San Diego Padres 2024 MLB Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: Baseball America didn’t know much about shortstop Cobb Hightower (3) at the time of the draft, and he was a late pop-up player in the state who scouts liked for his athleticism and righthanded bat speed. The Padres are high on his pure hitting ability and have a recent history of hitting on late pop-up types like 2024 standout rookie Jackson Merrill.

Best Power Hitter: Third baseman Kale Fountain (5) is a huge 6-foot-5, 230-pound righthanded hitter with tremendous raw power who should be able to leave the park to all fields. He has 30+ home run upside if he’s able to make enough contact in pro ball.

Fastest Runner: Outfielder Kai Roberts (7) is a 70-grade runner who stole 66 bags in his four-year career with Utah at an 84.6% success rate. That speed should translate to solid defensive chops in center field, as well. 

Best Defensive Player: Shortstop Brandon Butterworth (12) was one of only four NC State players to play all 61 games in 2024, and he started every game at shortstop. He’s got soft, reliable hands in the field and does a nice job putting himself in good positions to throw to first base to help his arm play up. Butterworth has also shown impressive arm slot versatility, which will help him make plays from all sorts of angles.

Best Fastball: Lefthander Kash Mayfield (1) went from being a pitchability lefthander to a power-armed southpaw during the draft cycle this spring and has been up to 97 mph. It’s at least an above-average fastball and could be better than that thanks to his advanced feel to locate. Righthander Tyson Neighbors (4) has been up to 99 and averaged 95 mph in 2024 with great riding life.

Best Secondary Pitch: Lefthander Boston Bateman (2) has a high-spin curveball in the upper 70s that features tons of depth and snapping two-plane break with spin rates that get up to the 2,900 rpm range. It should be an above-average or better offering. Neighbors (4) has a mid-80s slider that could be a plus pitch out of the bullpen.

Best Pro Debut: Hightower (3) didn’t get into an official game after signing, but it sounds like the Padres have been excited from what they’ve seen of him so far. Third baseman Jack Costello (10) played 25 games with Low-A Lake Elsinore, slashed .284/.388/.529, homered six times and walked more than he struck out while shopwing tremendous top-end exit velocities and strong contact skills. 

Best Athlete: Roberts (7) is a former infielder who has transitioned to the outfield and is also the son of Ryan Roberts, who was a 42nd round pick in the 1996 draft by the Cardinals. 

Most Intriguing Background: Outfielder Kavares Tears (4c) has plenty of athleticism in the family and is related to both former Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower and Cubs and Twins infielder Jason Maxwell, who played in three major league seasons in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Closest To The Majors: Each of San Diego’s first three picks were high school players who could use a longer runway in player development, but Neighbors (4) was one of the most dominant relievers available in the class and could move quickly in that role with a pair of plus offerings to work with. 

Best Day Three Pick (Or NDFA): The Padres drafted Sean Barnett (11) as a two-way player out of Wingate, though most of his playing time has come as a hitter and outfielder. He didn’t pitch in his pro debut but slashed .280/.333/.420 in 12 games with Low-A Lake Elsinore and has a fastball that’s been in the mid 90s.