With all the buzz about the Padres farm system this year, I realized that some really good players were being glossed over.  A guy can get looked over for many reasons, but this is my effort to shine the spotlight on players that may not be getting the love nationally (and/or locally) that they deserve.  Below you will find my (lucky) 13 Padres prospects you should know.

Friarhood Top 30 Padres prospects.

Vince Belnome – After playing 3B for the Storm in 2010, Belnome proved he could play all over the diamond in 2011.  During an injury shortened season the West Virginia alum played 1B, 3B, and spend the majority of his season at 2B.  Belnome reminded people, Jedd Gyorko isn’t the only Mountaineer that can swing it by hitting .333/.432/.603 with 17 homeruns and 62 RBI in only 318 plate appearances.  Belnome also hit .338 with RISP and would have won the batting title if he reached 425 plate appearances.  For those curious, the Angels Mike Trout won the Texas League batting title after hitting .326

Matt Clark – Clark does an amazing job of cruising under the radar.  After a solid 2010 in pitcher friendly San Antonio, it appeared Clark would be in line for a shot at the first base job if/when Gonzalez was traded.  Kyle Blanks’ status was still up in the air, but when the Padres received Anthony Rizzo in the deal, Clark was the odd man out and was asked to move to the outfield.  Clark is now 25 and in the abyss known as the Padres corner outfield conundrum.  He will play in the majors very soon, but will it be in a Padres uniform?

Cody Decker – The best power hitter in the Padres system, Decker is often overlooked because he’s not 6’3” 230 pounds.  Make no mistake, if you want light tower power, Decker is your guy.  After returning from a crushing ankle injury that cost him most of the season, Cody returned and was named most outstanding player in the Texas League Championship series.  If he starts the season in Tucson he should lead the league in homeruns and could approach 40 if he is in AAA the entire season.  Self proclaimed the “Anti-hero” plenty of people will take notice of his super human power numbers this summer.

Jason Hagerty – Only a year ago the switch hitting catcher was named the Padres minor league offensive player of the year.  With the off-season acquisition of former Miami teammate Yasmani Grandal, Hagerty is the forgotten man, but not here!  The Padres have been moving Hags slow through the system so he could work on learning the position.  He caught at Miami, but after the arrival of Grandal, moved to 1B.  A great first half with Elsinore earned Hagerty a promotion to double-A San Antonio where he struggled to get things going.  Hagerty is a plus bat at the catching position and if he plays well in 2012 could be a September call up.

Miles Mikolas – After moving from the rotation to the pen, this Florida native has been lights out.  Splitting time this season between single-A Elsinore and double-A San Antonio, Mikolas was able to throw 72 innings in 62 games, while striking out 69 and only walking 15.  Since the move to the pen, Mikolas has thrown 153 innings with a 1.82 ERA, 147 strikeouts, and 30 walks.  He is one of 73 very good bullpen arms the Padres now have in the system.

Rico Noel – Like it or not, this kid has a lot of swaga.  Selected in the fifth round in 2010, Rico started 2011at Lake Elsinore, but after a slow start was sent to low-A Fort Wayne.  On the surface Noel did not produce at the level many thought he would in his first full year of professional baseball, but I’m not jumping ship.  A guy in his age 22 season with a line of .253/.345/.347 playing a low-A is a concern, but Rico is on this list because of three things.  His defense, it’s top shelf, the kid has blazing speed and takes good routes.  Next, his ability to steal is amazing.  Between Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore, Rico swiped 62 bases on 67 attempts.  Lastly, he can hit doubles.  I don’t expect homeruns from Rico, but 22 doubles was a good start.  If he can get that number over 30 it will help his case.  Rico should start at Lake Elsinore this season and is a great candidate to have a breakout year.

Juan Pablo Oramas – At 5-10/215 people may not notice Oramas, but make no mistake this guy can deal.  He followed up a great 2010 in Lake Elsinore with a similar line in San Antonio.  The Mexican born Oramas started off the season hurt, but was able to throw over 100 innings for the first time in his professional career, finishing with a 3.10 ERA and striking out 102 batters, while only yielding 28 walks.  The Padres are in no hurry with the 21 year old southpaw, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he played 2012 in San Antonio.

