MLB
With the MLB Draft just around the corner, the San Diego Padres have 19 selections with which they can look to replenish their farm system.
It is worth noting that the Padres have the third-smallest signing bonus pool to work with this draft, with a total of $6,569,100 to spend on signing bonuses. With this in mind, A.J. Preller, Chris Kemp, and co. will look to find the right talent to bring into the organization.
Without further ado, let’s dive right into the simulated draft.
Credit: Demoines Register
Round 1 – 25th Overall – C/OF Taitn Gray, Dallas Center-Grimes HS (Iowa)
A tantalizing talent from Iowa, Taitn Gray possesses a blend of athleticism and physicality that has evaluators taking notice. Gray is a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate, although his left-handed swing currently possesses more power than his swing from the right side. Gray is not all raw power; he has shown an advanced ability to barrel up the baseball, producing some of the gaudiest exit velocities on the showcase circuit.
Grimes, Iowa catcher Taitn Gray with the first “oooohs” of the event. Part of Group 3, he blisters this ball to the pull side at 114.4 mph. Several balls over 112.
… mind you, that’s 114.4 off BP coming in at ~55 mph.
Untamable raw power. pic.twitter.com/TiAAvA8EgB
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) June 17, 2025
Gray’s hitting is his calling card, as the switch-hitter has power for days and an impressive ceiling in that regard. However, part of what makes his prospect profile an interesting one is his positional fit. Gray has seen time both in the outfield and behind the plate in his high school career. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he has the physical makeup to stick at either position. His catching is still somewhat raw, as his arm has been rated average by scouts, and his receiving is also a work in progress.
His footwork behind the plate remains in need of work, so his defensive performance at catcher is not in the same spot as his offensive tools at the moment. Nonetheless, there is still plenty of upside brought to the table by the switch-hitting Gray, with his potential being one of the loftiest in a deep draft class. Is there a risk with selecting the Oregon commit this highly? Yes, but without a second-rounder, Gray might be just the right player for a Padres system in need of sky-high upside at this stage of the draft.
Taitn Gray catch-and-throw pic.twitter.com/CYNGj3sGpd
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) June 17, 2025
Round 2 – The Padres do not own a second-round pick due to the signing of RHP Nick Pivetta (9-2, 3.07 ERA)
FSU Athletics
Round 3 – 99th Overall – RHP Cam Leiter, Florida State
One of the riskier arms in the 2025 draft, Cam Leiter has both electric stuff and plenty of uncertainty surrounding his prospect profile. The cousin of Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr., Cam, showcased an impressive arsenal with three above-average offerings, according to some outlets. His fastball sat in the mid-90s and would top out at 98 mph as a starter, showcasing some late armside run that would make the pitch particularly hard on right-handed batters. His curveball was actually his strongest secondary, with his slider not far behind. The curve is a true 12-6 offering, with plenty of depth; a real hammer through and through. His slider is no slouch either, as the pitch flashes impressive spin rates and tilt, although the command on the pitch is still in need of redlining. Leiter also shows feel for a changeup, although the pitch is still in its infancy.
Another look at RHP Cam Leiter (@FSUBaseball)… https://t.co/eemgCmmVg9 pic.twitter.com/DHgWJmW4hg
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 25, 2024
There are two major concerns with Leiter as a prospect: his ability to throw strikes and his availability. Leiter’s career numbers in two seasons at Florida State saw him strike out 32.7% of batters faced, but he also walked 15.2%. Leiter’s ability to find the strike zone consistently, as with many arms, will truly define his ceiling as a prospect, with the elevated walk rate raising concerns of reliever risk. His biggest “red flag” as a prospect is his injury history, as he missed parts of the 2024 campaign and all of 2025 due to a procedure on his throwing arm, which the right-hander described as a “clean out”.
He has only thrown 91.2 collegiate innings, and concerns about his injury persist as he heads into the draft season. While he has one of the higher ceilings of most projected Day 2 picks thanks to his stuff and size, how his command develops after he returns from rehabbing his arm will define just how high or low it really is. At this juncture, Leiter has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter, but if the command does not come around, there is still a chance he can succeed as a hard-throwing middle reliever with potential to pitch late innings for an MLB team.
