Padres popular in Baseball America’s top-100 prospects list

Despite his delivery issues at the alternate site, MacKenzie Gore remains the Padres’ top prospect and even the top left-handed pitching prospect in the game.

But best pitching prospect overall?

Not so fast, says Baseball America.

The Marlins’ Sixto Sanchez and the Braves’ Ian Anderson — both of whom debuted in the majors in 2020 — have jumped ahead of the 21-year-old Gore in Baseball America’s annual preseason top-100.

Gore is down from No. 4 overall at the end of 2020 to No. 10, behind Sanchez (6) and Anderson (8).

The Rays’ Wander Franco, the Orioles’ Adley Rutschman and the Mariners’ Julio Rodrigeuz make up the top-3, a space once occupied by Fernando Tatis Jr.

Despite his graduation, as well as the likes of Chris Paddack, and General Manager A.J. Preller’s trading binges over the last six months, the Padres have seven total prospects in the top-100, the most of any team.

They’ve had at least six top-100 prospects over the last four years, with the latest addition to the team, Ha-Seong Kim, debuting at No. 78 and last year’s first-rounder, Robert Hassell III, starting 2021 at No. 85.

Here’s a look at all seven Padres prospects in the top-100:

• 10 | LHP MacKenzie Gore: “Gore battled his delivery at the alternate training site, but at his best he’s a rare talent with four swing-and-miss pitches and immaculate control.”
• 11 | SS CJ Abrams: “A dynamic athlete who hit .401 in the AZL in his pro debut, Abrams has the makings of a future star on both sides of the ball.”
• 36 | C Luis Campusano: “Legal troubles in Georgia cloud his status, but on the field Campusano is one of the best young catchers in the game.”
• 76 | LHP Adrián Morejón: “(He) has struggled in the big leagues but is still young and has three potentially plus pitches.”
• 78 | SS Ha-Seong Kim: “The Padres added him to their system on the strength of four potentially average or better tools and defensive ability.”
• 84 | LHP Ryan Weathers: “Weathers, who made his MLB debut in the postseason, could bring a three-pitch arsenal to the middle of a rotation.”
• 85 | OF Robert Hassell III: “The top outfielder in the Padres’ system, Hassell has a chance to be a plus hitter with average power in center field.”