While developments on the major league roster grab most of the headlines, the long-term success of the Padres hinges on what happens in places like Fort Wayne, Indiana and San Antonio. San Diego has already witnessed some fruits of that talent pipeline this season, as outfielder Franchy Cordero and pitcher Joey Lucchesi have been early bright spots, and gigantic slugger Franmil Reyes debuted earlier this week. More should arrive later this season, giving the Padres a better idea of what they’ll be working with in 2019 and beyond.



Here’s a look at the prospect stock of a handful of players early in 2018.



Three Up



Chris Paddack, 22, RHP, High-A Lake Elsinore2018 stats: 16 innings, 0.76 ERA, 46.4 K%, 1.8 BB%



Paddack — acquired from the Marlins for Fernando Rodney back in 2016 — has made just six starts in the Padres organization. After just three scintillating ones back in 2016, Paddack went down with a torn ligament in his...