Samuel Zavala Stats & Scouting Report

AB	375
AVG	.187
OBP	.34
SLG	.301
HR	8

Full name Samuel Elias Zavala
Born 07/15/2004 in Caracas, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: L / Throws: L

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 55/Very High

Track Record: Regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the 2020-21 international class, Zavala signed for $1.2 million and has been pushed aggressively each year in the system. With injuries dogging Zavala early in his career, the Padres challenged him to stay on the field in 2023 and he did just that as a Low-A California League all-star. He finished one home run shy of joining a rare list of teenagers to log 20 doubles, 15 homers and 20 steals in a season. Zavala spiraled after a late promotion to High-A Fort Wayne, though he was playing through an oblique injury at the end of the season.

Scouting Report: Zavala has been young for the level at every stop, so it’s taken time for strength to catch up to natural gifts that include a smooth, whip-like swing. He has a knack for putting the barrel on the ball, though the Padres would like Zavala to continue to add muscle in the hope that he regularly unlocks average power. He does not chase much, but there’s a bit of swing-and-miss in the zone, the result of a leg kick that can get big. An above-average runner, Zavala makes up for a lack of closing speed in center field with good reads, a good first step and fluid movement. Above-average arm strength would likely push him to left field if he outgrows center. Bilingual and a heady player, Zavala has also taken well to coaching and the examples of older teammates when it came to finding a routine that allowed him to get his legs under him after a slow start in Lake Elsinore.

The Future: Still the best true outfield prospect in the system, Zavala should begin his age-19 season back at Fort Wayne, where he’ll be one of the younger players in the Midwest League. He could develop into a starting-caliber corner outfielder with across-the-board skills.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Very High

Track Record: Zavala was regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the 2021 international signing class and signed with the Padres for $1.2 million out of Venezuela. He made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League that year and did not disappoint, hitting for both average (.287) and power (25 extra-base hits) while showing remarkable plate discipline for his age. The Padres had designs on starting Zavala at Low-A Lake Elsinore to start 2022 but held him back in extended spring training to work on his speed. A hamstring strain slowed Zavala to start the summer, but he moved to Lake Elsinore after the trade deadline and homered seven times in 33 games before a broken hamate bone ended his season.

Scouting Report: Zavala possesses a knack for finding the barrel with a smooth, whip-like swing from the left side. He doesn't have the brute strength of other teenagers, but he has added more power and loft to his swing as he's matured physically and could wind up with average power. His swing, patience and plate discipline give him a chance to be at least an above-average hitter as he adds strength. An above-average runner, Zavala also shows good reads, a quick first step and fluid movements. He'll have to prove he can continue to handle center field as he climbs the system and gets bigger. If not, arm strength that could get to above-average would help him in either corner. Zavala is bilingual and a heady player, leading the Padres to push him as they do with many of the younger prospects they believe in.

The Future: With Robert Hassell III and James Wood traded away in the Juan Soto blockbuster, Zavala is the best true outfield prospect remaining in the Padres' system. He participated in instructional league last fall following his hamate surgery and should be ready for Opening Day in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
Track Record: Zavala was regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the 2020-21 international signing class and signed with the Padres out of Venezuela for $1.2 million. Zavala made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League after signing and did not disappoint, hitting for both average (.287) and power (25 extra-base hits in 55 games) while showing remarkable plate discipline for his age with nearly as many walks (32) as strikeouts (36).

Scouting Report: Zavala has long possessed a knack for finding the barrel with a smooth, whip-like swing. He doesn’t have the brute strength of some other teenagers, but he has added more power and loft to his swing as he’s matured physically and could wind up with average power to go with his above-average hitting ability tools. Zavala is bilingual and a heady player, leading the Padres to believe he will adjust quickly as he faces more advanced pitching. Zavala is only an average runner, but his advanced instincts help compensate for his speed and the Padres view him as a true center fielder. His above-average arm strength allows him to play all three outfield positions.

The Future: Zavala will make his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2022. He and Victor Acosta give the Padres two, low-level prospects who could blossom into everyday regulars, if not more.
TRACK RECORD: Zavala was one of the better pure hitters in the international class. He's still 16 until July 15, making him one of the younger players in the class, but his baseball IQ is advanced for his age, especially at the plate.

SCOUTING REPORT: Zavala has a loose, rhythmic stroke from the left side with good sequence. Zavala has a knack for barreling the ball against live pitching, driving the ball well the opposite way already. As he's gotten stronger, he's added more power with the loft in his swing to tap into in games. If everything clicks for Zavala, he could end up with above-average hit and power tools, which would fit well in either corner spot. The Padres have challenged Zavala to work at his speed, though, and he's an average runner now, so he should get reps in center field as well as the corners. He moves around well in the outfield and has good instincts with a 55 arm that could become plus as he gets stronger.

THE FUTURE: While he probably goes to a corner long term, the attributes are in place for him to develop into an above-average defender there. Zavala will make his pro debut in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Very High

Track Record: Zavala was regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the 2021 international signing class and signed with the Padres for $1.2 million out of Venezuela. He made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League that year and did not disappoint, hitting for both average (.287) and power (25 extra-base hits) while showing remarkable plate discipline for his age. The Padres had designs on starting Zavala at Low-A Lake Elsinore to start 2022 but held him back in extended spring training to work on his speed. A hamstring strain slowed Zavala to start the summer, but he moved to Lake Elsinore after the trade deadline and homered seven times in 33 games before a broken hamate bone ended his season.

