Dinelson Lamet

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #9 prospect in 2017
  The Padres signed Lamet for $100,000 as a rare 21-year old international signee, but despite the late sign he has used his experience to climb the minor league ladder rapidly. He skipped short-season ball and went straight to low Class A Fort Wayne in 2015, and then in 2016 rose through three levels to finish the year at Triple-A El Paso. Lamet possesses a strong, durable, athletic build, allowing him to repeat his delivery and hold his stuff deep into starts. His mid-90s fastball and upper-80s slider both possess sharp, late movement and grade above-average to plus. He added an 85-88 mph changeup during 2016 spring training under the tutelage of high Class A Lake Elsinore pitching coach Glendon Rusch that evaluators project to average. The addition of the change allowed Lamet to better neutralize lefthanded batters and make it through the order a third time. The result was he led the Padres system in wins (12) and strikeouts (158) while ranking second in innings (150) and ERA (3.00). Lamet's control is fringe-average, but the overall quality of his stuff generates plenty of swings and misses and limits hard contact. Lamet can be a No. 4 or 5 starter with further changeup development or a high-leverage reliever if the pitch stagnates. He will begin 2017 at El Paso with a strong chance to join the Padres by midsummer.
• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #17 prospect in 2016
  The Padres signed the lanky, 6-foot-4 Lamet for $100,000 in July 2014. Because he turned pro at age 21--ancient by Dominican amateur standards--his stuff was more advanced than his teen peers. That was evident when after just two appearances in the Dominican Summer League in 2014, Lamet bypassed short-season ball and began 2015 at low Class A Fort Wayne, and he excelled. He ranked among the Midwest League leaders with 120 strikeouts and recorded a 2.99 ERA. Lamet's frame has plenty of room for additional growth, but he has a perfect pitcher's body, with a long, loose arm that adds fluidity to his motion. He is athletic and a great competitor. His fastball sits 90-94 mph with good, late tail, and his slider projects to be an above-average pitch as he gains consistency. Despite his workload increase, Lamet actually improved as the season progressed, recording a 1.42 ERA in August. Scouts say he could move quickly as a reliever because he lacks a developed third pitch, and in his two relief appearances, he struck out 10 of the 21 batters he faced. Lamet will begin 2016 at high Class A Lake Elsinore, but a move to Double-A San Antonio is possible.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #9 prospect in 2016
  Lamet finished last season with only a fastball and slider but added a mid-80s changeup in spring training and developed into one of the Padres' most promising starters. Lamet commands his 92-96 mph fastball and uses his 87-89 slider as his out pitch. His changeup gave him another weapon to fool batters, and that carried him to success even after a June promotion to Double-A San Antonio. He also made two late Triple-A starts and went 12-10, 3.00 overall with 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Inconsistent control on Lamet's secondary pitches leads to occasional wildness, as evidenced by his walk rate of 3.7 per nine innings. Still, he is in position to break through to the majors next year.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: The Padres signed Lamet for $100,000 as a 21-year old and he has climbed their system rapidly. He rose through three levels in 2016 to finish the year at Triple-A El Paso. Scouting Report: Lamet possesses a strong, durable, athletic build, allowing him to repeat his delivery and hold his stuff deep into starts. His mid-90s fastball and upper-80s slider both possess sharp, late movement and grade above-average to plus. He added an 85-88 mph changeup during 2016 that evaluators project to average. The addition of the change allowed Lamet to better neutralize lefthanded batters and make it through the order a third time. The result was he led the Padres system in wins (12) and strikeouts (158) while ranking second in innings (150) and ERA (3.00). Lamet's control is fringe-average, but the overall quality of his stuff generates plenty of swings and misses and limits hard contact.
  
  The Future: Lamet can be a No. 4 or 5 starter with further changeup development or a high-leverage reliever if the pitch stagnates. He will begin 2017 at El Paso with a strong chance to join the Padres by midsummer.