From a sheer stuff standpoint, RHP Cam Leiter (@FSUBaseball) has one of the loudest arsenals in this year’s Draft class. Was a member of the AAC All-Freshman team selection in 2023 after posting a 4.92 ERA with 80 Ks across 56.2 IP. Leiter’s first season at FSU was cut short due… pic.twitter.com/A2TmBOPQyg
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) November 24, 2024
Credit: Coastal Carolina Athletics
Round 4 – 130th Overall – RHP Jacob Morrison, Coastal Carolina
This is one pick that is not changing from the initial draft projection, as Morrison has some of the most fascinating stuff in the 2025 draft. However, he is instead being selected in the fourth round in this go-around (try saying that five times fast). The right-handed Morrison is coming off a strong campaign with Coastal Carolina, as in 19 games (18 starts), Morrison struck out 104 batters in 107.2 innings. He walked only 23 in that span, never walking more than three in any of his starts. These numbers in a junior season are already impressive enough, but considering that Morrison was coming off Tommy John surgery makes these numbers stand out even more.
To quote our initial draft projection here at EVT, “Morrison is 6-foot-8, so his release point is one of the highest in college baseball. Morrison’s height and extension allow his 91-94 mph fastball to get elite carry in the zone, as well as impressive late movement to the arm side. The pitch is one that Morrison has shown strong command of, and he can generate whiffs at the top of the zone with it as well. His main secondary is a sharp slider in the mid-to-upper 80s with sharp late movement and some bite to it. The slider, and the rest of his arsenal, tunnel incredibly well off the fastball, thanks in part to his high release point.
His other secondaries include a fall-off-the-table curveball in the upper 70s, sitting 77-80 mph with sharp downward movement. His changeup remains a work in progress, sitting in the 83-86 mph range, but it looks the same as the fastball coming out of the hand, leading to soft contact when used in the right counts. For a pitcher of his stature, Morrison has shown an ability to consistently throw strikes and keep his mechanics in sync, which projects well for his future as a possible mid-to-back-end starting pitcher.”
Just doing his thing#MCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @CoastalBaseball pic.twitter.com/qIHKbRQlZv
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 16, 2025
Morrison remains a prospect of significant intrigue, as he is projected by several outlets to be drafted between the fourth and seventh rounds. MLB Pipeline lists Morrison as their No. 173 draft prospect, while Future Star Series has him at No. 139. Morrison clearly possesses the potential and stuff to be a starting pitcher long term, especially if he can maintain his command post-surgery. He has demonstrated that he has overcome the effects of Tommy John surgery, though his next season could reveal just how high his ceiling will be.
USD Baseball
Round 5 – 160th Overall – RHP Cal Scolari – USD
Potential is the name of the game here with Scolari. The Reno native just finished off a breakout campaign with the USD Toreros, culminating in West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. In 15 starts for the Toreros, Scolari posted a 4.22 ERA and 3.97 FIP over 70.1 innings. Scolari struck out 25.1% of batters while walking 12.9%. It was Scolari’s first real collegiate season, as Tommy John surgery in his senior year of high school wiped out his true freshman season with the Toreros. As a redshirt freshman, Scolari’s season has generated interest in the right-hander from Major League teams as well as other collegiate teams.
It took @calscolari only one season to establish himself as the premier pitcher in the West Coast Conference. @WCCsports | #GoToreros pic.twitter.com/MLNYwSn4Vc
— San Diego Baseball (@USDbaseball) May 20, 2025
So what does the right-hander bring to the table? He has a limited track record of success, but Scolari has a strong fastball-slider combination for his age. The fastball is the stronger of the two, consistently reaching 92-93 while topping out between 94-96 mph. The heater is more than its velocity, as he has posted spin rates in the 2300-2400 rpm range, giving the pitch late life at the top of the strike zone. His main secondary is a strong slider that sat in the low-80s at the start of the season, but reached 84-87 mph as the season went on, with stronger lateral tilt than overall depth, and possesses sweeper qualities that could be reinforced with further development. Scolari also possesses a changeup, but that pitch is closer to its infancy that it is to being a 50-grade third offering.
