Kevin Padlo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #24 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Padlo starred in both baseball and basketball in high school and was drafted by the Rockies in the fifth round in 2014. Colorado traded him to the Rays two years later in the deal that sent German Marquez to the Rockies. Padlo made his major league debut with the Rays in 2021 before being claimed off waivers by the Mariners in August, and he summarily hit eight homers in 26 games at Triple-A Tacoma.
  
  Scouting Report: Padlo is a good athlete with plus-plus raw power. He hits towering fly balls to his pull side and has improved at picking out pitches to drive. He posted back-to-back 20-home run seasons in the minors and has the power to do the same in the majors, but that will depend on him getting enough at-bats. Padlo has a pull-heavy approach that leaves a lot of holes in his swing. He’s a below-average hitter who relies on making impact on contact. Padlo is an average defender at third base who moves well for his size and has above-average arm strength. He is also experienced playing first base and second base.
  
  The Future: Padlo’s power and infield versatility give him a chance to stick in a reserve or platoon role. He’ll return to the majors in 2022.
  
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #20 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Half of the 28 high school position players drafted ahead of Padlo in 2014 have either been released or have reached minor league free agency. In other words, Padlo has been a slow mover. Drafted by the Rockies, Padlo was dealt to the Rays in 2016, along with Corey Dickerson, in the deal that surrendered German Marquez to Colorado. Padlo came close to making his big league debut in 2020, when he was part of the Rays' taxi squad.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Until 2019, the oft-injured Padlo was a slugger who didn't slug. More consistent at-bats and a better understanding of when to let loose in advantageous counts helped him start to tap into his plus-plus raw power. He's still likely a .220-.240 hitter if he plays every day in the majors thanks to a pull-heavy approach, but the Rays' clever platooning would likely keep him from facing many of the pitchers who would hamstring him. Padlo has made himself into an average defender at third base with an above-average arm, and he can also play first base. He's athletic with a decent first step, but he's a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Padlo's power is real. As a righthanded slugger, he could fill a need as a platoon option, but his next stop is a return to Triple-A. He has two minor league options remaining.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #17 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Rays acquired Padlo from the Rockies in Jan. 2016 along with Corey Dickerson in a trade that sent German Marquez and Jake McGee to Colorado. After being unprotected and unpicked in the 2018 Rule 5 draft, Padlo hit his way to Triple-A Durham and earned a spot on the 40-man roster.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Padlo was an excellent basketball player in high school and retains some of that athleticism. He's average defensively at third base and first base but his above-average arm and fringe-average speed may allow him to pick up corner outfield spots as well in 2020. Padlo has always had plus-plus raw power. He draws walks and hits home runs. His big step forward in 2019 revolved around making more consistent contact. He's still quite pitchable thanks to a pull-heavy approach that leaves him in trouble covering the outer third of the plate, but he has improved his recognition of breaking balls and he'll take his walks if pitchers try to get him to chase. With his plus productive power, he can be a productive player as a .230-.240 hitter, but he'll have to keep improving to get there.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Rays lack righthanded power, so Padlo could find a role at some point in 2020 as a slugger who can man both infield corners. His power gives him second-division regular potential.
• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #19 prospect in 2017
  Padlo was an all-league basketball and baseball player in high school who passed up a San Diego commitment to sign with the Rockies as a fifth-round pick in 2014. The Rays acquired him and Corey Dickerson for Jake McGee and German Marquez following the 2015 season. Padlo batted just .229 in low Class A in his first year with the Rays but reached base at a .364 clip and showed promising corner infield tools. He has plus raw power, which comes from a deep load and long, explosive swing, with plus bat speed and good leverage. He has a tendency to get rotational and pull off the ball early, leading to questions about his natural timing. Padlo works counts and draws some criticism from scouts for being too passive and not always recognizing mistakes he could potentially drive. Defensively, Padlo has above-average to plus arm strength at third and projects to be a useful defender there with his underrated athleticism. He is also an average runner. Padlo has to improve his pure hitting ability, but he has a variety of tools at his disposal and profiles well if he can make the necessary adjustments.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #18 prospect in 2016
