Anthony Bass, Bryan Oland ... And Other Top Padres Prospects

Hitters yesterday, pitchers today. And leading the charge of Padre minor league pitchers through July 1 are two beasts, Anthony Bass and Bryan Oland (that's Anthony pictured above, back in his Wayne St. days).

I know, I know. Latos is probably the number 1 guy. But he was at the top of these rankings last month and I want to mix it up a bit. That's the beauty of compiling arbitrary rankings on your blog: you can do whatever you want.

A few changes this month: (1) only guys with 1.20 WHIP are lower made the list; and (2) the list is divided between starters and relievers. Hence, both Bass and Oland get recognition as the top guy in their respective roles.

To the lists.

Starters

1. Anthony Bass, RHP, Fort Wayne: Anthony probably should be in High A but, regardless, his numbers are hard to ignore: 7-3 1.95 ERA, 59/25 strikeout-to-walk ratio, 1.14 WHIP. He's given up 3 earned runs over his last 8 starts which is ridiculous. He's ready for a move.

2. Mat Latos, RHP, FW/San Antonio: Dominated at the Texas League All Star Game last night. I'm stoked for his first start this September as a Padre. I'm hoping it's against the hated Dadgers and he K's Ethier, Manny and Loney in order. Yep, that's probably going to happen. He is currently 7-1, 1.28, 65/12, .78 on the season.

3. Cory Luebke, LHP, Lake Elsinore/SA: Man, isn't Cory is exactly what the Padres need? A reliable lefty starter, maybe the #3 guy in the rotation, who can strike guys out? Picture him slotted behing Peavy and Latos in a couple years, or maybe as the #4 guy behind Peavy-Latos-Young. That could be a nice veteran-youngster mix. Cory is kicking it at 9-2, 2.31, 84/18, 1.02.

4. Tim Stauffer, RHP, SA/Portland: He was roughed up a bit last night, but the Timmy Stauffer comeback this season has been a heartwarmer worthy of Hallmark. You know the tale: shoulder injury out of college, still managed to fight his way to the majors, major surgery last year, and now back for another go 'round. Stauffer could be that mystery #5 starter on a pennant winner. The guy who had top of the rotation stuff once upon a time but could never realize his potential because of injuries. That would be some kinda nice, to borrow Mark Grant's phrase, if it happened. Not counting last night, Tim is 2-0, 2.17, 21/5, .86 on the year.

Relievers

1. Bryan Oland, RHP, LE: Bryan is a big kid, measuring 6'3" 230. As the Lake Elsinore closer on the season, he's racked up 19 saves to go along with his 3-1, 1.29, 38/11, 1.06. I don't know a lot about Bryan's stuff, but I like his potential.

2. Brad Brach, RHP, FW: A big part of Fort Wayne's success this season, Brad has 18 saves to go along with his 3-2, 1.64, 43/7, .70. He's been basically unhittable lately, giving up only 1 hit in 6 appearances since June 9.

3. Evan Scribner, RHP, SA: When the Padres acquired Evan last season, I thought they were going to move him quickly to the bigs to take advantage of the fact he was unknown to Big League hitters (similar to what the D'Backs have done this season with Daniel Schlereth). It wasn't to be but Evan is at AA now and is pitching well. So far on the season he's 4-1, 2.02, 35/9, .93. I bet he gets a long look in Spring Training.

4. Nick Schumacher, RHP, FW: Like Anthony Bass, Nick is a Wayne St. guy, for whatever that's worth. Not sure what kind of stuff he's got, but you've gotta like his 3-0, 1.08 21/1, .96. That 21-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio is especially choice.

5. Mike Ekstrom, RHP, Portland: Mike has seen a little Big League time this year but hasn't yet been able to stick. He will pitch in the upcoming PCL All Star game, which is nice. Mike is 3-1, 2.08, 30/14, 1.02 with 9 holds.

6. Zachary Herr, LHP, FW: The lefty from Nebraska has watched his ERA skyrocket since earlier this season, but his peripheral numbers are still choice. Must be a bit of bad luck for Zach. He's at 4-2, 4.09, 40/10, 1.15.

7. Eduardo Perez, RHP, FW: I'll be honest, I had not heard of Eduardo until I started looking at stats to compile this post. He is a 21-year old Venezuelan who, in 13 games this season, is 2-0, 3.51, 19/8, 1.17. He may not make this type of list again, but for now, well done, Eduardo.

Beamer Weems ... And Other Top Padres Prospects

I'm fully on board with the Beamster. Normally I don't get too excited about dudes from Baylor, but I'm officially in Beamer's camp, if you'll pardon the mixed metaphor.

I've never actually seen Beamer play, but no matter. He tops this month's list of Padres hitting prospects as of July 1. As you may remember from past monthly prospect posts, this is a ranking based on peformance to-date this season. That's why guys like Ced Hunter and Kellen Kulbacki, beasts of yesteryear, are not on the list.

