The Padres were aggressive at the trade deadline, dealing away some of the team’s best prospects to land Josh Bell, Juan Soto and Brandon Drury. The system features a new name at the top, shortstop Jackson Merrill, and the team reloaded in the draft by acquiring the top prep pitching prospect in righthander Dylan Lesko.
Today, we unveil the 10 best prospects in the Padres system as it enters 2023.
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Here’s how we project their lineup in 2026, with their 2026 ages in parentheses.
PROJECTED 2026 LINEUP
Catcher: Luis Campusano (27)
First Base: Jake Cronenworth (32)
Second Base: Jackson Merrill (23)
Third Base: Manny Machado (33)
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts (33)
Left Field: Samuel Zavala (21)
Center Field: Trent Grisham (29)
Right Field: Fernando Tatis Jr. (27)
Designated Hitter: Juan Soto (27)
No. 1 Starter: Blake Snell (33)
No. 2 Starter: Joe Musgrove (33)
No. 3 Starter: Adrian Morejon (27)
No. 4 Starter: Dylan Lesko (22)
No. 5 Starter: Robby Snelling (22)
Closer: Josh Hader (32)
Listed below are the prospects with the best tools within the organization. To go directly to San Diego’s Top 10, click here.
BEST TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average: Jackson Merrill
Best Power Hitter: Joshua Mears
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jakob Marsee
Fastest Baserunner: Korry Howell
Best Athlete: Robby Snelling
Best Fastball: Angel Felipe
Best Curveball: Robby Snelling
Best Slider: Adam Mazur
Best Changeup: Dylan Lesko
Best Control: Victor Lizarraga
Best Defensive Catcher: Luis Campusano
Best Defensive Infielder: Jackson Merrill
Best Infield Arm: Eguy Rosario
Best Defensive Outfielder: Jakob Marsee
Best Outfield Arm: Joshua Mears
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