Andres Pagan

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #23 prospect in 2001
  After Pagan batted .187 in the Arizona League in his 1999 pro debut, the Padres not surprisingly considered his defense well ahead of his offense. Last season, he caught the hitting fever that gripped Pioneer League champion Idaho Falls--the team batted a collective .317 to lead the minors--and raised his average 125 points. A high school hurdles champ in Puerto Rico, Pagan is an athletic backstop with strong catch-and-throw skills. Basestealers had surprising success against him last year, however, succeeding on 82 percent of their attempts. Pagan gets high marks for his ability to run a pitching staff. He still has work to do offensively, such as making more contact and drawing more walks. After sharing time behind the plate with Nick Trzesniak in 2000, he likely will do so again this year at Fort Wayne.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #18 prospect in 2000
  Pagan approaches Jose Diaz's level defensively and has more upside on offense. He was a high school-age high hurdles champion in Puerto Rico and is a catcher because he's good at it, not because he couldn't play another position. "His defense will get him to the big leagues," Werner said. "If he hits--and he's made great improvement this year--I think he's got a chance to start at the major league level." Opposing managers had similar thoughts. "He improved a ton handling the bat," Urso said. "Once we saw that, we decided he was for real."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Pagan approaches Jose Diaz's level defensively and has more upside on offense. He was a high school-age high hurdles champion in Puerto Rico and is a catcher because he's good at it, not because he couldn't play another position. "His defense will get him to the big leagues," Werner said. "If he hits--and he's made great improvement this year--I think he's got a chance to start at the major league level." Opposing managers had similar thoughts. "He improved a ton handling the bat," Urso said. "Once we saw that, we decided he was for real."