Jorge Reyes – The former Oregon State Beaver quietly put together another solid season.  Working on an innings count, Reyes was a starter and then moved into the pen when August hit.  Finishing 10-3 3.12 ERA and a 98/30 k/bb ratio, Reyes was solid as a starter and outstanding out of the pen.  On a team cluttered with starting pitching prospects Reyes did not get his due, but he will be a wild card for the Padres if he can project as a back of the rotation starter.

Edinson Rincon – After a down year in 2010, Rincon flashed the bat we saw in 2009.  Hopefully the third base experiment is over and he can move to a corner outfield spot or first base in 2012.  Overshadowed by Jedd Gyorko, Rincon put up an impressive line of .329/.394/.497 with 24 doubles in only 298 at bats.

Dan Robertson – Watching Dan Robertson reminds me of Eric Owens, but with more skills.  D-Rob is a high motor guy that despite not being ideal size, continues to produce.  The fourth outfielder for the Missions, Robertson was able to play super sub when Blake Tekotte was called up to the big league club and rotated with Sawyer Carroll.  In 1705 at bats Robertson has hit .309/.387/.421 with 198 walks to 188 strikeouts.

Nick Vincent – Ramona high graduate Nick Vincent once again remained under the radar in 2011.  After a great 2010 in Lake Elsinore, Vince watched as Josh Spence, Brad Brach, and Erik Hamren were promoted, but he was overlooked.  Being the 8^th inning guy in the minors isn’t always sexy, but over the last two seasons Vincent has an ERA of 2.07, 165 strikeouts to 43 walks and has thrown 161 innings over 114 games.

Beamer Weems – First thing you need to know about Beamer Weems is this…He is a human vacuum at shortstop.  After making the decision to hit from the right side only, Beamer made strides at the plate.  Weems season was cut short in July after taking a pitch to the face, but finished the season hitting .246/.331/.415 and .282 with RISP.  With a glove like he has, anything on the offensive side is a bonus.  People often talk about lack of talent at the shortstop position in the Padres system, but if Beamer can stay healthy in 2012, that tone will change.

Andrew Werner – The Lake Elsinore Storm won the Cal League in 2011, but most people did not talk about the pitching staff.  Werner had a late start to the season, but hit the ground running in June.  The southpaw finished with a 5-2 record, 3.03 ERA and struck out 55, while only allowing 13 free passes.

Notables:

Corey Adamson – Adamson spent this off-season playing baseball in his native country of Australia.  Going into his age 20 season, Adamson should start the season at Fort Wayne and be given every opportunity to excel.  He’s still growing into his 6’2” frame, but has the skills to explode onto the scene.

John Barbato – As a 19 year old Barbato played for the Emeralds in 2011.  He had an up and down season, but is a great candidate to have a similar season to the 2011 that

Keyvius Sampson was able to put together.

Matt Lollis - Lollis struggled at Elsinore, but a combination of things led to his numbers. He is still only 21 and will bounce back this season. I would expect him to start at Elsinore and move to San Antonio at the half way point.

Jace Peterson – The uber-athlete drafted 58^th overall in 2011, Peterson is a work in progress.  Early indications are that he will be able to stay at shortstop, but he is very raw.  He needs to work on driving the ball more, but has shown good plate discipline drawing 50 walks in 73 games, while only striking out 53 times.  He also stole 39 bases on 49 attempts.

Everett Williams – Drafted in the second round of the 2009 drafT. Williams had his season cut short after an outfield collision with Donavan Tate.  Looking to rebound from a rough 2010, Williams was slated to repeat Fort Wayne before having his season ended just six games in.  He is an uber athlete and for those that love toolsy guys, Williams is your cup of tea.   I’ll be keeping a close eye on Williams during his progress this spring, don’t be surprised to see him knock off the rust and have a big 2012.

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