Starting spots for Padres' Top 30 prospects

With the 2019 Minor League Baseball season getting underway, here's a look at where the Padres' Top 30 prospects are starting the year. We also identify the prospect who just missed the Top 30 list, a player who didn't make the big league Opening Day roster but should make an impact this year, a prospect who is ready to break out in 2019 and the team's best defensive prospect.

1) Fernando Tatis Jr. (MLB No. 2), SS -- San Diego Padres (MLB)
2) MacKenzie Gore (MLB No. 15), LHP -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
3) Luis Urias (MLB No. 23), INF -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
4) Francisco Mejia (MLB No. 26), C -- San Diego Padres (MLB)
5) Chris Paddack (MLB No. 33), RHP -- San Diego Padres (MLB)
6) Luis Patino (MLB No. 47), RHP -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
7) Adrian Morejon (MLB No. 48), LHP -- Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
8) Michel Baez (MLB No. 71), RHP -- Extended spring training -- rehab (shoulder inflammation)
9) Logan Allen (MLB No. 73), LHP -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
10) Ryan Weathers (MLB No. 91), LHP -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
11) Josh Naylor, OF -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
12) Cal Quantrill, RHP -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
13) Anderson Espinoza, RHP -- Extended spring training
14) Xavier Edwards, SS -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
15) Hudson Potts, 3B -- Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
16) Tirso Ornelas, OF -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
17) Buddy Reed, OF -- Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
18) Luis Campusano, C -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
19) Jacob Nix, RHP -- San Diego Padres (MLB) -- IL
20) Austin Allen, C -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
21) Tucupita Marcano, 2B -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
22) Jeisson Rosario, OF -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
23) Edward Olivares, OF -- Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
24) Andres Munoz, RHP -- Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
25) Gabriel Arias, SS -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
26) Owen Miller, SS -- Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
27) Esteury Ruiz, 2B -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
28) Osvaldo Hernandez, LHP -- Extended spring training -- rehab (shoulder inflammation)
29) Reggie Lawson, RHP -- Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA)
30) Blake Hunt, C -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
Complete list »

Just missed Top 30: Dylan Coleman
A fourth-round pick out of Missouri State last June, he reached full-season ball in his pro debut, posting a 3.24 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 16 2/3 frames out of Class A Fort Wayne’s bullpen. A four-pitch mix gives Coleman a chance to stick as a starter, though many believe he’ll end up in a high-leverage relief role, allowing his stuff to play up in short bursts.

On the shelf
The Padres moved Nix to the 60-day IL on April 2, after he was diagnosed with a slight tear in his right UCL. He’s opted not to have surgery and will attempt to rehab the injury, with the goal of returning later in the season. Baez and Hernandez are both being held back in extended spring training due to shoulder soreness

Impact prospect: Luis Urias
The Padres’ decision to break camp with Fernando Tatis Jr. cost Urias a spot on the Opening Day roster, though it shouldn’t be long until the 21-year-old is back in the mix given his innate feel to hit and ability to play anywhere on the infield.

Breakout prospect: MacKenzie Gore
The No. 3 pick from the 2017 Draft was hampered by a blister issue in his first full season and logged only 60 2/3 innings while making 16 starts for Class A Fort Wayne. Gore’s stuff and overall feel were still plenty impressive, though, and reports from this spring have his velocity up a few ticks and both breaking balls looking sharp. The 20-year-old southpaw seems poised to dominate this season, regardless of level, as long as he stays healthy.

Best defensive prospect: Buddy Reed
A member of MLB Pipeline's All-Defense Team, Reed's 70-grade speed and long, gliding strides allow him to cover huge swaths of territory in center field -- and he showcased that with his catch in last year's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Reed also has a strong arm and recorded 12 outfield assists in 2018, surpassing his combined total from his first two seasons.