Ismael Mena

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #16 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Mena was one of the most athletic players in the 2019 international class and signed with the Padres for $2.2 million, the largest bonus the club awarded that year. His professional debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he put on good weight and stood out in instructional league. The Cubs acquired him as one of five players for Yu Darvish after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mena is a lean, sleek center fielder with plus-plus speed in the outfield and on the bases. He's a slashing hitter who sprays the ball around with a whippy swing from the left side, although he's added strength and leverage and has started to drive the ball in the air. Mena's swing can be too steep at times and he's prone to striking out, but that may improve with experience and maturity. Mena's routes and instincts in center field are a work in progress. He has the speed for the position but needs experience to refine his play. He has a plus arm that could become a plus-plus weapon as he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mena shows hints of a potential top-of-the-order center fielder, but he's extremely raw and will need time. His professional debut awaits in 2021.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #27 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Mena established himself early as one of the best athletes and fastest runners in the 2019 international class. He signed with the Padres for $2.2 million on July 2, the largest signing bonus the club awarded in the period.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A wiry 6-foot-3 center fielder, Mena defends his position well with plus-plus speed and excellent range. He picks balls up off the bat, gets excellent jumps and takes advanced, efficient routes for a 16-year-old. His above-average arm rounds out his potential to a plus or better defensive center fielder. At the plate, Mena stays behind the ball from the left side and consistently puts it in play to take advantage of his speed. His power is mostly to the gaps now, but he has the projectable frame and leverage in his swing to dream on 15-20 home run power as he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mena has a lot of room to grow into his body. His athleticism, defense and contact skills are a promising starter's kit for a potential everyday center fielder.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Mena was one of the most athletic players in the 2019 international class and signed with the Padres for $2.2 million, the largest bonus the club awarded that year. His professional debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he put on good weight and stood out in instructional league. The Cubs acquired him as one of five players for Yu Darvish after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mena is a lean, sleek center fielder with plus-plus speed in the outfield and on the bases. He's a slashing hitter who sprays the ball around with a whippy swing from the left side, although he's added strength and leverage and has started to drive the ball in the air. Mena's swing can be too steep at times and he's prone to striking out, but that may improve with experience and maturity. Mena's routes and instincts in center field are a work in progress. He has the speed for the position but needs experience to refine his play. He has a plus arm that could become a plus-plus weapon as he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mena shows hints of a potential top-of-the-order center fielder, but he's extremely raw and will need time. His professional debut awaits in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Mena was one of the most athletic players in the 2019 international class and signed with the Padres for $2.2 million, the largest bonus the club awarded that year. His professional debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but he put on good weight and stood out in instructional league. The Cubs acquired him as one of five players for Yu Darvish after the season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Mena is a lean, sleek center fielder with plus-plus speed in the outfield and on the bases. He's a slashing hitter who sprays the ball around with a whippy swing from the left side, although he's added strength and leverage and has started to drive the ball in the air. Mena's swing can be too steep at times and he's prone to striking out, but that may improve with experience and maturity. Mena's routes and instincts in center field are a work in progress. He has the speed for the position but needs experience to refine his play. He has a plus arm that could become a plus-plus weapon as he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mena shows hints of a potential top-of-the-order center fielder, but he's extremely raw and will need time. His professional debut awaits in 2021.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Mena established himself early as one of the best athletes and fastest runners in the 2019 international class. He signed with the Padres for $2.2 million on July 2, the largest signing bonus the club awarded in the period.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A wiry 6-foot-3 center fielder, Mena defends his position well with plus-plus speed and excellent range. He picks balls up off the bat, gets excellent jumps and takes advanced, efficient routes for a 16-year-old. His above-average arm rounds out his potential to a plus or better defensive center fielder. At the plate, Mena stays behind the ball from the left side and consistently puts it in play to take advantage of his speed. His power is mostly to the gaps now, but he has the projectable frame and leverage in his swing to dream on 15-20 home run power as he gets stronger.
  
  THE FUTURE: Mena has a lot of room to grow into his body. His athleticism, defense and contact skills are a promising starter's kit for a potential everyday center fielder.