The West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year Cal Scolari is up to 8 K’s through 5 innings and he lets his @USDbaseball dugout know about it 😤#WCCsports Baseball Tournament on @ESPNPlus
📊: https://t.co/qImypTX4Dp pic.twitter.com/64GwobKqo6
— West Coast Conference (@WCCsports) May 22, 2025
The keyword with Scolari is “potential”. With an arm like his, paired with his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame, there is clearly the idea of a big-time starting pitcher. However, his limited experience in college also makes his draftability something of an enigma. Scolari has entered the transfer portal after his season at USD, and while the former Torero would be a hot commodity on the transfer portal circuit, he is projected as a 5th- to 8th-round pick. Picking him in the fifth round would be on the early side, but if he can stick as a starter, he would be a steal in this slot in the draft. Should the Padres be able to persuade him to go pro, he could be a starter long term if he is able to develop his changeup and further define his slider; if he ends up in the relief route, he could be an MLB arm in two seasons should his slider take the next step in development.
Saw Cal Scolari (‘25 RHP, RS Freshman) of @USDbaseball pitch yesterday for the first time this season 📍
FB: 90-93, 94, ~2300-2400 rpm
SL: 84-87
CH: 84-86
Should be an interesting arm with potential upside to watch down the stretch 📈 pic.twitter.com/wym216gVUM
— Henry Jones (@henryjones98) March 17, 2025
Credit: LA Daily News
Round 6 – 190th Overall – SS Diego Velasquez, Crespi Carmelite HS (CA)
Hailing from former MLB veteran Trevor Plouffe’s alma mater, Diego Velasquez possesses some of the most intriguing raw tools in the entire draft. The 6-foot-2 shortstop has shown impressive raw power on the showcase circuit, but classifies as more of a project prospect. His power to the pull side is his calling card, as his swing and timing have generated buzz from scouts. Velasquez’s raw strength and timing at the plate allows him to pull the ball with authority, but his swing has been noted as one that can get long. His approach at the plate has been strong for his age, but he has struggled against high velocity and elite spin on the showcase circuit. He still possesses upper-echelon bat speed, which allows him to continue generating power, especially considering the low-effort nature of his swing.
Diego Velasquez with an RBI double off the right-field fence. Crespi is rolling in the second inning here. Celts lead 3-0 over Simi Valley. pic.twitter.com/xzJw3LoCyk
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) May 9, 2023
Defensively, Velasquez has spent plenty of time at shortstop in his high school career, but scouts project him to move to third base due to his 60-grade arm strength. His 6-foot-2 frame would allow him to stick on the left side of the infield, and he has shown strong fundamentals at short. On the flip side, he also possesses average to below-average range and footspeed defensively, which profiles him as a third baseman long term if he sticks on the infield.
‘25 SS Diego Velasquez of @crespi_baseball
A little I/O work with the #USC commit. Fluid actions on the dirt with massive arm strength (93 across the diamond).
Has added strength to the 6’3” frame. Massive hands. Also low 90’s on the bump. @PrepBaseballCA pic.twitter.com/evjpb4nDCf
— 𝐋𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐚𝐜𝐡 (@LesLukach) March 27, 2025
His throwing arm also raises the possibility of a switch to the mound, as he has an arm capable of throwing up to 96 mph on the mound so far. While he is still more of a thrower, he has shown some feel for a changeup and breaking ball that, while raw, could allow him to either stick as a reliever, with the option of two-way play remaining possible with the Padres’ farm system.