Something new this month, only dudes with .400 OBP or higher were eligible for the list. And because I didn't want to leave anyone out, if you had a .400 OBP or higher, you made the cut.

On to the list:

1. Beamer Weems, SS, LE: Beamer is playing a slick SS - traditionally my favorite position - and rolling with a .302 2 26 and .471 OBP line. That works for me.

2. Logan Forsythe, 3B, LE, SA: Quickly becoming the beast of the entire Drino minor league system. The .480 OBP is sick, not to mention the .332 8 32 at two levels. He's actually hitting better since moving up to AA. September cup o' coffee?

3. James Darnell, 3B, LE: The OBP is slightly down his first week in High A but the power numbers are still there: two bombs already. His overall line is a pretty .324 9 44 .457.

4. Jaff Decker, LF, FW: He's been sitting out a lot lately with some back issues but that's okay, no need to rush young Jaff. He may be the prize of the system, after all. When he's not nursing his back he's raking to the tune of .298 8 30 .462.

5. Sawyer Carroll, RF, FW, LE: Another hitter who earned a recent promotion, Sawyer went 4-4 in the Midwest League All-Star game and is now playing in High A. Overall he's a steady .316 6 47 .408.

6. Mike Baxter, RF, SA, Por: Still hitting nicely after the move to AAA Portland. One wonders what the Padres are thinking with this guy. Probably at least a couple at bats this September in the Diego, one would think. He's hanging in at .349 5 54 .422.

7. Craig Cooper, 1B, SA: Still smokehousing the Texas League, Craig is at .339 6 56 .424. He may make a run at Texas League Player of the Year. That's got to get him some notice with the higher ups, you'd think.

8. Lance Zawadzki, SS, LE, SA: Rated a sleeper pick by Baseball America this season because of his power from both sides of the plate, Lance has raked steadily since an early power explosion to start the season. He's currently holding ground at .316 13 55 .402.

9. Daniel Payne, CF, LE: Surprise, surprise. Daniel is one of the least regarded of the Padres slew of 2007 Supplemental First Round picks (a group that included Payne, Kulbacki, Cumberland, Canham and Luebke), but he is putting together a moderately strong season. Apparently he is a legitimate CF and, if you ignore the .254 batting average which smacks of some bad luck, and focus on his 6 bombs, 25 ribeyes and .416 OBP, you realize Daniel has a discerning eye and some pop. I'm keeping an eye on him.

10. Allan Dykstra, 1B, FW: Quietly starting to learn his modified, wooden bat swing. The eye is still there, as his .400 OBP attests. His .212 4 27 other numbers should start to improve soon.

Mat Latos ... And Other Top Padres Minor Leaguers

Wow. June is flying by and I still haven't posted my top 10 Padre pitching prospects based on performances through May. I did the pitcher rankings through April, and I already ranked the hitters through the season's first two months, but the best pitching performances as of May 31 have so far gone unrewarded.

No longer.

Since I'm well past deadline let me just go ahead and list these beasts without comment. Their stats (through May 31) speak for themselves.

1. Mat Latos, RHP, Fort Wayne and San Antonio: 4-0, 36.1 IP, 38Ks, 8 walks, ERA and WHIP well under 1.00.

2. Will Inman, RHP, San Antonio: 4-1, 3.05 ERA, 44.1 IP, 36Ks, 8 walks, .92 WHIP

3. Brad Brach, RHP, Fort Wayne: 3-2, 1.17 ERA, 23 IP, 31Ks, 5 walks, .70 WHIP, 14 saves

4. Bryan Oland, RHP, Lake Elsinore: 0-1, 1.85 ERA, 24.1 IP, 28Ks, 9 walks, 1.15 WHIP, 14 saves

5. Cory Luebke, LHP, Lake Elsinore: 5-2, 2,88 ERA, 59.1 IP, 52Ks, 13 walks, 1.16 WHIP

6. Jeremy McBryde, RHP, Lake Elsinore: 6-1, 3.04 ERA, 53.1 IP, 55Ks, 13 walks, 1.01 WHIP

7. Ernest Frieri, RHP, San Antonio: 5-2, 3.65 ERA, 44.1 IP, 37Ks, 18 walks, 1.26 WHIP

8. Anthony Bass, RHP, Fort Wayne: 3-3, 2.74 ERA, 49.1 IP, 38Ks, 20 walks, 1.40 WHIP

9. Mike DeMark, RHP, San Antonio: 0-1, 1.82 ERA, 24.2 IP, 23Ks, 13 walks, 1.22 WHIP

10. Zach Herr, LHP, Fort Wayne: 3-1, 3.38 ERA, 24 IP, 32Ks, 5 walks, 1.00 WHIP, 7 holds

I'm already looking forward to next month and the possible appearance of Nick Schmidt.

Until then.