The Padres dreamed on Michael Gettys’ ceiling as a power/speed threat who could provide plus defense in center field when the Josh Byrnes regime drafted him in the second round in 2014. He ranked as high as No. 8 in the system by Baseball America after leading Padres farmhands with 33 steals in 2016 and in 2019 hit more homers – 31 – than anyone else in the system.
One problem: Gettys’ penchant of striking out continues to hold him back.
In fact, it was the chief reason why the Padres did not protect Gettys when he was eligible for the Rule 5 draft last year and why he again might not get a spot on the 40-man roster this week as he begins widespread marketing in the Puerto Rican winter league.