‘25 SS/RHP Diego Velasquez (USC) of Crespi Carmelite High School
Two-way look at ‘25 #USCcommit Velasquez, who impressed both on the mound and at the plate. Sat in the low 90s and mixed in his offspeed effectively to keep hitters in check, finishing with 3 Ks over 3 innings of… pic.twitter.com/2c1nNMYhVq
— PREP BASEBALL CALIFORNIA (@PrepBaseballCA) May 24, 2025
Credit: Prep Baseball Report
Round 7 – 220th Overall – 3B CJ Deckinga, Minooka HS (IL)
One prospect who has found himself on the rise as the draft approaches is Illinois high-school talent CJ Deckinga. Not seen as a top 250 prospect during most of the pre-draft process, Deckinga has made his way up draft boards, and some have him as high as a fifth-round pick. With the Padres looking to save some money in the 2nd-4th rounds with some of their collegiate selections (in this projection), a talent like Deckinga is one who they could end up going after with some of the savings. As a player, Deckinga’s physical makeup is one of a highly projectable power-hitting corner infielder, with a smooth swing and plenty of raw power. The right-handed swinging Deckinga generates power thanks to a strong lower half, and his leg kick allows him to drive the ball to all fields. This season, he has continued to refine his approach at the plate while focusing on hitting the ball more to the opposite field. He has above-average bat control for his age, making his offensive ceiling rather high.
‘25 3B CJ Deckinga (IL)@MSUBaseball
A sleeper fav coming into the #Super60, the 6’4” 200-pounder opened plenty of eyes.
Premium projection on frame w/ smooth stroke. More pwr clearly coming. Athletic defender w/ strong arm.
102+ exit, 6.7 runner#MLBDraft || @PB_DraftHQ pic.twitter.com/ZRzIucIlm2
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) February 3, 2025
Defensively, Deckinga has made strides in his fielding and mobility at the hot corner. Coming into the draft season, he has looked to continue growing as an all-around athlete, and moves well for someone who is 6-foot-4. Despite his large frame, he is an agile third baseman with a strong throwing arm, and he actually possesses some sticking power at third base. He has a quick release paired with his strong arm. He has continually looked more comfortable on some of the more challenging plays at third as he told Baseball Prospect Journal back in May, “Continuing to work on my defensive game, whether that’s my backhand or forehand range. I also have recently been working on slow rollers at third, with my ability to field it with two hands and get the ball out quickly.”
“..𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢’𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦-𝘵𝘰-𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦…” – @ShooterHunt @cjdecks_10 was mentioned in Shooter’s 9 To Know Position Players from the #Super60.👇… https://t.co/BJdGyQBUms pic.twitter.com/L6DH1EFaXq
— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) February 6, 2025
The Padres would need to pony up some of their early savings in the draft for the Michigan State commit, but with this kind of offensive talent and steady defensive performance, Deckinga could be a useful utility player should be gain more positional versatility in the San Diego system, but the arm strength and all-around athleticism make him a good fit at the hot corner.
University of Virginia Athletics
Round 8 – 250th Overall – 1B/LHP Chris Arroyo, Virginia
Coming out of Virginia, Chris Arroyo has some of the most tantalizing power in the draft, but his stock falls as a result of his primary position of first base. Arroyo’s power is unquestionable, as it has shown up during the ACC season and saw him post an .880 OPS while being a year younger than his average competition. His swing is violent, with blistering bat speed that allows him to pull the baseball with authority. His swing also carries a sort of uppercut quality, as his launch angles have led to 11 homers in the collegiate season. Arroyo has something of a limited prospect profile so far, as 2025 was his first full collegiate season, but the left-handed swinging Arroyo still shows some promise.
The biggest question surrounding the Puerto Rico-born Arroyo is his ability to make consistent contact, with Fangraphs grading his in-game hit tool at 30, while MLB Pipeline rates his power at a 40 present value. He has a good eye at the plate, as he walked 10.6% of the time compared to a 13.8% strikeout rate in 2025. His fielding is average to below-average due to his limited range, which holds him to first base as a defensive position. There is also the chance that a team could look to stick him in an outfield corner if his athleticism can continue to develop, but he has the makeup of a first baseman through and through. His draft profile is similar to that of Gavin Sheets when he was a draft prospect back in 2017, although Sheets had more experience under his belt with stronger results as well.
