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Padres organization tied for most 100-mph pitchers in MiLB

By Justin Lafferty

Dauris Valdez

While the number of minor league pitchers throwing 100 mph or more decreased across baseball last season, the Padres organization actually experienced an uptick in high-velocity hurlers.

According to Baseball America, the Padres had five minor leaguers record a pitch of at least 100 mph in 2018: Andres Muñoz, Gerardo Reyes, Robert Stock, Dauris Valdez and Trey Wingenter. That figure is tied with the Rangers for the most in baseball.

Last year, the Padres had 4 farmhands reach 100 on the radar gun: Muñoz, Reyes, Wingenter and Miguel Diaz.

Throughout the minor leagues, the total of pitchers who threw 100 mph dipped from 81 in 2017 to 62 in 2018. The Majors experienced a slight decrease as well, from 40 to 36.

“To make the list, we have to have credible reporting from a scout, a coach or a club official who has logged the velocity with a radar gun, TrackMan or a similar verification,” wrote J.J. Cooper of Baseball America. “We will add to this list if we receive further credible reports, but even if we get a few more additions, this year will have the fewest 100 mph pitchers in the minors in the past three seasons.”

Two of the Padres’ hard-throwing pitchers (Stock and Wingenter) made their MLB debuts last season and appear primed for big roles in 2019. Another (Muñoz) ranks №22 on MLB Pipeline’s Padres prospects list.

Stock finished 2018 as one of the more reliable arms in the Padres bullpen, appearing in 32 games with an ERA of 2.50 and a K/9 total of 8.6. The Padres are even flirting with the idea of giving Stock a chance to start. Wingenter fanned 27 batters in 19 innings.

Muñoz, who will turn 20 on Jan. 16, was dominant for Double-A San Antonio in 2018. In 24.2 innings (mostly with the Missions), Muñoz allowed just two earned runs, for a combined ERA of 0.73. He didn’t give up an earned run until his final appearance of the year.

Reyes, 25, split last season between Advanced Single-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio. He struck out 49 batsmen in 39 innings at the Double-A level, but has been even more impressive in winter ball. In 19 games for the Yaquis de Obregon of the Mexican Pacific League, Reyes racked up 20 strikeouts and has yet to surrender a run.

Valdez, who stands a towering 6’8”, spent all of 2018 with Lake Elsinore, fanning 76 in 53.1 innings for the Storm. The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native also recorded 13 saves in 15 opportunities.