A Storm's a-brewin: De Vries collects first two hits

In recent years, the Padres have shown they are not afraid to push their top prospects. For the second straight season, they are starting a 17-year-old No. 1 international prospect at Single-A Lake Elsinore rather than in rookie ball, and in turn, challenging him from the moment he enters the organization.

Last year, they did this with Ethan Salas, to great success; he is now the game’s No. 7 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline. This year, they’re doing it with Leodalis De Vries -- and he’s already seeing results, too.

San Diego’s fifth-ranked prospect and No. 92 overall per MLB Pipeline, De Vries collected his first professional hit as part of a big game in Lake Elsinore's 10-8 loss to Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday at LoanMart Field. De Vries notched two hits, scored a run and reached base three times in his second pro contest, after going hitless in his debut on Tuesday.

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Starting at shortstop and batting third in the Storm’s lineup, De Vries sprayed a single in his first at-bat, then stole second but was stranded there. He added a double in his next at-bat, in the third, and walked and scored a run in his final at-bat of the day.

It was just one game, but it was reflective of the kind of all-around game the Padres envision ultimately developing in De Vries, who signed for $4.2 million in January out of the Dominican Republic. The tall, athletic, switch-hitting shortstop is a former basketball player with above-average tools across the board, including plus speed and an advanced approach at the plate. His pitch recognition and contact skills were big drivers in his assignment to Single-A to begin the year, after heading stateside for Spring Training and showing well in San Diego’s inaugural Spring Breakout game.

Both are atypical assignments for a 17-year-old. But De Vries is no average 17-year old. And he doesn’t turn 18 until October, which means he’ll play this entire season -- his first in pro ball -- at 17.

That’s what is called the fast track to San Diego.