Tirso Ornelas

Ornelas opened the year as the second-youngest player in the Midwest League, and while his slash line and counting stats may not stand out, it was a very impressive showing. He ranked top-15 in BB/K (0.59), Oppo% (36.8) and swinging-strike rate (7.9%), displaying one of the best approaches in the league while making contact at an elite clip, given his age and level. From a raw tools perspective, Ornelas (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) has a pretty swing from the left side and above-average raw power. He is still learning how to get to that power in games, but should be a 25-homer threat in a few years. The big selling point, however, is that his hit tool could be special. Ornelas can handle all three outfield spots, but he fits best in right field. He missed the final six weeks of the 2018 season with a wrist injury, but should be tested with an assignment to the hitter-friendly California League, where he will once again be one of the youngest players.

The Padres had a record-setting international signing class in the summer of 2016, and the early returns suggest Ornelas may go down as the best pure hitter from that class. He won't get much love on real-life lists, due to his corner-only defensive profile, but he could be a plus hitter with at least plus power. Ornelas finished fourth in the Arizona League in walk rate (16.8 percent) and ninth in OBP (.399) despite being the youngest hitter in the league (he turns 18 in March). His .133 ISO may not look like much, but evaluators project the 6-foot-4, 180-pound outfielder to grow into huge raw power as he matures physically. He could be held back in extended spring training before being sent to the Northwest League, but considering how impressive he was in his pro debut, the Padres could choose to aggressively assign him to the Midwest League. If he is sent to Low-A, don't expect much production, especially in the first half. This is a long-term investment that could pay off in a big way in 2021 or 2022.