Exciting Padres Prospect Seen As Dark Horse Candidate To Make Big League Club

Could the young outfielder actually make the Padres' big league club?

Who will see time in the outfield for the San Diego Padres in 2024?

Fernando Tatís Jr. certainly will see plenty of time, but the other two outfield spots still have question marks. San Diego traded Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees and have been looking for upgrades in the outfield ever since.

San Diego has been linked to a handful of outfielders as trade candidates -- including the Boston Red Sox's Jarren Duran and Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick -- but hasn't been able to get a deal done yet.

It's unclear exactly what will happen with San Diego and if the club will be able to make another addition, but one internal candidate who is seen as a dark horse option to make the club is No. 13 prospect Jakob Marsee, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell.

"Marsee is a lefty-hitting outfielder," Cassavell said. "The Padres need lefty hitters, and they need outfielders. So it stands to reason that the reigning Arizona Fall League (Most Valuable Player) -- and the team’s No. 13-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline -- would have a chance to win a roster spot. Among the numerous candidates for playing time in the outfield, Marsee is one of only a handful capable of playing center field. The Padres are still looking to add to their outfield mix either via trade or free agency. But for now, the righty-hitting José Azocar is the only center fielder on the 40-man roster, and a platoon between Azocar and Marsee seems possible."

Marsee shined last season while seeing time with the Double-A San Antonio Missions and High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps. The 22-year-old clubbed 16 home runs, drove in 46 runs, and slashed .274/.413/.428 in 129 total games played. 

The young outfielder appeared in 24 games with the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League and was wildly successful. He smashed five home runs, drove in 20 runs, stole 16 bases, and slashed .391/.509/.707.

If the Padres aren't able to make another addition, why not give the speedy young outfielder a chance?