Tommy Medica just misses hitting for the cycle in Padres loss by Joel Burdeos

San Diego, CA- The San Diego Padres acquired one of the Oakland A’s best young pitching prospects in right-hander Ronald Herrera as the player to be named later to complete the Kyle Blanks deal. The Padres also acquired outfielder Jake Goebbert from the Oakland A’s in the deal. Goebbert has struggled a bit for the Padres as he’s batting .170 in 13 games for El Paso with two home runs and eight RBI’s.

Herrera signed with the Oakland A’s as an international free agent out of Venezuela in December of 2011 for $20,000.

Herrera just turned 19 this month and was having a solid start to the season. In nine starts for Oakland’s Class A affiliate the Beloit Snappers, Herrera was 3-4 with a 3.38 ERA, 35 strikeouts and 10 walks in 50.2 innings of work.

Last season Herrera spent time between the A’s Arizona Rookie League team and the short-season Vermont Lake Monsters.

Herrera was ranked as the Oakland A’s 16th best prospect by MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.

Mayo notes in his scouting report on Herrera, that he is exceptionally polished for his age and features three pitches, including a fastball that touches 94 mph despite his small frame. Herrera’s changeup shows more promise than his curveball, and his fastball features some nice sink.

Honestly I’m surprised that the Padres were able to acquire Herrera as the player to be named later. He’s a young arm that at only 19 will have plenty of time to develop in the Padres system. According to most scouting reports Herrera is viewed as a prospect with excellent command and has the potential to be a solid big league starter.