Jared Wells

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #23 prospect in 2008
  After struggling with consistency early in his career, Wells made strides in 2005, leading the California League with a 3.44 ERA. After a rough introduction to Double-A at the end of that season, he rebounded to pitch well there in 2006. But after getting shelled in Triple-A at the end of 2006, he couldn't repeat the pattern--at least not until he was converted to relief. After going 3-15, 7.26 in 25 Triple-A starts, he moved to the bullpen for good in June and posted a 2.93 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 43 innings. Wells generates 90-93 mph fastballs and touches 95 from a sturdy pitcher's frame. When he's going well, he features good sink on his two-seamer and nice depth on a hard slider that grades as average. As a reliever he got by without his changeup, which is below-average. Though he had inconsistent control and still worked up in the zone too much, he was more comfortable in one- or two-inning stints. Wells is on the 40-man roster, so he's a candidate for a callup if a major league job opens up.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #9 prospect in 2007
  After struggling with consistency early in his career, Wells led the California League with a 3.44 ERA and was the top starter on the U.S. World Cup team in 2005. In each of the last two seasons, he has pitched well early but had problems adjusting after a midseason promotion. Wells generates 90-92 mph fastballs and touches 94 from a sturdy pitcher's frame. When he's going well, he features good sink on his two-seam fastball and nice depth on a hard slider that grades as average. He's starting to recognize the value of throwing a changeup. Wells struggled to locate his fastball, leaving it up in the zone too often. His slider will flatten out and isn't a true strikeout pitch, and his changeup is still below average. His stubbornness was a barrier to him learning the pitch sequences he needs to succeed in Triple-A. Though athletic, Wells tends to rush his delivery. He has the stuff to pitch at the back of a big league rotation, but without a consistent changeup, he profiles better as a reliever. The Padres believe his Triple-A struggles will benefit him in the long run, and they sent him to the Arizona Fall League to work on commanding his fastball. He'll be back in Portland to start 2007.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #7 prospect in 2006
  Wells had struggled to find consistency in the minors but took a step forward by leading the California League in ERA in 2005. He turned in quality starts in his first four Double-A outings and later was Team USA's top starter in the World Cup in September. Wells has an ideal power pitcher's frame, good arm action and solid stuff. His four-seam fastball runs from 91-93 mph, and his new two-seamer features plenty of sink. He mixes in a hard-breaking slider and commands all of his pitches well. A former high school quarterback, he's a good athlete and a tough competitor. While Wells has the stamina to be an innings-eater, his ability to remain a starter hinges on the development of his changeup, which is currently below-average. He doesn't own a true out pitch, as he has little trust in his slider. He tries to get batters to chase it as opposed to throwing it for strikes. Wells projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter and could end up in the bullpen. Still unrefined, he has his best days ahead of him. He'll return to Double-A in 2006.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #15 prospect in 2005
  A high-profile draft-and-follow, Wells' production continued to fall short of his stuff in his full-season debut. Wells has a prototypical pitcher's body and can light up radar guns with a mid-90s fastball, while also delivering a sharp-breaking slider. His changeup is still in the developmental stage, but should become a usable pitch. Wells is raw and illustrates the difference between control and command. While his walk rates are low, he often leaves his pitches too hittable and needs to work the count and get batters to chase his breaking ball. A star high school quarterback, Wells brings a gridiron mentality to the mound, and at times his attitude borders on arrogance. His work ethic and conditioning have come into question as well. One of the few pitchers in the Padres system who features a power arsenal, Wells will return to high Class A in 2005, and some say he's a few refinements from taking off.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #13 prospect in 2004
  The Padres invested more heavily in draft-and-follows than any team did before the 2003 draft, signing eight 2002 picks. Wells was the best of a group that also included four junior college players (catcher George Kottaras, lefthander Danny de la O and outfielders Drew Macias and Chad Etheridge) and two fifth-year seniors (first baseman Michael Johnson and outfielder Brian Wahlbrink). San Diego drafted Wells in the 31st round out of Tyler (Texas) Junior College in 2002 and he spent his sophomore season at San Jacinto, which finished second at the Junior College World Series. Wells has a projectable body and a quick arm that allowed him to reach 97 mph during the spring. He was worn out by the time he turned pro and his fastball sat at 87-92 mph during the summer, but his velocity should rebound after an offseason of rest. His control should be better as well, though he sometimes catches too much of the plate. Wells' slider and changeup both should become average pitches with more consistency. Headed for low Class A in 2004, he could blossom into a No. 2 or 3 starter.