Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Left-handed reliever Kyle McGrath allowed no runs on a hit in his fourth, three-inning start in the Arizona Fall League on Monday, while Manuel Margot and Carlos Asuaje had strong weeks in the Dominican Republic Winter League.
McGrath has allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 12 innings in Arizona for a 0.75 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. McGrath has won both his decisions.
Right-handed reliever Phil Maton is also 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 0.57 WHIP for the Peoria Javelinas. He has allowed one run on four hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in seven innings.
Right-hander Jason Jester has two saves and has allowed one run on seven hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over eight innings in Arizona for a 1.13 ERA. Left-hander José Torres (4.15 ERA) has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Left-hander Brad Wieck (0-1, 8.64 ERA) has allowed eight runs on 11 hits and six walks with 13 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings.
Second baseman Josh VanMeter continues to lead the three Padres hitting prospects in the AFL. He is hitting .297 (11-for-37) with 12 walks for a .451 on-base percentage. He has one home run and has driven in six runs with 10 runs scored.
Center fielder Franchy Cordero is hitting .250 (10-for-40) with a .318 on-base percentage. He has two doubles and a homer for six RBIs and eight runs scored. Center fielder Michael Gettys is hitting .204 (11-for-54) with four doubles, a triple, two homers, two steals, four RBIs and eight runs scored.
Second baseman Asuaje went 9-for-26 last week with a triple and seven RBIs for Escogido to raise his batting average to .273. He has also drawn four walks for a .350 on-base percentage. Center fielder Margot is hitting .294 (10-for-34) for the Toros del Este with four doubles and three walks for a .342 on-base percentage. The Toros are using him in the leadoff and No. 3 spots in their batting order.
Left-hander Frank Garces has allowed three runs on a hit and two walks with a strikeout in 3 1/3 innings over four appearances with the Toros. Right-hander Jose Rafael De Paula has allowed an unearned run on two walks without allowing a hit in two innings for the Toros.
Shortstop José Rondón is hitting .245 (12-for-49) for Magallanes in Venezuela. He has three doubles, a triple and a homer for nine runs scored and two RBIs with a .327 on-base percentage. Shortstop Daniel Bravo is batting .190 (8-for-45) for Aragua in Venezuela with a .306 on-base percentage.
Right-handed reliever Keith Hessler has allowed a run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout in 3 2/3 innings over four appearances with Cibao. Right-hander Yimmi Brasoban has a strikeout in a perfect inning for the Gigantes.
Right-hander Gerardo Reyes has made five appearances for Obregon of the Mexican Pacific League, allowing no runs on two hits with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Second baseman Fernando Perez is 4-for-13 with three walks for Hermosillo.