Follow Prospects Worldwide on Twitter: @ProspectsWorldW
**Right below is the Padres Risers and Shiners list simplified. Scroll further down for FULL Future Grades, Role, ETA, and summaries on EACH PLAYER ranked on this list! Tons of 2022 Statistics on each player as well! Some player highlights, future outlooks and more enjoy!**
| Rank | Player | Position | How Acquired |
| 1 | Jackson Merrill | SS | 1st Round 2021 Draft – 27th Overall |
| 2 | Samuel Zavala | OF | International Signing 2021 |
| 3 | Dylan Lesko | RHP | 1st Round 2022 Draft – 15th Overall |
| 4 | Robby Snelling | LHP | 1st Round 2022 Draft – 39th Overall |
| 5 | Victor Lizarraga | RHP | International Signing 2021 |
| 6 | Adam Mazur | RHP | 2nd Round 2022 Draft – 53rd Overall |
| 7 | Eguy Rosario | 2B | International Signing 2015 |
| 8 | Nathan Martorella | 1B | 5th Round – 2022 Draft |
| 9 | Jackson Wolf | LHP | 4th Round – 2021 Draft |
| 10 | Rosman Verdugo | SS/2B | International Signing 2022 |
| Risers | |||
| 1 | Jairo Iriarte | RHP | International Signing 2018 |
| 2 | Henry Williams | RHP | 3rd Round – 2022 Draft |
| 3 | Graham Pauley | 3B | 13th Round – 2022 Draft |
| 4 | Yendry Rojas | SS | International Signing 2022 |
| 5 | Garrett Hawkins | 1B | 9th Round – 2021 Draft |
1. Jackson Merrill SS | Lake Elsinore Storm (A)
19-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: R | 6’3″ | 195 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | DISC | Role |
| 70 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 55 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .339 | .395 | .511 | .906 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 17.6% | 8.0% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .172 | 135 | 7.4% | 58.1% | 15.1% | 26.8% | 39.1% | 22.3% | 38.6% |
Scouting Report:
Well here’s another Padres prospect that’s making waves in the baseball industry, Merrill has quickly become one of the top prospects in all of baseball and is solid on both sides of the ball. While he missed a lot of time in 2022, he turned to the Arizona Fall League and was among the top bats out here in Arizona. In the end, Merrill still has developing power but that hit is easily a plus. There’s a good chance he’s a big part of the Padres future plans and with the uncertainty of Xander Bogaerts playing short through his entire contract, Merrill could be the shortstop of the future for the Padres. 2024 seems like a logical time for his arrival in San Diego.
Written By: Drake Mann (@Drakemann4)
2. Samuel Zavala OF | Lake Elsinore Storm (A)
18-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: L | 6’1″ | 180 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 55 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .272 | .366 | .530 | .896 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 27.3% | 13.1% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .258 | 128 | 14.2% | 41.2% | 17.5% | 41.2% | 56.0% | 25.0% | 19.0% |
Scouting Report:
Zavala had somewhat of a breakout in 2022 which cemented himself as a top 100 prospect on many lists. I was able to watch some of him at the Arizona Complex league and what immediately stuck out to me was his ability to hit to all fields and his power to the opposite way. Zavala is another extremely young player with high potential in this system and don’t be surprised if he rises even more in 2023.
Written By: Drake Mann (@Drakemann4)
3. Dylan Lesko RHP | ACL Padres (ROK)
19-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 195 lbs. | ETA: 2026
| FB | CB | CH | Control | Role |
| 70 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 5 |
*No Stats for 2022 Season*
Scouting Report:
Lesko was the top prep pitcher in last years draft and if it weren’t for Tommy John surgery would’ve been a top 5 pick. Lesko listed at 6’2 195 LBS has the prototypical frame and smooth repeatable delivery that teams covet. Equipped with a fastball that sits mid 90s and can touch 97 on occasion is a solid offering and a curveball that has potential to play up but currently is a fairly average offering. The true weapon Lesko possesses is a changeup that sits in the low 80s and has the ability to make opposing hitters look silly. Overall I see a strong #2 in a future Padres rotation and a few All Star game nods as possible.
Written By: Jake Wood (@woodbat28)
4. Robby Snelling LHP | ACL Padres (ROK)
19-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: L | 6’3″ | 210 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| FB | CB | CH | Control | Role |
| 55 | 60 | 45 | 50 | 5 |
*No Stats for 2022 Season*
Scouting Report:
Snelling, another prep starter selected in the draft last year as a comp pick at 6’3 and 210 pounds. Another highly projectable frame with a little lower ceiling than 1st round pick Dylan Lesko. Snelling’s fastball sits low to mid 90s and an above average curve with good depth and spin rates but beyond that Snelling lacks a quality 3rd pitch and uses a changeup as a just another look pitch. His ceiling relies on the development of that 3rd pitch where he could wind up being a strong #4 starter with some reliever risk if he fails to develop.
Written By: Jake Wood (@woodbat28)
5. Victor Lizarraga RHP | Lake Elsinore Storm (A)
19-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’3″ | 180 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| FB | CB | CH | Control | Role |
| 55 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 94.1 | 20 | 19 | 3.43 | 1.28 | 23.3% | 8.3% | 0.48 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 13.4% | 4.96 | 49.2% | 12.6% | 38.2% | 40.1% | 27.9% | 32.0% |
Scouting Report:
Signed out of Mexico in 2021 listed at 6’3 180 LBS has some strong boom or bust potential. Lizarraga has the size and and delivery to become a future mid rotation starter but his ceiling could go higher if he’s able to effectively mature into his body. His Fastball sits in the low 90’s but obviously that should increase as he matures to which it could become an above average to plus offering. Lizarraga secondary stuff is very average but still to be seen what he is able to add once he is able to get professional development.
