Not so long ago, the Padres were scouring the waiver wire to add the likes of Clayton Richard, Edwin Jackson and Jordan Lyles, before his career resurgence, to get through a season.

Now they’re regularly graduating starting pitchers from their own system.

Joey Lucchesi, Eric Lauer and Jacob Nix were among the starting pitchers to debut in 2018, top prospect Chris Paddack headlined this year’s graduates and plenty more arms are on the way.

Today, we look at the right-handers:


1. Luis Patino

Age: 19

19 Team(s): Lake Elsinore (A+), Amarillo (AA)

Lake Elsinore (A+), Amarillo (AA) 2019 stats: 6-8, 2.57 ERA, 94 2/3 innings, 123 strikeouts, 38 walks, 1.13 WHIP, .198 opponent average (20 games, 19 starts)

6-8, 2.57 ERA, 94 2/3 innings, 123 strikeouts, 38 walks, 1.13 WHIP, .198 opponent average (20 games, 19 starts) Height/weight: 6-foot, 192 pounds

6-foot, 192 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: International free agent in July 2016 (Colombia)

International free agent in July 2016 (Colombia) Need to know: Of the millions the Padres poured into the 2016-17 international window, the $120,000 spent on a little known right-hander could provide the best bang for their bucks. Patino’s rise has him ranked No. 3 in the Padres system, according to MLB.com, and No. 31 overall after rising from high Single-A Lake Elsinore to Double-A Amarillo. He struck out 113 in 87 innings as an All-Star in the California League, fanned three of the five hitters he faced to end the All-Star Futures Game in Cleveland and posted a 1.17 ERA in two Double-A starts before he was a healthy shutdown after throwing a career-high 94 2/3 innings. With the stuff of an ace — a fastball up to 98 mph, a swing-and-miss power slider, above-average curve and a change-up with room for improvement — Patino figures to receive his first invite to big league camp next spring. The Padres are expected to add a starting pitcher toward the top of their 2020 rotation, but Patino and system-mate MacKenzie Gore will figure in their plans before too long.

Michel Baez of the San Diego Padres looks skyward as he leaves the game during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park September 6, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images)

2. Michel Baez

Age: 23

23 Team(s): Amarillo (AA)

Amarillo (AA) 2019 stats: 3-2, 2.00 ERA, 27 innings, 38 strikeouts, 11 walks, 1.22 WHIP, .216 opponent average (15 games)

3-2, 2.00 ERA, 27 innings, 38 strikeouts, 11 walks, 1.22 WHIP, .216 opponent average (15 games) Height/weight: 6-foot-8, 220 pounds

6-foot-8, 220 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: International free agent in December 2016 (Cuba)

International free agent in December 2016 (Cuba) Need to know: Signed for $3 million in the 2016-17 international window, Baez is finishing the season in the Padres bullpen. He won’t lose rookie eligibility (50 innings or 45 days of service before Sept. 1), nor have the Padres completely given up on the idea of him sticking in a rotation long-term. Lower back and shoulder ailments delayed the start of Baez’s 2019 season until May. To at least have him throwing and completing the season, the Padres had him working in two-inning stints in the Texas League and the role fit so well that he was promoted to the majors in July. There, Baez has a 3.25 ERA and 24-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 27 2/3 innings, with a plus change-up aiding a 33.2 percent chase rate. His fastball touches 98 mph, another reason some see him as a future closer, but a four-pitch mix that includes an above-average slider is reason enough for Baez to be given every opportunity to stick as a starter.

Padres right-hander Jacob Nix made a rehab start with Double-A Amarillo in the playoffs in 2019. (John Moore / Amarillo Sod Poodles)


3. Jacob Nix

Age: 23

23 Team(s): AZL Padres (R), Lake Elsinore (A+), El Paso (AAA)

AZL Padres (R), Lake Elsinore (A+), El Paso (AAA) 2019 stats: 1-2, 1.85 ERA, 24 1/3 innings, 29 strikeouts, 6 walks, 1.13 WHIP, .253 opponent average (6 starts)

1-2, 1.85 ERA, 24 1/3 innings, 29 strikeouts, 6 walks, 1.13 WHIP, .253 opponent average (6 starts) Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 238 pounds

6-foot-3, 238 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: Third round in 2015 (IMG Academy, Fla.)

