As disappointing as the big league season was, the Padres can smile about two homegrown corner outfielders – Hunter Renfroe and Franmil Reyes – showing themselves to be feared, middle-of-the-order hitters.

Good thing, too.

The next crop of corner outfielders are in their early stages of development in the farm system. (Note: For this exercise, Josh Naylor – who played more left field than first base in 2018 – was considered a first baseman.)

1. Tirso Ornelas

Age: 18

18 Team(s): Low Single-A Fort Wayne

Low Single-A Fort Wayne 2018 stats: .252 avg., .341 OBP, .392 SLG, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, 45 runs, 5 steals, 40 walks, 68 strikeouts (86 games, 309 at-bats)

.252 avg., .341 OBP, .392 SLG, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, 45 runs, 5 steals, 40 walks, 68 strikeouts (86 games, 309 at-bats) Height/weight: 6-foot-3 / 200 pounds

6-foot-3 / 200 pounds Bats/Throws: L / R

L / R How acquired: Non-drafted free agent in July 2016 (Mexico)

Non-drafted free agent in July 2016 (Mexico) Need to know: With 2B Luis Urias ending the year in the majors, RHP Andres Munoz closing games in the Texas League and Ornelas opening the season as the second-youngest player in the Midwest League, the border-town Padres have three legitimate Mexican prospects to dream on. Ornelas was already a physical specimen when he was signed out of the Mexico City Red Devils’ youth academy for $1.5 million and he showed a head for the game as a 17-year-old in rookie ball, penning a .276/.399/.408 batting line in his first 53 games as a pro. A wrist injury cut his sophomore season short, but holding his own as a teenager in the Midwest League bodes well for his development. “We’re still excited for what’s to come,” TinCaps manager Anthony Contreras said in July. “We think he’s going to get stronger and bigger. It’s going to be scary when he gets some man strength and he’s able to go up to the plate and not put out much effort and let his abilities take over. You mix that with the person he is, it’s a full package that we’re excited to see.”

Padres minor league outfielder Jorge Ona started the 2018 season at high Single-A Lake Elsinore. (Lake Elsinore Storm)


2. Jorge Ona

Age: 21

21 Team(s): High Single-A Lake Elsinore

High Single-A Lake Elsinore 2018 stats: .239 avg., .312 OBP, .380 SLG, 8 HRs, 44 RBIs, 44 runs, 0 steals, 33 walks, 110 strikeouts (100 games, 368 at-bats)

.239 avg., .312 OBP, .380 SLG, 8 HRs, 44 RBIs, 44 runs, 0 steals, 33 walks, 110 strikeouts (100 games, 368 at-bats) Height/weight: 6-foot / 220 pounds

6-foot / 220 pounds Bats/Throws: R / R

R / R How acquired: Non-drafted free agent in July 2016 (Cuba)

Non-drafted free agent in July 2016 (Cuba) Need to know: Of the Padres’ investments in their $80-plus-million spending spree in the 2016-17 international amateur market, the rock-solid Ona cost $7 million to reel in as the fourth-best Cuban prospect in his class, according to Baseball America. He paired a .277/.351/.405 batting line with 11 homers in 107 games in the Midwest League in his pro debut but was off to a disappointing season in 2018 even before a broken tip of his nose forced him to play part of the season with a face mask. He’s dealt with a handful of nagging injuries thus far as a pro and has struggled to get to his plus power in-game, his best asset. Ona also has an above-average throwing arm as a right field prospect but not much range to speak of.

