rough 6.48 ERA, bringing his career ERA in the minors to 3.79 over 32 starts. This start could be attributed to the shoulder recovery, considering past success. 

Lowe features a three-pitch mix: a fastball, a sweeping slider, and a changeup. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, complemented by a slider that serves as his primary out pitch, generating a 44% swing-and-miss rate in 2024. The changeup is still developing but shows promise. His control is solid for his age, allowing him to mix pitches and keep hitters off balance effectively. 

See the rest of our Padres' top prospects ranking:
Padres Top 20: #20-16
Padres Top 20: #15-11
Padres Top 20: #10-6

Interested in learning more about the San Diego Padres' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!