Arroyo’s 10th of the season puts the Hoos back up a pair 🚀
📺: ACCNX | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/24Mi3OWTlt
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) May 16, 2025
Arroyo has something of a mystery card as well; in his first collegiate season with the University of Florida, he pitched 5.1 innings. He also did some pitching with the Cavaliers, registering 12.2 innings in seven games (three starts). His fastball sat in the 90-92 mph range, paired with a trio of secondaries. The fastball was averaging 2200 rpm in his time with Florida, and the velocity hasn’t seen too much of an uptick with Virginia. His secondary offerings are worth considering as well, as he has a changeup, slider, and curveball that he has shown in his brief stints on the mound. The changeup sits in the mid-80s, usually between 83-84 mph, with an average of 1,900 rpm, while the slider is slower (76-77 mph) with 2,300 rpm, which is below the MLB average. However, the slider has shown some ability to get some depth behind it. Arroyo’s delivery has evolved since his time with Florida, and is now somewhat reminiscent of former Padre Tom Cosgrove, which allows his stuff to be more effective with his velo where it is at.
Arroyo is another player who has entered the transfer portal, but with the question marks surrounding his hit tool, development at the professional level could allow him to mend the holes in his game. He is another player who could play both ways, and with some outlets having him in the sixth to ninth round range, he could be a steal for the Padres in the eighth round if his power potential can be maximized.
NC State Athletics
Round 9 – 280th Overall – RHP Andrew Shaffner, NC State
Draft-eligible for the second consecutive season, right-hander Andrew Shaffner has been a Swiss Army knife for North Carolina State, pitching in a variety of roles. The right-hander accrued seven saves for the Wolf Pack in 2025, tossing 37.1 innings to the tune of a 3.13 ERA and 3.14 FIP. Shaffner is an arm with more of a defined role than some of the others in this projection, as his arsenal is more indicative of a future in a relief role, one in which he has excelled. The biggest calling card for Shaffner is his slider. It’s one that stands out, generating strong east-to-west movement from a three-quarter slot. Sitting in the 82-84 mph range, the pitch generated strong whiff and chase rates in the 2025 season.
The NC State staff worked with Shaffner to lower his arm slot and release point by a few inches, which has given his slider the added depth that makes it a 60-plus offering. There is a lot to like with his slider, which results in his changeup going under the radar. Despite this, the cambio is still a solid offering in its own right, as the pitch has depth and good armside fade. Paired with Shaffner’s ability to locate and command it, the changeup could remain deadly for opposing hitters.
Now you see it, now you don’t.
Andrew Shaffner has four strikeouts and is keeping the Spartans off the board. pic.twitter.com/FlqKdbjQj2
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) April 1, 2025
Note that his fastball hasn’t been discussed. Shaffner’s fastball has some good velocity for his size, as it sits 92-94 while being able to reach 96-97 mph in short spurts. However, the pitch’s shape has been panned by scouts and evaluators, as it lacks much deception or late movement. The pitch is fairly flat and has proven to be hittable at the college level. Despite this, there is plenty of room for salvaging the heater. Shaffner’s lower arm slot that he uses for his slider lends extremely well for a sinking fastball, as it would allow him to generate good armside run while keeping the velocity in the mid-to-high 90s.
One up, one down for @shaffner_andrew in the fifth!
Butterworth/L. Nixon/Sosa due up for the Pack in the home half.
M5 | Wake 1, Pack 0 pic.twitter.com/4h4RaygGOw
— #Pack9 ⚾️ (@NCStateBaseball) May 18, 2024
Should San Diego select Shaffner, keeping him in a relief role would be the best bet to lead him to the Majors. While he may need more time with a lower-level affiliate to refine the fastball shape and flesh out the sinker, there is little doubt that when he sorts that out, he could be another name to add the the glut of Padres relief prospects next to big names Francis Pena, Tyson Neighbors, and Bradgley Rodriguez.
Credit: Kent State Athletics
Round 10 – 310th Overall – OF Jake Casey – Kent State
San Diego’s outfield depth at the upper minors has been something of a question mark, and the Padres are constantly looking to add to that area in the Draft. Selections like Kasen Wells, Kavares Tears, and undrafted additions like Braedon Karpathios have been additions who could work their way up. To keep the pipeline in the lower minors stocked, I have the Padres taking Kent State’s Jake Casey. Coming off his best collegiate season, Casey hit 17 homers and drove in 55 runs with the Golden Flashes, slashing .356/.500/.736 for a 1.236 OPS in 56 games.
