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.
“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
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.
The 2023 MLB Draft was heavy on LSU Tigers aka “Bayou Bengals.” With the top two picks being pitcher Paul Skenes going first overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder going second overall to the Washington Nationals.
In all the Tigers saw 13 picks from their 2023 national championship squad drafted in the 2023 MLB Draft. While Skenes and Crews are expected to be stars, first baseman/outfielder Tre Morgan who was selected in the third round is believed to be the Rays future starter there at first. But he’s also capable of playing in the outfield as well.
On Friday, Morgan and the Rays agreed to a deal worth $783,800 which is the full value for the slot. The move, which was expected, means Morgan can now get to work on making that climb to the majors.
Following his selection earlier this month, an elated Morgan told reporters this.
“This is all me and my family has ever worked for. I get an opportunity to continue my baseball career.”
Tre Morgan has a deal with the Rays for $783,800. The first baseman was picked in the third round. pic.twitter.com/YIBrvtTAT8
Known for his acrobatic throws and plays at first base, the defensive savant also had a great year at the plate in helping the LSU Tigers capture their seventh national championship. Only the USC Trojans have more as a program (12).
For the season, Morgan hit nine homers in 69 games for the Tigers. For his efforts he was named to the 2023 College World Series All-Tournament Team.
In his three-year career he batted .332 with 20 homers and 149 RBI.
From the moment he arrived at LSU by way of Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, he shined. Morgan, along with fellow MLB Draft picks Skenes and Crews, were true difference-makers for the Tigers this season.
As an overall player, Morgan possesses great versatility, and that element to his game really shows on defense. He was great at first base, but actually played more innings in left field where he also didn’t miss a beat. That type of versatility from a player is what GMs and managers crave.
On offense the Rays are getting a contact hitter who tallied more than 80 hits in each of his three collegiate seasons. Some say Morgan is a tweener, but that’s not a bad thing in baseball, because in essence he can used as a utility player if need be.
No matter what, Morgan is the type of player that teams love to have at their disposal because of his elite versatility.
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