Third round in 2015 (IMG Academy, Fla.) Need to know: After an uneven showing in his first stay in the majors — he was two outs from a complete-game shutout and still finished with a 7.02 ERA in nine outings — Nix had offseason sports hernia surgery in hopes of finally have a healthy start to the year. That didn’t last long. He sustained a partial tear of his UCL in spring training, placing a difficult decision before him: Miss the entire year with Tommy John surgery or have a shot to come back his year with a platelet-rich plasma injection, rest and rehab. Nix chose the latter and was knocking on the big league door by season’s end when shoulder discomfort after a playoff start for Double-A Amarillo (1 2/3 IP, 9 ER) ended his season. Nix’s shoulder checked out fine, but his spot on the 40-man roster isn’t an absolute given as the Padres have to make room for 12 players coming off the 60-day injured list, including Nix, who is ranked No. 28 in the system by MLB.com.

Padres prospect Anderson Espinoza pitches to the Texas Rangers prospects during the Padres Futures Game at Petco Park on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

4. Anderson Espinoza

Age: 21

21 Team(s): Did not play

Did not play 2019 stats: Did not play

Did not play Height/weight: 6-foot, 205 pounds

6-foot, 205 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: Trade with the Red Sox in July 2016

Trade with the Red Sox in July 2016 Need to know: Acquired for LHP Drew Pomeranz after the 2016 All-Star Game, Espinoza began his stay in the system as arguably its No. 1 prospect. He posted a 4.73 ERA in 32 1/3 innings at low Single-A Fort Wayne in the summer of 2016, but forearm trouble led to Tommy John surgery the following year and Espinoza underwent another elbow reconstruction in April. He originally had a fastball that approached triple digits, a plus curve and change-up, but the road back to that profile is long given the fact Espinoza hasn’t pitched since 2016.

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Ronald Bolanos #57 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park September 24, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) (Getty Images)


5. Ronald Bolanos

Age: 23

23 Team(s): Lake Elsinore (+), Amarillo (AA)

Lake Elsinore (+), Amarillo (AA) 2019 stats: 13-7, 3.66 ERA, 130 1/3 innings, 142 strikeouts, 53 walks, 1.24 WHIP, .226 opponent average (25 games, 23 starts)

13-7, 3.66 ERA, 130 1/3 innings, 142 strikeouts, 53 walks, 1.24 WHIP, .226 opponent average (25 games, 23 starts) Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds

6-foot-3, 220 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: International free agent in August 2016 (Cuba)

International free agent in August 2016 (Cuba) Need to know: Originally signed for $2 million, Bolanos finished 2019 in the Padres rotation, striking out 15, walking 12 and posting a 6.62 ERA over 17 2/3 innings. Although it fluctuated at times, Bolanos’ fastball averaged just under 95 mph in the majors. His slider is his best offering from a four-pitch mix, while his command and control (3.8 walks per nine innings in the minors) remain the biggest roadblocks to reaching his ceiling. Bolanos is ranked No. 15 in the Padres system by MLB.com.

Reggie Lawson of the San Diego Padres Minor Leagues plays in the Padres On Deck game against the Texas Ranges at PETCO Park on September 29, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images)

6. Reggie Lawson

Age: 22

22 Team(s): Amarillo (AA)

Amarillo (AA) 2019 stats: 3-1, 5.20 ERA, 27 2/3 innings, 36 strikeouts, 13 walks, 1.48 WHIP, .262 opponent average (6 starts)

3-1, 5.20 ERA, 27 2/3 innings, 36 strikeouts, 13 walks, 1.48 WHIP, .262 opponent average (6 starts) Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 205 pounds

6-foot-4, 205 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: Competitive Balance B Round in 2016 (Victor Valley HS, Calif.)

