Padres' Lesko unhittable in first pro start out of training complex

July 22nd, 2023

One year and four days from the moment the Padres took him with the 15th overall pick of the 2022 Draft, Dylan Lesko made his first Minor League start under lights, in front of paying fans. Long wait for the occasion aside, the right-hander's outing went just about as well as anybody could ask.

Lesko, who underwent Tommy John surgery last April, turned in three no-hit innings for Single-A Lake Elsinore, striking out four and shaking off three walks in a scoreless beginning to the Storm's 7-6 loss to the Dodgers-affiliated Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Friday.

San Diego's No. 3 prospect got much better results on the bigger stage than he did in any of the four starts he made in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League between June 20-July 15, posting a 10.80 ERA over a total of five frames. The point of those outings, of course, was to get him some pro innings and prepare him for a more competitive assignment.

Competitive he was on Friday. Working with 17-year-old catcher (and MLB's No. 48 prospect) Ethan Salas, the 19-year-old Lesko faced a lineup predominately made up of slightly older hitters with multiple professional seasons under their belts.

He threw 24 of 42 pitches for strikes, punching out two in a 1-2-3 opening frame, erased two four-pitch walks in the second by fanning two more and, after a one-out walk in the third, started a double play on a comebacker to complete his night.

Lesko's changeup was considered the best in the 2022 Draft, and he also features a mid-90s fastball and an above-average curveball.