Box Score Courtesy: Friar Forecast
Contributors: Myron Logan, Daniel Gettinger and Ben Davey
Normally, and more than likely, my top 30 will be posted on Mad Friars, where it has been for the past few years. However, since I made this in October (then updated after the A-Gon trade) and it is now mid-March, I figured I might as well post it here. Anyway … without further ado, the Friar Forecast top 30 prospects for 2011.
Coming into the 2010 season, Padre fans had a reason to rejoice. Many of the prospects were coming off great seasons, and it looked like a bright future for the Padres. Sadly it ended up being a season riddled with injuries as five of the top 10 spent significant time on the DL. Combine that with the inability to sign 1st round draft pick Karsten Whitson and it was a rough year on the farm. Despite that there is a lot to look forward to, especially after trading Adrian for three top prospects. The past few years have seen the Padres shy away from the "safe" picks and go to the more risky high school and JUCO picks. Sprinkle in a few well scouted Dominican kids and the rankings are increasingly deep. Will they pan out? No one will know for a few years, but the farm is ripe with that word that both excites and frustrates us to no end … potential.
30) Matt Branham: RHP (Eugene, 6-3, 2.97 ERA, 60.2 IP, 15 BB, 56 K). Being in a rotation that featured three top 12 prospects, the consensus Ems pitcher of the year was Matt Branham. Branham was Mr. Consistency in the Ems rotation as he allowed two runs or less in all but two of his starts. Branham might not have the upside of the others but has good command of all his pitchers and is able to stay low in the strike zone.
To view full prospect list, please click here.
