Carlos Asuaje

Asuaje earned a cup of coffee with the Padres in September after an impressive performance in the Pacific Coast League with Triple-A El Paso, which garnered PCL Rookie of the Year honors. At 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, Asuaje looks the part of a left-handed hitting utility player, but he spent most of his time with El Paso playing second base in 2016. El Paso has played as one of the most hitter-friendly environments in the PCL, but he hit six of his nine homers on the road last season while posting an OPS on the road (.864) that was 26 points above his home mark. Additionally, Asuaje improved against same-handed pitching, finishing with a .333/.404/.461 line (19:19 BB:K) against lefties compared to a .316/.366/.478 mark (30:63 BB:K) against righties. If he makes a quick adjustment to big league pitching, Asuaje's potential for double-digit homers and steals could lead him to regular playing time in 2017.

Asuaje, an 11th round draft pick in 2013, has been mostly a middle infielder, but has been introduced to third base and left field in 2014. He hit well in college with limited power and showed some on-base ability at Short Season Lowell in 2013. Will start at Low-A Greenville.