With the 2017 season getting started, here's a look at where the Padres' Top 30 prospects are projected to start the season:
1. Manuel Margot -- San Diego Padres (MLB)
2. Anderson Espinoza -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
3. Hunter Renfroe -- San Diego Padres (MLB)
4. Cal Quantrill -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
5. Adrian Morejon -- Extended spring camp
6. Jacob Nix -- Extended spring camp -- rehab
7. Luis Urias -- San Antonio Missions (AA)
8. Fernando Tatis Jr. -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
9. Jorge Ona -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
10. Eric Lauer -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
11. Carlos Asuaje -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
12. Dinelson Lamet -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
13. Michael Gettys -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
14. Hudson Potts -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
15. Josh Naylor -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
16. Chris Paddack -- Disabled list
17. Enyel De Los Santos -- San Antonio Missions (AA)
18. Phil Maton -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
19. Logan Allen -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
20. Luis Almanzar -- Extended spring camp
21. Jeisson Rosario -- Extended spring camp
22. Mason Thompson -- Extended spring camp
23. Jose Torres -- San Diego Padres (MLB)
24. Jose Rondon -- San Antonio Missions (AA)
25. Franchy Cordero -- El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
26. Javier Guerra -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
27. Allen Cordoba -- San Diego Padres (MLB)
28. Rudy Giron -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
29. Austin Allen -- Lake Elsinore Storm (A Adv)
30. Buddy Reed -- Fort Wayne TinCaps (A)
• Complete Padres prospect coverage on MLBPipeline.com/Padres
Team to watch
Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore may have one of the best starting rotations in the Minor Leagues to begin the season in Espinoza (No. 24 overall prospect), Quantril (No. 94) and Lauer, and it's only a matter of time until Allen, Morejon and Nix join them. At the plate, Gettys and Naylor are set to lead the Storm's offense, while shortstop Guerra and Giron will look to bounce back after inconsistent 2016 campaigns.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2017 season
Teams on MiLB.TV
El Paso Chihuahuas
San Antonio Missions
New faces
The Padres made a splash during the 2016-17 international period, spending nearly $80 million (including taxes and penalties) to sign more than 50 players. The gem of that group is the left-hander Morejon ($11 million), and he'll begin the season in extended spring camp before reporting to a full-season affiliate. Outfielder Ona, who's $7 million bonus was tied for the second highest in the class, will open the year at Class A Fort Wayne, while both Almanzar ($4.05 million) and Rosario ($1.85 million) will start in extended spring camp. Meanwhile, Cordoba, despite having never played at a full-season level, is one of three Rule 5 Draft picks to make the Padres' Opening Day roster.
On the shelf
Nix will be held back in spring camp as he rehabs a minor groin injury, though it shouldn't be long until he's ready to join Lake Elsinore's rotation. On the contrary, Paddack, acquired from the Marlins last June, will be sidelined for the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August.