The Padres selected East Carolina outfielder Dwanya Williams-Sutton in the fifth round in 2018. (Rob Goldberg Jr. / ECU Athletic Media Relations)

3. Dwanya Williams-Sutton

Age: 21

21 Team(s): Short-season Tri-City

Short-season Tri-City 2018 stats: .256 avg., .320 OBP, .400 SLG, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs, 14 runs, 0 steals, 8 walks, 26 strikeouts (27 games, 90 at-bats)

.256 avg., .320 OBP, .400 SLG, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs, 14 runs, 0 steals, 8 walks, 26 strikeouts (27 games, 90 at-bats) Height/weight: 6-foot-2 / 215 pounds

6-foot-2 / 215 pounds Bats/Throws: R / R

R / R How acquired: Fifth round in 2018 (East Carolina)

Fifth round in 2018 (East Carolina) Need to know: A thumb injury sidelined Williams-Sutton his sophomore season, a wrist injury did the same before the draft and lingering hand issues limited him throughout his first summer in pro ball. He’s got as much power as anyone drafted by the Padres in 2018 and his athleticism – all-state in three sports in high school and can dunk – fits an archetype that’s become common in the A.J. Preller era. Said scout Nick Bannon after Williams-Sutton signed for $350,000: “His best day are ahead of him. Great athlete with a good blend of tools and athleticism.”

4. Michael Curry

Age: 21

21 Team(s): Short-season Tri-City, high Single-A Lake Elsinore

Short-season Tri-City, high Single-A Lake Elsinore 2018 stats: .261 avg., .319 OBP, .351 SLG, 2 HRs, 30 RBIs, 23 runs, 1 steal, 15 walks, 43 strikeouts (56 games, 211 at-bats)

.261 avg., .319 OBP, .351 SLG, 2 HRs, 30 RBIs, 23 runs, 1 steal, 15 walks, 43 strikeouts (56 games, 211 at-bats) Height/weight: 6-foot-1 / 212 pounds

6-foot-1 / 212 pounds Bats/Throws: R / R

R / R How acquired: 16 th round in 2018 (Georgia)

16 round in 2018 (Georgia) Need to know: The collegiate catcher hit 34 homers in three years at Georgia, including 13 while hitting .322/.395/.532 as a junior. Afterward, after Curry was called as an outfielder on Draft Day, General Manager A.J. Preller elaborated: “We called him as a bat.” As such, Curry started 32 games in left field, eight in right and DH the rest of his professional debut. Curry hit both of his home runs in the Northwest league and went 3-for-8 in a September cameo with Lake Elsinore.

5. Robbie Podorsky

Age: 23

23 Team(s): Low Single-A Fort Wayne, high Single-A Lake Elsinore

Low Single-A Fort Wayne, high Single-A Lake Elsinore 2018 stats: .353 avg., .403 OBP, .451 SLG, 1 HR, 27 RBIs, 38 runs, 24 steals, 12 walks, 28 strikeouts (62 games, 224 at-bats)

.353 avg., .403 OBP, .451 SLG, 1 HR, 27 RBIs, 38 runs, 24 steals, 12 walks, 28 strikeouts (62 games, 224 at-bats) Height/weight: 5-foot-7 / 170 pounds

5-foot-7 / 170 pounds Bats/Throws: R / R

R / R How acquired: 25 th round in 2017 (McNeese State)

25 round in 2017 (McNeese State) Need to know: In his second full season in pro ball, Podorsky was derailed this summer with back spasms that ultimately sent him to the DL for good in early August. The fastest player in the system after his draft year, according to Baseball America, Podorsky led the Midwest League with a .366 batting average at the time of his injury was 23-for-28 on steal attempts. He hit in 11 straight in July (.395/.480/.465).

Other names to know: Auston Bousfield (AAA, .680 OPS), Taylor Kohlwey (AA, .769 OPS), Nate Easley (A+, .752 OPS), Agustin Ruiz (A, .829 OPS), Jack Suwinski (A, .732 OPS), Tyler Benson (SS, .574 OPS), Aldemar Burgos (A, .658 OPS), Mason House (SS, .673 OPS), Blinger Perez (AZL, .694 OPS), Jaquez Williams (AZL, .771 OPS, Yordi Francisco (DSL, .711 OPS, Cristian Heredia (DSL, .675 OPS).


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jeff.sanders@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @sdutSanders