San Diego Padres 2024 MLB Draft Review

Draft Theme: Pricy Prep Profiles

For the eighth consecutive draft, the Padres used their first overall pick on a high school player. This year it was LHP Kash Mayfield. San Diego didn’t stop there, however, as they also selected LHP Boston Bateman in the second round, an under-the-radar pop-up prep prospect in SS Owen Hightower in the third and then 3B Kale Fountain and his massive raw power potential in the fifth. In order to ensure they could pay all these high school players enough money to sign them away from college, the Padres drafted six college seniors inside the first 10 rounds, starting with RHP Clark Candiotti with a fourth round compensation pick. 

Most Interesting Day 2 Pick: 3B Kale Fountain, 5th round

Fountain is an extra-large, 6-foot-5, 230-pound corner infielder who has big raw power and showed it off in 2023 at the Area Code Games. He showed plus raw power in batting practice and also homered once to the pull-side in game—turning around an elevated 90-mph fastball that left his bat at 98 mph and traveled an estimated 376 feet. After seeing him hit the ball, it’s not shocking to learn that he became the Nebraska Class B high school career home run record holder after just his junior season of high school. Fountain doesn’t always get on plane and there’s enough swing-and-miss to wonder what sort of pure hitter he’ll be, but he generally makes solid swing decisions and walked as often as he struck out in 20 games logged by Synergy during the 2023 showcase circuit. He is a stiff mover who will need to improve his actions to stick at third base, though he does have above-average arm strength that would play nicely at the position. As a below-average runner he’ll be limited to a corner in some capacity if he has to move off of third base. Fountain is committed to LSU. He joins fellow Nebraskan Tyson Lewis as a potential top-five round selection in a strong year for the state.

Most Interesting Day 3 Pick: C Chase Fralick, 20th round

Fralick is a physical 6-foot-3, 210-pound catcher and lefthanded hitter who has some tools to dream on between his plus arm strength and plus raw power. He’s played some infield in the past but he’s a well below-average runner who would profile much better behind the plate if he can improve his actions and become mobile enough to stick there. His arm would be a clear asset at the position but he’ll need to work to get to a fringy or average defender. Fralick has a solid approach at the plate but might be more of a fringy, 45-grade hitter. He’s committed to Auburn.