Having traded centerpiece players like Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy over the past few seasons, the Padres have restocked their minor league system and have a bevy of players on the verge of making an impact at the major league level.
San Diego also added two pitching prospects this season before the deadline, sending away reliever Mike Adams to Texas for minor leaguers Joe Wieland and Robbie Erlin.
Both pitchers were highly regarded in the Ranger organization and will have a chance to compete for a rotation spot for San Diego in the near future.
Last season saw the Padres finish last in the National League West standings, playing without the departed Gonzalez at first base and a patchwork roster across the board.
The Padres did get a look at first baseman Anthony Rizzo who was part of the Gonzalez trade, but in 128 at-bats Rizzo managed to hit just .141 with one home run and still maintains his rookie status going into 2012.
More can be expected of Rizzo next season as he adjusts to major league pitching, as he is only a year removed from a minor league season that saw him hit .331 with 26 home runs and 101 RBIs.
Also on the horizon is starting pitcher Casey Kelley, who was the other frontline prospect in the Gonzalez deal. Playing the 2011 season in San Antonio (AA), Kelly went 11-6 with a 3.98 ERA and could get a shot in spring training to break the major league roster.
Several other players have bolted up the organizational rankings with standout seasons in 2011, most notably Jedd Gyorko and Rymer Liriano.
Gyorko is a stalky third baseman who has done nothing but hit at every minor league level since being drafted in the second round out of West Virginia. The right hander hit .333 with 25 home runs and 114 RBIs between two minor league levels in 2011 and is currently leading the Arizona Fall League in batting average with a plus .400 mark.
With incumbent third baseman Chase Headley being mentioned recently in trade discussions, the Padres may feel more comfortable parting ways with him if Gyorko continues his pace at the plate.
The other prospect who opened eyes within the organization was Liriano, a speedy outfielder who improved his average by nearly 60 points from a season ago.
Hitting .298 in 510 at-bats, Liriano also had 12 home runs to go along with 68 RBIs. Liriano's speed was on full display all season long-- as he more than doubled his stolen base total from a year ago. His 66 stolen bases in 2011 was the most in the organization.
Still a few years away, Liriano will begin his climb up the organizational ladder as the Padres watch how he adjusts to higher levels of competition. He will likely start the 2012 season in San Antonio (AA) but could be on the Padres radar for a spring training invite.
Liriano has now jumped former first round pick and fellow outfielder Donovan Tate, who has battled injuries since being drafted and has not had much production to speak of in the minors.
Another outfielder who is likely closest to the majors for San Diego is Jaff Decker, a power-hitting left hander who blasted 19 home runs in 496 minor league at-bats for San Antonio (AA).
While Petco Park isn't exactly a haven for left handed hitters, Dacker has enough power to be at least a legitamate doubles hitter with the large gaps and allies in San Diego.
He could easily be in the 2012 outfield mix for the Padres, as Cameron Maybin, Kyle Blanks, Will Venable, Jeremy Hermida and Aaron Cunningham return to compete for jobs that are mostly up for grabs.
Here is a look at the Padres top prospects within the organization, with a look at what the roster may look like a few years down the road as San Diego develops their young talent.
Padres Top 10 Prospects:
1. Casey Kelley (RHP)
2. Jedd Gyorko (3B)
3. Anthony Rizzo (1B/3B)
4. Joe Wieland (RHP)
5. Jaff Decker (OF)
6. Robbie Erlin (LHP)
7. Simon Castro (RHP)
8. Rymer Liriano (OF)
9. Jason Haggerty (C)
10. Donovan Tate (OF)
Projected Lineup: 2012-2015
CF Cameron Maybin
SS Jason Bartlett
1B Anthony Rizzo
LF Kyle Blanks
3B Jedd Gyorko
RF Jaff Decker
C Jason Haggerty
2B Logan Forsythe
Projected Rotation: 2012-2015
1. Matt Latos
2. Cory Luebke
3. Casey Kelley
4. Joe Wieland
5. Robbie Erlin
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