The Padres AA Affiliate, the San Antonio Missions have released their opening day roster.  Here is a look at our top five players to watch, as well as the Missions roster.

Simon Castro- SP 6-5 210, R/R. After Mat Latos, Simon Castro was the next top pitching prospect in the minor league system. He only reinforced it last year in Low A ball by going 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA while racking up 157/37 K/BB in 140.1 innings. He has a plus 2-seam fastball and a 94-96 4-seam that dominates hitters. He is still developing his slider and change-up. He doesn’t have the velocity or command that Latos had last year, but it’s coming along. Don’t be surprised to see him in the majors like Latos if he dominates AA.

Wynn Pelzer- SP 6-1 205, R/R. If you are looking for a pitcher that resembles Jake Peavy, here’s your guy. Pelzer is a power pitcher with his overpowering 2-seam fastball and his knee buckling slider. How he comes along with the development of his change-up will determine if he will be a #1/#2 SP or a lights out closer. He was 11-8 with a 3.94 ERA and 147/59 K/BB in 150.2 IPs at Lake Elisnore last year.

Aaron Poreda- SP 6-6 240, L/L. Considered the prize of the Jake Peavy deal to the White Sox. This overpowering left hander can touch 100 with his 4-seam fastball. The problem is he has no clue how to locate it.  He was almost lights out in the White Sox affiliates, but once he was traded it went to heck. At AAA Portland he was 0-3 with a 7.16 ERA while racking a 30/37 K/BB in 32.2 IPs. If he develops some secondary pitches and some command of his pitches he could be develop into a hard throwing closer like Billy Wagner or a #1/#2 Starting pitcher.

Logan Forsythe- 2B 6-1 205, R/R. Started last season in High A. Played 3B but switched over to 2B this spring because of the depth we have at 3B with Darnell and Rincon. Has a strong understanding of the strike zone and takes his walks. At High A he had a line of .322/.472/.504 AVG/OBP/SLG. He then got promoted to AA and struggled at home hitting .246/.324/.323 but finished the season hitting .279/.384/.377. All he has to do is show more power and consistency and he should be in the majors in no time.

James Darnell- 3B 6-2 195, R/R. This prospect was the reason why Forsythe switched positions. Darnell destroyed pitchers in Low and High A ball hitting 59 extra base hits and having a .459 OBP. He hit .294/.377/.553 at high A last year. He has a strong arm at the hot corner but just needs to work on his accuracy which is the big negative seen about him. If he works on that he will be a valuable player because a bat like his can play anywhere. He won the Padres Minor League Hitter of the Year award last year.

San Antonio Missions- Texas League Double A Minor League Affiliate

Roster- Including Last Year’s Level and Position

Pitchers

Matt Buschmann- AA to AAA SP

Simon Castro- Low A SP

Nathan Culp- AA SP

Mike DeMark- AA to AAA RP

Brandon Gomes- AA RP

Jeremy Hefner- High A to AAA SP

Corey Kluber- High A to AA SP

Craig Italiano- High A RP

Cory Luebke- AA to High A SP

Bryan Oland- High A RP

Wynn Pelzer- High A SP

Aaron Poreda- AAA SP

Evan Scribner- AA RP

Catchers

Mitch Canham- AA

Luis Martinez- AAA to High A

Ali Solis- Low A to AA to High A

Infielders

Matt Clark- Low A to High A 1B

James Darnell- Low A to High A 3B

Logan Forsythe- High A to AA 2B

Jesus Lopez- AA SS

Beamer Weems- AAA to High A SS

Outfielders

Sawyer Carroll- Low A to High A to AA RF

Brad Chalk- High A CF

Cedric Hunter- AA CF

Kellen Kulbacki- AA RF