Written By: Jake Wood (@woodbat28)
6. Adam Mazur RHP | ACL Padres (ROK)
22-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 180 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Control | Role |
| 50 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 55 | 5 |
*No Stats for 2022 Season*
Scouting Report:
Another 2022 draftee that has yet to debut, Mazur has a solid frame and clean, repeatable mechanics that’ll help him remain a starter going forward. He has a four-pitch mix that includes a fastball that sits low-to-mid 90’s and three secondaries that include a slider, changeup, and curveball. His changeup is a solid offering and his curveball and slider both come with substantial potential. 2023 could possibly be a big year for Mazur as his stuff could propel him to multiple level advancement.
Written By: Drake Mann (@Drakemann4)
7. Eguy Rosario 3B | El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 5’9″ | 150 lbs. | ETA: 2022
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .288 | .368 | .508 | .876 | 22 | 21 | 8 | 19.3% | 10.5% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .220 | 116 | 12.0% | 36.7% | 24.4% | 38.8% | 49.1% | 24.2% | 26.7% |
Scouting Report:
Rosario signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 has steadily progressed throughout his time in the minors. He broke out in the ’22 season belting 22 HR’s but it’s still to be seen if he can repeat that production and had a brief cup of coffee with the Padres. Long term Rosario’s floor is a quality utility player and capable of playing every day in a pinch. His Ceiling is a solid everyday major leaguer but nothing more than that.
Written By: Jake Wood (@woodbat28)
8. Nathan Martorella 1B | Lake Elsinore Storm (A)
24-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 5’11” | 230 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 55 | 40 | 50 | 20 | 50 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .322 | .322 | .511 | .932 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19.6% | 15.0% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .189 | 146 | 9.9% | 49.2% | 23.1% | 27.7% | 33.8% | 36.8% | 29.4% |
Scouting Report:
After being drafted in the 5th round, Martorella had a solid first year of pro-ball and looks to continue his success into the 2023 season. With his mix of bat speed and a smooth bat path, he has an above-average hit tool with some pop in his bat. Most of his value comes from his bat as he’s an average fielder and doesn’t have a lot of speed. But in the end, he could be a massive riser in the Padres system and 2024 could be a target date for his ETA.
Written By: Drake Mann (@Drakemann4)
9. Jackson Wolf LHP | San Antonio Missions (AA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: L | 6’7″ | 205 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| FB | SL | CB | CH | Control | Role |
| 45 | 60 | 55 | 45 | 45 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 129.2 | 25 | 24 | 4.37 | 1.18 | 26.5% | 9.3% | 1.18 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 12.2% | 4.28 | 35.1% | 15.9% | 49.1% | 41.9% | 26.5% | 31.6% |
Scouting Report:
An imposing monster in terms of physical presence on the mound Wolf’s actual stuff doesn’t tend to play the way you’d expect from a 6’7 lefty. Wolf’s Fastball and Changeup leave a lot to be desired in terms of quality and movement. His true calling card is the breaking balls from a low 3/4 arm slot gives lefties fits especially his slider which is well above average. Wolf’s overall ceiling seems to be between a #5 starter and a bullpen swingman type. If Wolf can add a couple MPH to his Fastball he can raise his ceiling and solidify himself as a potential rotation starter but for now he looks more like a lefty out of the pen.
Written By: Jake Wood (@woodbat28)
10. Rosman Verdugo INF | ACL Padres (ROK)
18-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’0″ | 180 lbs. | ETA: 2027
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 50 | 45 | 55 | 40 | 60 | 4 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .251 | .338 | .467 | .806 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 35.4% | 11.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .216 | 116 | 27.6% | 30.3% | 12.1% | 57.6% | 48.0% | 34.3% | 17.6% |
Scouting Report:
This is one name that could explode up rankings in the 2023 season. Verdugo didn’t play a single game in the Dominican Summer League and instead went to the Arizona Complex league and performed well. Verdugo is already projecting to be a plus defender with solid arm strength. While his hit tool figures to be average, most of his value will come defensively as he’s a capable defender at shortstop, second base and third base. One of his faults is he’s still a very raw player but has solid potential to contribute at the major league level. 2023 will be a big year of development for Verdugo as he’ll be one of the younger players in low-a at some point in 2023.
Written By: Drake Mann (@Drakemann4)
Risers:
1 Jairo Iriarte RHP | Lake Elsinore Storm (A)
21-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 160 lbs. | ETA: 2024
2. Henry Williams RHP | ACL Padres (ROK)
21-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’5″ | 200 lbs. | ETA: 2024
3. Graham Pauley INF | Lake Elsinore Storm (A)
22-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 200 lbs. | ETA: 2024
4. Yendry Rojas SS | ACL Padres (ROK)
18-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: R | 6’0″ | 185 lbs. | ETA: 2027
5. Garrett Hawkins RHP | Fort Wayne Tin Caps (A+)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’5″ | 230 lbs. | ETA: 2024
Follow us on Twitter @ProspectsWorldW
SUBSCRIBE To our YouTube channel! For amateur and Minor League prospects