Casey has developed a more refined approach at the plate, as he transitioned from an overtly aggressive style to a more selective approach in the zone in 2025. The shift in his approach was a successful one, leading him to secure All-Mid-American Conference First Team honors. Casey would be another left-handed hitter in this draft for San Diego, and despite his impressive season, he would be more of a long-term play. Casey’s breakout 2025 comes after a shortened 2024 season, during which he posted an 87 wRC+; his hit tool in games has shown weaknesses. The power is impressive, and so is the patience, but his ability to make consistent contact, especially on pitches low and inside, holds back his projectability. Low and inside is traditionally seen as the “hot zone” for a left-handed slugger, and Casey can be that player if he is able to make the adjustments when facing breaking pitches.
Jake Casey brings in 2 more runs on this hustle double to right!⚡️#BiteDown pic.twitter.com/DnYzB4fcJG
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 16, 2025
Defensively, Casey is a right fielder through and through, with a strong arm that lends well for playing in a corner outfield. His speed is considered solid for an outfielder, with an average base speed. While he isn’t going to be a defensive whiz like a Fernando Tatis Jr or a Daulton Varsho, he was still a solid defensive outfielder throughout his college career, even able to play center field in a pinch. Casey has upside that can be tapped into at the next level, but some of the holes in his game limit his ceiling as a big-time prospect.
HANG A STAR ON THAT ONE!🌟
Jake Casey goes full extension to rob the Broncos of extra bases!#BiteDown | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/egcUYXbQ1H
— Kent State Baseball (@KentStBaseball) May 11, 2025
Credit: AP Photo
After the 10th round, the Draft enters a realm of wide-ranging selections from a variety of schools and conferences. The following names are not necessarily in round order, but are names that the Padres could consider in the final 10 rounds should they remain on the Draft board by then.
C/OF Anson Aroz – Oregon
Entering his second draft’s worth of eligibility, Aroz was one of the most versatile players in all of college baseball. Aroz is not just a catcher, and he’s not just an outfielder either. Aroz is a well-rounded athlete through and through, with impressive range in the outfield. Defensively on the grass, he has been a human highlight reel at times, while his arm allows him to fit well at a corner outfield spot. He can at times play with a sense of reckless abandon, playing rather aggressively in pursuit of long fly balls, but has the range to hone that in at the next level. Behind the dish, he has demonstrated strong footwork that pairs well with his arm strength. Aroz has been good at managing the running game, but has some room to grow as a receiver.
Despite his athleticism, he isn’t the most flexible behind the plate, but the traits he has project him as an average glove with room to grow. At the plate, Aroz made strides in his approach at the plate, hitting the ball more often and with more authority. After hitting seven home runs in his first three collegiate seasons, he hit 17 in his senior season. His offensive upside is seen as limited with his struggles against high velocity and pitches in the upper part of the zone, but he has shown steady improvements over his collegiate career that intrigue scouts at the next level.
Anson Aroz (LF/C, @OregonBaseball) RS-JR homered in each game this weekend for the Ducks. He’s slugging .594 with 8 HR and 19 walks/19 strikeouts. Doing damage on FBs and SLs alike. Here’s the three HR swings ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wnROHzbwam
— Burke Granger (@burkegranger) March 31, 2025
RHP Jack Martinez – Arizona State
Talk about making the most of the last dance! After two seasons at Trinity College and a season at Louisiana-Lafayette, Martinez transferred to Arizona State. With the Sun Devils, the Wichita Falls native delivered career-high innings (77.1 IP) and strikeout totals (110 K’s). While his ERA (5.47) was also the highest of his collegiate career, the stuff he put on display weighed more heavily than the ERA in the eyes of some evaluators. His 32.2% strikeout rate was one of the highest on the Sun Devils’ staff, and his 9.6% walk rate was in line with his career numbers. Martinez’s changeup is his strongest pitch, sitting between 79-81 mph with late fade. Martinez can add a few more ticks on the changeup for more depth, and it is different enough from his heater to generate plus whiff rates. The fastball is explosive, but not “jump off the page” explosive, sitting at 92-95 mph but with average to below-average movement. The heater and changeup do tunnel well, and his slider has some promising sweeping action from his arm slot. The right-hander’s delivery is deceptive by nature, and this reverse-pitching profile his arsenal has led him to would make for an intriguing developmental process at the pro level if he is to remain a starter.
