For the second straight year the Padres grabbed a high school lefty in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft.
Last year it was MacKenzie Gore. This year they snagged Ryan Weathers from Loretto High School in Tennessee.
Weathers, a 6’1”, 200-pounder, features a fastball that can reach the mid-90’s and has good feel for the curveball and changeup. Weathers put up video game numbers as a senior. In 76.0 innings he struck out 148 and allowed all of one earned run for an ERA of 0.09.
He’s also an accomplished hitter and the Padres will have to put up enough money to sign him away from a Vanderbilt commitment. The suggested bonus for the 7th overall pick is $5.2 million but the team can use more or less than that.
If bloodlines mean anything this kid has them. Ryan is the son of David Weathers, who spent 19 years in the big leagues as a pitcher, and Kelli Davis Weathers, an All-American basketball player at Belmont University.
With their other 1st round selection (38th overall) the Padres took shortstop Xavier Edwards from North Broward Prep in Florida. A switch-hitter with plus speed, Edwards makes consistent contact and gets on base a ton. He hit .406 and scored 43 runs as a senior.
Scouts believe he has the athleticism and arm strength to stay at shortstop and be a prototypical leadoff hitter. Like Weathers, Edwards is committed to Vanderbilt and both of his parents are educators so going to school is a serious option.
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With the 74th overall pick (which they got from the Twins in the trade for Phil Hughes) the Padres took Texas Tech outfielder Grant Little. As a draft-eligible sophomore Little hit .380 with an 1.150 OPS and 12 home runs for the Red Raiders, who are still alive in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Little can play both corner outfield spots but might find a future at 2nd base, as well.
The Padres will make eight more selections on Tuesday when rounds 3-10 are held, then finish with rounds 11-40 on Wednesday.
