Top Prospect
Austin Hedges - The 19 year old had a stellar season last year in Double A for the Padres as he showed maturity at the plate, while maintaining his reputation as an excellent defensive Catcher. Hedges is a natural at the catching position and is years ahead of his minor league counterparts in regards to presence behind the plate. He has a cannon for an arm and threw out 32% of would be base stealers while providing solid blocking and receiving skills. What surprised the Padres most was his progression offensively. Hedges won't ever become an elite hitter, but his power developed greatly as he belted 10 HRs while posting a wOBA of .354 and ISO of .172. These numbers were unthinkable at such a young age when the Padres drafted him out of high school in the second round. He showed far too much aggression striking out 62 times in 373 PAs while walking just 23 times, but Hedges has all the potential in the world to become a very solid major league backstop.
Top Pitcher
Max Fried - The 19 year old southpaw was very highly coveted as a high schooler and showed signs of greatness in his limited minor league time last season. The Padres handed Fried a big signing bonus in order to entice him from foregoing a commitment to UCLA and joining their minor league system. He has a fastball that reaches 95 mph and a curveball that is already established as a plus pitch. Fried's ability to change velocity while keeping his arm angles and mechanics steady show that he has the potential to develop his change up into a plus pitch. There's no doubt that he could become a #1 or 2 starter as the Padres may move him up through the system as quickly as he fills out his 6-4 175 lb frame. The 2015 season may feature two young exciting prospects (Fried and Hedges) as a common battery combo throughout the season.
Bronze Medal
Jedd Gyorko - There are many that would regard Gyorko as the top prospect in San Diego's system. The undersized 3B doesn't necessarily look like someone who can swing the bat with ease, but he's shown a ton of power in the minors and even during this year's spring training. Timing is everything in baseball: hitting-wise, mechanics-wise, and even injury-wise. He has shown above-average power against average pitching and with Chase Headley going down with a minor injury, the door has swung wide open for the 24 year old who is ready to hit off of some major league pitching. I can't see him ever becoming an elite player, his defense could surely use polishing even at his age, and his range and speed are not there, but the kid can hit, which is always something San Diego could use.
-Rich Douglas
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