Jose De Paula

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #26 prospect in 2014
  The Giants claimed DePaula on waivers in November when the Padres designated him for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster. He spent all of 2012 on the restricted list when a background investigation during spring training revealed that he was one year older than San Diego had previously believed. He resolved the issues in time to play in 2013, cruising through 14 starts at Double-A San Antonio prior to coming down with shoulder tendinitis that sidelined him from mid-June through the end of the year. DePaula works at 90-91 mph with an easy arm action and plenty of late tailing, sinking action, topping out near 95. Control never has been an issue, and scouts regard his secondary pitches as average to a tick above. He throws a mid-70s curveball with plus rotation and big vertical break. He has gained feel for his changeup in recent years, and the mid-80s pitch shows enough fade to be effective. DePaula may not out-stuff his competition for the rotation, but he has good feel and a low boiling point, which could work in any number of roles. In terms of upside, he could be a back-end starter. If healthy he probably will head to Triple-A Fresno in 2014.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #31 prospect in 2013
  Added to the 40-man roster following the 2011 season, DePaula reported to big league training camp only to be pulled away after three appearances. He was summoned to the Dominican Republic to reconcile two different birthdates on record. The Padres expected the matter to be cleared up quickly, but DePaula could not immediately obtain a work visa to return to the U.S. when the investigation determined he was one year older than previously believed. (His identity checked out, however.) He missed the entire minor league season, though he got regular work for Cibao in the Dominican League, where after 39 innings he led the circuit with 39 strikeouts. Save for 2012 first-rounder Max Fried, no lefthander in the Padres system has better raw stuff than DePaula, who sits at 89-91 mph and does it easy, mixing in two secondary pitches that could reach above-average status. His curveball arrives with power and tight break at its best, topping out near 80 mph and projecting as plus down the road. His changeup is a fringe pitch now, but his athleticism and smooth motion make improvement possible. Assuming he secures a visa, DePaula will slot into the Double-A rotation in 2013.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #25 prospect in 2012
  Midwest League scouts regarded DePaula as Fort Wayne's top pitching prospect in 2010, but he struggled through the early going in 2011 after a promotion to high Class A. Through his first eight starts for Lake Elsinore, DePaula allowed 49 hits and 32 runs in 31 innings while pitching through shoulder soreness that ultimately landed him on the disabled list for two weeks. He pitched much more effectively for the final three months, going 7-2, 4.28 in 15 starts, so the Padres added him to the 40-man roster to shield him from the Rule 5 draft. It helped that he won both his California League playoff starts, tossing 13 shutout innings. When right, DePaula sits at 88-90 mph and tops out at 94 with his fastball, which plays up because his motion is smooth and effortless. His low-80s curveball features tight break at its best, though his changeup has further to go. DePaula's fastball/curve mix makes him a natural fit as a lefty situational reliever if his changeup doesn't develop. He held Cal League lefties to a .225/.275/.333 batting line last season and stands poised to tackle Double-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #19 prospect in 2011
  The Padres have brought DePaula along slowly, but if 2010 was any indication, the lefty won't be anonymous for much longer. He missed all but two games in 2009 as he dealt with a stress fracture in his left elbow, but he hit the ground running when he joined Fort Wayne late last May. Scouts called him the best pitcher on the staff. Long and lean, DePaula throws downhill at 88-91 mph and tops out near 93 with riding life. His low-80s breaking ball features tight rotation and plus lateral break at times. Midwest League lefties hit just .196 (18-for- 92) against him, with two extra-base hits and 26 strikeouts. He mixes in a promising 80-mph changeup that shows average potential. For a young pitcher with strikeout stuff, DePaula throws plenty of strikes and stands to improve on his command as he continues to learn and refine his delivery. His fastball/breaking ball combo could make him deadly as a reliever, but with the chance for three average or better pitches he could fit at the back of a big league rotation. San Diego kept DePaula on a strict pitch limit last season, but he may have a longer leash when he moves to high Class A in 2011.