The San Diego Padres are currently mired in an underachieving season sitting at 49-53, with the third-highest payroll in all of baseball. As the team attempts to find its footing in the NL with 60 games left, they’re front office may have added a future star in the 2023 MLB Draft.
With the 25th overall pick in the draft the Padres chose the speedy outfielder Dillon Head, who stole 31 bases in 31 attempts during his senior season at Homewood-Flossmoor High School just south of Chicago.
Head, will bring an added dimension to a Padres squad that could use a jolt in the speed department, in both the minors and major leagues.
Head Officially Signs With Padres
Last week, the Padres were able to get the talented outfielder under contract with a $2.8 million signing bonus. The bonus was slightly under the recommended $3.17 million allotment, but it does pull the base thief away from his commitment to the Clemson Tigers.
Following his signing, Padres President of Baseball Operations, A.J. Preller raved about Head’s abilities on the diamond.
With the 25th pick in the 2023 #MLBDraft, the Padres have selected Dillon Head from Homewood-Flossmoor HS (IL). pic.twitter.com/gtMWsUIeqn
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 10, 2023
“If not one of the fastest, maybe the fastest player in the draft. Advertisement “It’s a real explosive burst and a guy that can impact the game with his legs defensively,” Preller said last week. “That’s one of the things over the last few years, what some of the players have in common, what some of those guys that are doing well in the minor leagues or gotten to the big league’s, Dillon has a lot of similar traits to them.”
While Head being drafted hurts the Tigers 2023 recruiting class, it immediately helps the Padres as they begin to groom him into their next great outfielder.
Head Has Elite Baseball Instincts
Dillon Head has a deal with the Padres for $2,800,000. The outfielder was the 25th overall pick. pic.twitter.com/4hPymz4G9R
— Milb Central (@milb_central) July 19, 2023
Head is known for his elite speed and quickness, but he is so much more. He also possesses some of the best hand-eye coordination of any player at any level.
Leadership and maturity are also two other traits heavily associated with Head and make many believe he’ll reach the majors much sooner than most high schoolers ever would.