Just your casual five strikeouts through six batters.
Jack Martinez rolling early.
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/GrzjGafF8w
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 9, 2025
McNee State Athletics
LHP Alexis Gravel – McNeese State
Gravel bet on himself after a rough 2024 at McNeese State, and the gamble has paid off for the left-hander. Gravel’s 2025 campaign was a fascinating one, as he struck out 32.6% of batters while posting a ground ball rate north of 45%. He is primarily a fastball-slider pitcher, with his fastball sitting low 90s and touching 93 mph. His slider sits 82-84 mph with an impressive downward tilt. Gravel’s release point is a higher one for a pitcher of his size, as his extension has been described by some evaluators as “anemic”. This creates a high release point, giving the slider more time to travel and, therefore, more time to spin and break downward. The Padres have been emphasizing higher release slots in some of their pitching development, capitalizing on a market inefficiency, and it stands to reason that Gravel could fit the mold, even if he pans out as a high-floor arm.
End 4 | Gravel gets the K to end the fourth!!#GeauxPokes | #FERDA pic.twitter.com/KOnKFNHYGE
— McNeese Baseball (@McNeeseBaseball) March 22, 2025
RHP Brett Dunhan – Northeastern
San Diego has done well with signing players from Northeastern (such as right-hander Eric Yost), and Dunham could be the next in the Huskies’ pipeline to the Padres. Dunham spent four seasons with Northeastern and served as the team’s closer in 2025. Dunham picked up seven saves in 19 games with the Huskies this season, pitching 29.1 innings and striking out 31 batters. His command has been an issue throughout his career, but he exhibited improvements in that area this season. He did pitch nine innings in the MLB Draft League, striking out seven while walking six in his appearances. He sits at 92-94 mph with his fastball, accompanied by a slider in the 82-84 mph range, and features an easy delivery that is both repeatable and provides a low vertical approach angle. Dunham’s command will determine whether he will become a middle relief arm or a late-inning option down the line.
Of his 7 saves on the year, 4 came in the Beanpot Championship, the CAA Semifinals and Championship, and the program’s first NCAA regional win since 1973.
Finished his career in style 😎 pic.twitter.com/N86HsZu5sI
— Northeastern Baseball (@GoNUbaseball) June 17, 2025
University of Delaware Athletics
OF Aaron Graeber – Delaware
A model of consistency in his time with Delaware, Graeber hit over .400 in each of his two full seasons as a Delaware starter. His bat has been gaining traction thanks to hsi performance in the MLB Draft League this summer, where he played flawless defense in the outfield and showed light-tower power. His swing is smooth and violent at the same time, generating gaudy bat speed numbers. He regularly hit 100+ mph off the bat in the Draft League, and teams drafting him would be looking at the bat more than the glove. If he can lower his strikeout rate and keep barreling the baseball, Graeber could be a steal for the Padres in the late rounds.
461 foot home run from Aaron Graeber 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8dLCVQAWpQ
— Delaware Baseball (@DelawareBASE) March 21, 2025
IF Nicolas Partridge – Mulberry HS (FL)
Partridge would be a long-term play for a team signing him this draft, but his bat is already one of the most projectable in the entire draft class. His hit tool is more of a hit tool than a power tool, though some scouts can see him generating plenty of gap-to-gap power as he builds muscle and continues to grow. He has an advanced approach at the plate that allows him to send the ball to all fields, even if it is not on an “A Swing”. While his range is aided by his longer strides on the defensive side of the ball, Partridge is an average runner with the potential to stick at second or third long term. Picking Partridge would be about getting his bat in the system, but bats like his at his age are not a dime a dozen.
