Chris Paddack

Position: RHSP
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: San Antonio Missions
League: Texas League
Born: 01/08/1996 (Age: 28)
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 195
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Acquired in trade for RHP Fernando Rodney 6/30/16 (SDP). Originally drafted in the 8th Rd. of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft (MIA)

Prospect Spotlight

Originally an 8th-round pick by the Marlins in 2015 from a Texas high school, Paddack has made his $400K bonus look like a bargain. He created buzz across the industry during a sparking first full season in 2016, winding up in a trade to San Diego later that year. He missed all of 2017 with injury but came back strong in 2018, establishing himself as one of the game’s better pitching prospects this season. Paddack reached Double-A and pitched to a 2.10 ERA across two levels, posting a ridiculous 120:8 K/BB ratio in 90 total innings pitched.

Paddack looks the part of a big league starter, and his 6’4’’ and 195-pound frame can hold up taking the ball every fifth day. He repeats a controlled semi-windup delivery well, finishing relatively free and easy. The fastball sits in the low-90s with solid armside run, and as his control numbers suggest, Paddack pounds the zone with the pitch. A low-80s changeup is his best secondary, cutting down both righties and lefties with excellent armspeed and late fade. His mid-70s curveball can get loopy, and while it won’t be better than average, Paddack made strides with developing his breaking ball this year.

Paddack was 19-years-old when he signed out of high school, meaning he will be Rule 5 eligible after this season despite being a prep draftee in 2015. That’s a year earlier than many of his peers, but given his performance this year, it’s a no-brainer for the Padres to add him to their 40-Man Roster. His frame, three-pitch mix, and excellent walk prevention give the ceiling of a mid-rotation (#3/#4 type) starter.