  A San Diego commit, Padlo signed for an above-slot $650,000 bonus in 2014 and immediately flashed raw power at Rookie-level Grand Junction by swatting eight home runs and 15 doubles in 160 at-bats. The Rockies then challenged the 18-year-old by starting him at low Class A Asheville in 2015, but the success didn't carry over, as Padlo tallied more strikeouts (26) than hits (12). However, he rebounded in a big way after a demotion to short-season Boise. He made the Northwest League's year-end all-star team and led the league in doubles (22) and slugging (.502) while ranking second with 33 steals and 45 walks. Padlo has solid-average power, quick hands and a confident mindset at the plate, which he regained at Boise. Pull-happy at times, he is beginning to use more of the field and has above-average plate discipline for his age, though he can be neutralized by quality breaking pitches. Padlo has a thick body but quick feet at third base and a strong-enough arm for the hot corner. He has average speed but is an intelligent baserunner. He has earned a second chance at full-season ball in 2016.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #14 prospect in 2015
  Padlo signed for an above-slot $650,000 bonus as the Rockies swayed him from a University of San Diego commitment. He is strong, with impressive power for a high school player. His strike-zone awareness is not bad for a young hitter, and he had nearly as many walks (31) as strikeouts (38) in his debut and thrived in pressure situations. He has no problem turning on a fastball, though he sometimes gets in trouble chasing fastballs up. Padlo can get pull-happy but drove the ball to the opposite field toward the end of the season. He has a solid, accurate arm with hands that are good enough for third base. He gets a little flat-footed at times and will emphasize skill work over strength work to gain agility and improve his footwork and first-step quickness. Padlo has a thick body for an 18-year-old and will have to watch his weight so his lower half get doesn't get too thick. He likely will play at low Class A Asheville in 2015.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #153 prospect in 2014 draft
  Padlo made a name for himself with a strong showing at the Area Code Games last summer, and he averaged 17 points a game for the Murrieta Valley High basketball team over the winter before transitioning to baseball. He had a quiet spring, hitting just .329 with two homers, but scouts have seen him flash above-average raw power. In order to harness it, he'll need to make adjustments to his approach, as he has a high leg lift and tends to swing out of his shoes. Padlo's game has plenty of effort in all facets. He isn't a smooth player, but he makes up for it with strength and energy. He handles shortstop ably for his high school team and shows enough arm strength for the left side, causing scouts to project him as a quality defender at third base. He also has a shot to hit for enough power for the hot corner, making him a candidate to be drafted in the top three to five rounds. He is committed to San Diego.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Northwest League #10 prospect in 2015
  Padlo rebounded from a rough introduction to full-season ball--he hit .145 in 27 games at low Class A Asheville this April--to show a solid tool set and lead the NWL with 22 doubles, 33 extra-base hits and a .502 slugging percentage. Padlo has solid-average raw power and makes consistent, hard contact. He has a fearless, aggressive mindset that helps his average tools play up, particularly at the plate. He has no problem spitting on offspeed stuff down. He had a pull approach when he entered pro ball but now shows an ability to use the whole field. Padlo's arm is a tick above-average, but it's enough to play third base, and he has good enough footwork to handle the hot corner. An average but intelligent baserunner, he finished second in the NWL with 33 steals. "He has quick feet at third,v one NWL manager said. "He's a much better third baseman than you'd think."
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #11 prospect in 2014
  It took an over-slot bonus of $650,000 for the Rockies to pull Padlo away from his commitment to San Diego. A prep shortstop, he played exclusively at third base for Grand Junction. Padlo plays with energy and has enough arm and agility for third, where he made nine errors, though he has room for improvement. At the plate, he has a quick bat and above-average raw power. He has good plate discipline for his experience level and showed the ability to make adjustments during at-bats. He has a pull approach and is learning to use the whole field, while also improving his recognition and adjustments against breaking balls. "A guy might surprise him with a fastball that he throws by him, but he's the kind of guy who can make an adjustment," Grand Junction hitting coach Lee Stevens said. "If the guy throws it again, he'll be on it."

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Padlo starred in both baseball and basketball in high school and was drafted by the Rockies in the fifth round in 2014. Colorado traded him to the Rays two years later in the deal that sent German Marquez to the Rockies. Padlo made his major league debut with the Rays in 2021 before being claimed off waivers by the Mariners in August, and he summarily hit eight homers in 26 games at Triple-A Tacoma.
  
  Scouting Report: Padlo is a good athlete with plus-plus raw power. He hits towering fly balls to his pull side and has improved at picking out pitches to drive. He posted back-to-back 20-home run seasons in the minors and has the power to do the same in the majors, but that will depend on him getting enough at-bats. Padlo has a pull-heavy approach that leaves a lot of holes in his swing. He’s a below-average hitter who relies on making impact on contact. Padlo is an average defender at third base who moves well for his size and has above-average arm strength. He is also experienced playing first base and second base.
  
