21-year old righty starting pitcher Mat Latos has a bright future with the Padres. The 6′6″, 225 pound Latos was the Padres’ #2 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 13 games (11 starts) in A+AA ball this season and he was 8-1 with a 1.37 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. He only allowed 42 hits in 72 1/3 innings in the minors this season while whiffing 73 batters showing what kind of stuff he has. Latos then was recalled by the Padres and he has started 10 games for them this season and he is 4-5 with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Latos’ control was a little off with the Padres as he has walked 23 batters in 50 2/3 innings but that’s something he can fix. He only allowed 43 hits while whiffing 39 batters for the Padres showing that he was not intimidated by major league hitters. Look for him to battle for a spot in the starting rotation for the Padres in 2010 next spring.

24-year old righty reliever Evan Scribner was not a highly thought of prospect heading into this season but he might have pitched his way into the good graces of the Padres. Scribner has pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in AA-ball this season and he is 6-3 with 18 saves, a 2.92 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He has whiffed 58 batters in only 52 1/3 innings this season while only allowing 44 hits. Don’t be surprised if Scribner makes his way to San Diego this season.

It might not be too long before 33-year old righty starting pitcher Brian Lawrence gets another chance at the show for the Padres. He has pitched in 5 games (4 starts) in AAA-ball this season and he is 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. His pinpoint control has never left him as he has only walked 4 batters in 33 innings this season. Lawrence last pitched in the majors during the 2007 season with the Mets. He pitched five years with the Padres covering 162 games (146 starts) in which he was 49-61 with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.

22-year old righty swinging 1B Kyle Blanks is the #1 prospect in the Padres’ system according to Baseball America. But, the 6′6″, 280 pounder is blocked at his natural position by Adrian Gonzalez so he will get to play the outfield. Blanks has played in 12 games for the Padres so far this season and he is 6 for 31 (.194 avg, .596 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 3 RBIs. Blanks has whiffed 11 times already but he will likely make better contact if he gets regular playing time. He played in 66 AAA games before his recall by the Padres and he was 66 for 233 (.283 avg, .878 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 12 homers and 38 RBIs. If the Padres wind up trading Adrian Gonzalez (that would be dumb) then Blanks would return to his natural position.

The San Diego Padres are not happy with 2B Matt Antonelli who came into this season as the #2 prospect in the minor league system before the year started according to Baseball America. The 23-year old righty swinging Antonelli has played in 85 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 61 for 315 (.194 avg, .596 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 3 homers, 26 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Antonelli might be blowing a big chance as the Padres could be in sell mode soon at the major league level but they would be nuts to call up a player that can’t even hit .200 in AAA ball.