Competitive Balance B Round in 2016 (Victor Valley HS, Calif.) Need to know: Elbow trouble limited Lawson to six starts this year, but he’s again pitching in the fall instructional league. The Padres signed him to a $1.9 million over-slot deal coming out of the draft but he has yet to hone in on any semblance of consistency. Ranked No. 21 in the Padres system, Lawson’s stuff includes a mid-90s fastball, an above-average curve and budding change-up.

Pedro Avila of the San Diego Padres delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 11, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. It is Avila’s MLB debut. (Getty Images)


7. Pedro Avila

Age: 22

22 Team(s): Amarillo (AA), AZL Padres (R)

Amarillo (AA), AZL Padres (R) 2019 stats: 0-3, 5.25 ERA, 24 innings, 31 strikeouts, 9 walks, 1.25 WHIP, .228 opponent average (7 games, 6 starts)

0-3, 5.25 ERA, 24 innings, 31 strikeouts, 9 walks, 1.25 WHIP, .228 opponent average (7 games, 6 starts) Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds

5-foot-11, 190 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: Trade with the Nationals in December 2016

Trade with the Nationals in December 2016 Need to know: Acquired for Derek Norris, Avila ascended to the majors in May, throwing five innings of one-run ball. He never returned, landing on Amarillo’s injured list with forearm trouble later that month. He returned to the Texas League in mid-August but appeared to blow out his elbow on the mound in his first start back. Avila is ranked No. 24 in the Padres system, but Tommy John surgery certainly clouds his future. He won’t see game action until at least after the 2020 All-Star break.

Padres pitching prospect Lake Bachar started 2019 at Double-A Amarillo. (John Moore / Amarillo Sod Poodles)

8. Lake Bachar

Age: 24

24 Team(s): Amarillo (AA), Lake Elsinore (A+)

Amarillo (AA), Lake Elsinore (A+) 2019 stats: 8-4, 3.93 ERA, 132 2/3 innings, 133 strikeouts, 60 walks, 1.41 WHIP, .259 opponent average (25 games, 20 starts)

8-4, 3.93 ERA, 132 2/3 innings, 133 strikeouts, 60 walks, 1.41 WHIP, .259 opponent average (25 games, 20 starts) Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds

6-foot-3, 215 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: Fifth round in 2016 (Wisconsin-Whitewater)

Fifth round in 2016 (Wisconsin-Whitewater) Need to know: Eligible for the Rule 5 draft for the first time this winter, Bachar picked a good time to take a significant step forward. The former NCAA Division III kicker finished the season with a career-high 132 2/3 innings and really hit his stride over the summer, posting a 2.27 ERA over 63 1/3 innings between June and July. Bachar uses a low- to mid-90s fastball with a slider, curve and change-up.

Gabe Mosser, Fort Wayne TinCaps, San Diego Padres


9. Gabe Mosser

Age: 23

23 Team(s): Fort Wayne (A), Lake Elsinore (A+)

Fort Wayne (A), Lake Elsinore (A+) 2019 stats: 7-5, 4.17 ERA, 108 innings, 110 strikeouts, 25 walks, 1.34 WHIP, .278 opponent average (22 games, 19 starts)

7-5, 4.17 ERA, 108 innings, 110 strikeouts, 25 walks, 1.34 WHIP, .278 opponent average (22 games, 19 starts) Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 185 pounds

6-foot-4, 185 pounds Bats/throws: Right / Right

Right / Right How acquired: 27 th round in 2018 (Shippensburg)

27 round in 2018 (Shippensburg) Need to know: In his first full year in the organization, Mosser finished fourth with a 4.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio among Padres minor league pitchers with at least 90 innings. He boasts a four-pitch mix with a fastball that sits 88-90 and tops out at around 92 mph.

Other names to know: Emmanuel Ramirez (AAA), Kyle Lloyd (AAA), Jesse Scholtens (AA), Caleb Boushley (A+), Efrain Contreras (A), Matt Brash (A), Luarbart Arias (SS), Reiss Knehr (A+), Angel Acevedo (A+), Jesus Lugo (R), Mason Thompson (A+), Cole Bellinger (DNP), Brett Kennedy (DNP), RHP Brayan Medina (2019-20 international class).