MLB.com Predicts Padres Young Catching Prospect Breaks Out in 2024
The San Diego Padres might not have the best farm system in baseball, but it isn't completely devoid of talent.
Under late owner Peter Seidler, the Padres made some big trades at the expense of some of their best prospects — C.J. Abrams, Mackenzie Gore, Taylor Trammell, etc. — that stocked their major league roster with veteran talent at nearly every position.
Although they might need time to break through, these guys are young and have time to wait. One player who could make an impact in a handful of years is their young catcher, J.D. Gonzalez. Gonzalez is currently with the Arizona Complex League Padres, a rookie-level affiliate of the Padres.
Although he is only 18, two MLB writers, Jim Callis and Sam Dykstra, picked Gonzalez to be the Padres' breakout candidate for the 2024 season.
Padres: J.D. Gonzalez, C (No. 24)
Gonzalez became the first Puerto Rican catcher drafted in the top 10 rounds since 2017 when he went to the Padres in the third [round] last July, and his power potential and plus arm strength give him some interesting traits heading into his first full season. San Diego knows how to develop backstops too with Ethan Salas, Brandon Valenzuela and Lamar King Jr. also among its Top 30 prospects, so even if 2024 is just about setting a strong foundation for Gonzalez, who missed time with a knee injury last spring, that might be enough to increase his stock going into ’25.
This is a bold pick. Gonzalez is the Padres' 24th-best prospect, according to MLB.com, having yet to appear on any top-100 lists — or even an affiliated minor league game. He's only 18 years old, but stands 6 feet tall and weighs 182 pounds.
Martinez, the 96th overall pick in last year's draft, has shown raw power and the ability to hit left-handed pitchers in his brief professional career. In nine games in the Puerto Rico Winter League — where the competition is liable to be twice his age — Gonzalez is 3 for 15 with 10 strikeouts.
We'll find out soon if Gonzalez will be ready to take the leap this upcoming season.