Scouting Report: Zavala possesses a knack for finding the barrel with a smooth, whip-like swing from the left side. He doesn't have the brute strength of other teenagers, but he has added more power and loft to his swing as he's matured physically and could wind up with average power. His swing, patience and plate discipline give him a chance to be at least an above-average hitter as he adds strength. An above-average runner, Zavala also shows good reads, a quick first step and fluid movements. He'll have to prove he can continue to handle center field as he climbs the system and gets bigger. If not, arm strength that could get to above-average would help him in either corner. Zavala is bilingual and a heady player, leading the Padres to push him as they do with many of the younger prospects they believe in.

The Future: With Robert Hassell III and James Wood traded away in the Juan Soto blockbuster, Zavala is the best true outfield prospect remaining in the Padres' system. He participated in instructional league last fall following his hamate surgery and should be ready for Opening Day in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Very High

Track Record: Zavala was regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the 2021 international signing class and signed with the Padres for $1.2 million out of Venezuela. He made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League that year and did not disappoint, hitting for both average (.287) and power (25 extra-base hits) while showing remarkable plate discipline for his age. The Padres had designs on starting Zavala at Low-A Lake Elsinore to start 2022 but held him back in extended spring training to work on his speed. A hamstring strain slowed Zavala to start the summer, but he moved to Lake Elsinore after the trade deadline and homered seven times in 33 games before a broken hamate bone ended his season.

Scouting Report: Zavala possesses a knack for finding the barrel with a smooth, whip-like swing from the left side. He doesn't have the brute strength of other teenagers, but he has added more power and loft to his swing as he's matured physically and could wind up with average power. His swing, patience and plate discipline give him a chance to be at least an above-average hitter as he adds strength. An above-average runner, Zavala also shows good reads, a quick first step and fluid movements. He'll have to prove he can continue to handle center field as he climbs the system and gets bigger. If not, arm strength that could get to above-average would help him in either corner. Zavala is bilingual and a heady player, leading the Padres to push him as they do with many of the younger prospects they believe in.

The Future: With Robert Hassell III and James Wood traded away in the Juan Soto blockbuster, Zavala is the best true outfield prospect remaining in the Padres' system. He participated in instructional league last fall following his hamate surgery and should be ready for Opening Day in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
Track Record: Zavala was regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the 2020-21 international signing class and signed with the Padres out of Venezuela for $1.2 million. Zavala made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League after signing and did not disappoint, hitting for both average (.287) and power (25 extra-base hits in 55 games) while showing remarkable plate discipline for his age with nearly as many walks (32) as strikeouts (36).

Scouting Report: Zavala has long possessed a knack for finding the barrel with a smooth, whip-like swing. He doesn’t have the brute strength of some other teenagers, but he has added more power and loft to his swing as he’s matured physically and could wind up with average power to go with his above-average hitting ability tools. Zavala is bilingual and a heady player, leading the Padres to believe he will adjust quickly as he faces more advanced pitching. Zavala is only an average runner, but his advanced instincts help compensate for his speed and the Padres view him as a true center fielder. His above-average arm strength allows him to play all three outfield positions.

The Future: Zavala will make his U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2022. He and Victor Acosta give the Padres two, low-level prospects who could blossom into everyday regulars, if not more.
TRACK RECORD: Zavala was one of the better pure hitters in the international class. He's still 16 until July 15, making him one of the younger players in the class, but his baseball IQ is advanced for his age, especially at the plate.

SCOUTING REPORT: Zavala has a loose, rhythmic stroke from the left side with good sequence. Zavala has a knack for barreling the ball against live pitching, driving the ball well the opposite way already. As he's gotten stronger, he's added more power with the loft in his swing to tap into in games. If everything clicks for Zavala, he could end up with above-average hit and power tools, which would fit well in either corner spot. The Padres have challenged Zavala to work at his speed, though, and he's an average runner now, so he should get reps in center field as well as the corners. He moves around well in the outfield and has good instincts with a 55 arm that could become plus as he gets stronger.

THE FUTURE: While he probably goes to a corner long term, the attributes are in place for him to develop into an above-average defender there. Zavala will make his pro debut in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League.
One of the top pure hitters from Venezuela in the 2020 class, Zavala has a rhythmic lefthanded swing with good path, using his hands well with an all-fields approach. He's on the younger side of the class, and as he's grown more physical, the ball has started to jump off his bat better with the projection for more. Zavala shows good defensive instincts and a solid-average arm in center field, though his speed likely fits best in a corner. Zavala trains with Henderson Martinez and is expected to sign with the Padres.
TRACK RECORD: Zavala was one of the better pure hitters in the international class. He's still 16 until July 15, making him one of the younger players in the class, but his baseball IQ is advanced for his age, especially at the plate.

SCOUTING REPORT: Zavala has a loose, rhythmic stroke from the left side with good sequence. Zavala has a knack for barreling the ball against live pitching, driving the ball well the opposite way already. As he's gotten stronger, he's added more power with the loft in his swing to tap into in games. If everything clicks for Zavala, he could end up with above-average hit and power tools, which would fit well in either corner spot. The Padres have challenged Zavala to work at his speed, though, and he's an average runner now, so he should get reps in center field as well as the corners. He moves around well in the outfield and has good instincts with a 55 arm that could become plus as he gets stronger.

THE FUTURE: While he probably goes to a corner long term, the attributes are in place for him to develop into an above-average defender there. Zavala will make his pro debut in 2021 in the Dominican Summer League.