Scott Keene

#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 View full article

#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 View full article

Boston Bateman, a towering 6-foot-8 left-handed pitcher from Camarillo, California, is quickly making his mark in the San Diego Padres' minor league system. Selected 52nd overall in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Bateman’s early performances have showcased his potential as a future mainstay in the Padres’ rotation—or perhaps a secret weapon for the ever-strategic AJ Preller. Drafting a player straight out of high school is often a high-risk, high-reward proposition. However, the Padres’ scouting department, under Preller’s direction, has shown a knack for identifying elite young talent. The success stories of Jackson Merrill and high-potential prospects like CJ Abrams and Robert Hassell III—now key trade assets—highlight their track record. While some of these players may still be learning to shave without a safety razor, finding talent like that is as rare as hen’s teeth in Major League Baseball. Given that context, Preller’s success in identifying high-upside prep talent might earn him a seat at the craps table in Las Vegas. Bateman wasn’t even the first high school pitcher taken by the Padres in 2024. That honor went to Kash Mayfield, selected 25th overall. Still, Bateman was no afterthought. He was ranked in the national Top 10 and third among left-handed pitchers in California, according to Perfect Game. His high school career was marked by a fastball that reached 97 mph—a velocity often compared to a young Randy Johnson—and a sharp, 12–6 curveball that baffled hitters well beyond his age group. Now 19, Bateman has already made his professional debut with the Single-A Lake Elsinore Storm. In his first four outings in 2025, he posted a 3.86 ERA over 18 2/3 innings, striking out 21 batters. His most notable performance featured six scoreless innings with five strikeouts and just two hits allowed—a strong early indicator of his ability to dominate at the next level. Bateman’s frame gives him a unique advantage on the mound. His height allows for a steep downhill plane, making his pitches harder to pick up, especially for left-handed hitters. His fastball, which consistently sits in the 92–97 mph range, pairs well with his plus curveball, which has significant depth and late bite. Currently, he works primarily with those two offerings, but developing a third—and possibly a fourth—pitch will be critical if he hopes to claim a permanent spot in a major league rotation. With that in mind, he has shown an intent to add a changeup and slider to his curve and a four-seam fastball by demonstrating his grips recently in a video posted by The Prospect Pipeline. Whether or not those develop into major league-quality pitches in his arsenal is yet to be seen. That development timeline may delay his arrival in the big leagues, but the tools he already possesses are advanced for his age. If he can continue to refine his command and add more off-speed pitches to keep hitters guessing, Bateman could become a dynamic starter. He already has a solid fastball, which still lacks a bit of movement. Perfecting his new four-finger' kick change” variant and his slider grip to add more horizontal variation to his portfolio could elevate him to the next tier. Traditionally, a starter with only two solid pitches may struggle in later innings. Batters don’t have to guess as much and can more easily tee off as they learn the pitchers’ patterns in these by the time they get through the lineup a few times. Pitchers like this typically end up in a set-up or short relief spot to minimize the ability to learn the pitcher's tendencies over time. With a pitching staff like the Padres organization, I don’t foresee a problem adding some pitches and being a possible dominant force in the MLB for years to come, whether for the Padres or another club in return for a current MLB star in the future. There’s a long road ahead for Bateman, but his upside is clear. Realistically, Padres fans shouldn’t expect to see him in the majors before the 2028 or 2029 season. If he reaches his full potential, he projects as a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter in a competitive rotation along with Kash Mayfield. Should he struggle to add reliable third and fourth pitches, his fastball-breaking ball combination could still make him a valuable asset out of the bullpen—possibly even as a future closer, with Robert Suarez–like velocity and presence. Either way, the Padres appear to have landed another promising arm through the draft—one worth watching closely in the years ahead. View full article