  The Future: Padlo’s power and infield versatility give him a chance to stick in a reserve or platoon role. He’ll return to the majors in 2022.
  
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Half of the 28 high school position players drafted ahead of Padlo in 2014 have either been released or have reached minor league free agency. In other words, Padlo has been a slow mover. Drafted by the Rockies, Padlo was dealt to the Rays in 2016, along with Corey Dickerson, in the deal that surrendered German Marquez to Colorado. Padlo came close to making his big league debut in 2020, when he was part of the Rays' taxi squad.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Until 2019, the oft-injured Padlo was a slugger who didn't slug. More consistent at-bats and a better understanding of when to let loose in advantageous counts helped him start to tap into his plus-plus raw power. He's still likely a .220-.240 hitter if he plays every day in the majors thanks to a pull-heavy approach, but the Rays' clever platooning would likely keep him from facing many of the pitchers who would hamstring him. Padlo has made himself into an average defender at third base with an above-average arm, and he can also play first base. He's athletic with a decent first step, but he's a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Padlo's power is real. As a righthanded slugger, he could fill a need as a platoon option, but his next stop is a return to Triple-A. He has two minor league options remaining.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Half of the 28 high school position players drafted ahead of Padlo in 2014 have either been released or have reached minor league free agency. In other words, Padlo has been a slow mover. Drafted by the Rockies, Padlo was dealt to the Rays in 2016, along with Corey Dickerson, in the deal that surrendered German Marquez to Colorado. Padlo came close to making his big league debut in 2020, when he was part of the Rays' taxi squad.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Until 2019, the oft-injured Padlo was a slugger who didn't slug. More consistent at-bats and a better understanding of when to let loose in advantageous counts helped him start to tap into his plus-plus raw power. He's still likely a .220-.240 hitter if he plays every day in the majors thanks to a pull-heavy approach, but the Rays' clever platooning would likely keep him from facing many of the pitchers who would hamstring him. Padlo has made himself into an average defender at third base with an above-average arm, and he can also play first base. He's athletic with a decent first step, but he's a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Padlo's power is real. As a righthanded slugger, he could fill a need as a platoon option, but his next stop is a return to Triple-A. He has two minor league options remaining.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Rays acquired Padlo from the Rockies in Jan. 2016 along with Corey Dickerson in a trade that sent German Marquez and Jake McGee to Colorado. After being unprotected and unpicked in the 2018 Rule 5 draft, Padlo hit his way to Triple-A Durham and earned a spot on the 40-man roster.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Padlo was an excellent basketball player in high school and retains some of that athleticism. He’s average defensively at third base and first base but his above-average arm and fringe-average speed may allow him to pick up corner outfield spots as well in 2020. Padlo has always had plus-plus raw power. He draws walks and hits home runs. His big step forward in 2019 revolved around making more consistent contact. He’s still quite pitchable thanks to a pull-heavy approach that leaves him in trouble covering the outer third of the plate, but he has improved his recognition of breaking balls and he’ll take his walks if pitchers try to get him to chase. With his plus productive power, he can be a productive player as a .230-.240 hitter, but he’ll have to keep improving to get there.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Rays lack righthanded power, so Padlo could find a role at some point in 2020 as a slugger who can man both infield corners. His power gives him second-division regular potential. BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 45 Risk: Medium
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Rays acquired Padlo from the Rockies in Jan. 2016 along with Corey Dickerson in a trade that sent German Marquez and Jake McGee to Colorado. After being unprotected and unpicked in the 2018 Rule 5 draft, Padlo hit his way to Triple-A Durham and earned a spot on the 40-man roster.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Padlo was an excellent basketball player in high school and retains some of that athleticism. He's average defensively at third base and first base but his above-average arm and fringe-average speed may allow him to pick up corner outfield spots as well in 2020. Padlo has always had plus-plus raw power. He draws walks and hits home runs. His big step forward in 2019 revolved around making more consistent contact. He's still quite pitchable thanks to a pull-heavy approach that leaves him in trouble covering the outer third of the plate, but he has improved his recognition of breaking balls and he'll take his walks if pitchers try to get him to chase. With his plus productive power, he can be a productive player as a .230-.240 hitter, but he'll have to keep improving to get there.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Rays lack righthanded power, so Padlo could find a role at some point in 2020 as a slugger who can man both infield corners. His power gives him second-division regular potential.