‘25 SS Nic Partridge has been a catalyst for Mulberry all year, scoring 40 runs and driving in 31 more 👊@GatorsBB commit laces a 1B to RCF, later scoring the game tying run
Flashed the leather a few times w/ a couple rangy plays 👍@ShooterHunt | @PrepBaseballFL pic.twitter.com/oGgpgKnTkL
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) May 21, 2024
Credit: Dripping Springs Athletics
OF/LHP Taylor Tracey – Dripping Springs HS (TX)
An absolute unit of a prospect, the 6-foot-5 Tracey has the stuff that scouts dream of. His frame is athletic and leaves room to add muscle as well, which breathes the “projectability” tag all over. His offensive profile has been labeled as a three true outcome hitter, as he has a habit of getting ahead of the baseball and extending his swing for pull-side power, with a keen eye to boot. There is some swing-and-miss in his game, which can be a worry, but with proper development, his approach can be refined. He is a two-way player, as his pitching has shown promise leading up to draft season. He has a three-pitch arsenal, and while his fastball currently sits at 89, its armside run gives it effectiveness against left-handed batters. His changeup will float in the 79-81 mph range and comes from the same arm slot, though he has at times struggled to locate it. His slider sits in the 79-82 mph range with some late bite to it. Though getting him to decommit from Tennessee could be a challenge, Tracey could very well be an over-slot bonus player for San Diego.
Oppo 🌮 off the scoreboard!
Taylor Tracey (@TaylorTracey20) hammers the breaking ball over the wall in right and off the scoreboard for his 2nd home run of the day in front of @FiveToolSTX. This one a 2-run bomb. #FiveToolPower #FiveToolHitting@dstigerbaseball (TX) 2025 •… pic.twitter.com/hlG78bZJOg
— Five Tool Baseball (@FiveTool) February 22, 2025
Quality start tonight from Taylor Tracey (@taylortracey20) in front of @FiveToolSTX. The LHP racked up 9 strikeouts in 5 shutout innings with 1 hit and 2 walks allowed. Worked efficiently and looked comfortable on the mound.
FB: 87-91
CH: 80-82
SL: 79-82
Pocket Radar Five Tool… pic.twitter.com/lwc7Z06Hvb
— Five Tool Baseball (@FiveTool) March 8, 2025
OF Danny Wallace – Papillon-La Vista South HS (NE)
One of the best high school talents out of Nebraska, Danny Wallace, can do it all. He has all the tools that get scouts and teams going, with his right-handed swing currently being more hit than power. Wallace has a very athletic build at 6 feet and 185 pounds, and his tools in the outfield are second to none. A plus throwing arm and above-average speed project him in the outfield long term, with either center or right field being his home on the diamond. His athleticism stands out among the crop of high school players in this draft, so much so that scouts can see him on the mound.
He has pitched at the high school level and pitched rather well. While his arm action can be somewhat lengthy (a la Jhony Brito), Wallace has been able to comfortably sit 88-90 while topping out at 92 mph on the fastball, and the pitch has both late carry and armside run. He has flashed a slider in the upper 70s with sweeper-esque movement, which could become a 50-55 grade offering in its current iteration. Wallace has all the upside of a Day One pick, but his commitment to Oklahoma State could steer teams away, setting his selection as a Day 2 or 3 selection.
Clearly, A.J. Preller and Co. have a litany of options in the upcoming draft to boost their farm system and develop the next generation of Padres.
Now all that is left is to wait and see the team’s process play out in Atlanta.
A born and raised San Diegan, Diego Garcia is a lifetime Padres fan and self-proclaimed baseball nerd. Diego wrote about baseball on his own site between 2021-22 before joining the East Village Times team in 2024. He also posts baseball content on his YouTube channel “Stat Nerd Baseball”, creating content around trades, hypotheticals, player analyses, the San Diego Padres, and MLB as a whole.
A 2024 graduate of San Diego State, Diego aims to grow as a writer and content creator in the baseball community.
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