However, when it comes to ranking the best Minor League prospect defenders, Hedges is the best at his position, according to a pro scouting director poll on Milb.com, which is documenting the best prospects defenders for its Defensive Gems series.

Padres’ fans have heard how good of a defensive catcher Hedges is, ever since he was drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft, now the rest of the baseball world knows, too.

Hedges is the 20-year-old pupil of former Big League catcher and three-time Gold Glove award winner, Brad Ausmus, who works for the Padres as a special assistant to baseball operations.

The Padres’ catcher of the future knows he is the best defensive catching prospect in the Minor Leagues, but admits he still needs to improve behind the plate.

“I am trying to be a little more relaxed behind the plate so that I can receive and block successfully. I’m working on my breathing and being quieter back there.”

Good defensive catchers don’t come a dime a dozen, so Hedges is a unique player.

If Hedges can continue to put up solid offensive production like he did last year at Fort Wayne .279/.334/.451, then he would be the complete package.

The future is bright for this kid.

For awhile, I convinced myself to be content with the Padres holding on to their bullets. There is no need to blow up your entire farm for one player, especially if that player does not convert the team from pretender to contender. But then Keith Law’s Top 100 Prospects for 2013

“What? I’m only gone 50 games.” Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

was released and my mind completely flipped. Six Padres were listed, four are carry overs from 2012. Their 2012 ranking is in parenthesis.

36. Austin Hedges

51. Max Fried

54. Rymer Liriano (40)

60. Casey Kelly (32)

70. Jedd Gyorko (90)

88. Joe Ross (49)

Players ranked last year all went down a few spots except for Gyorko, who is arguably our most sought out prospect. But what do these rankings mean? What percentage of the guys ranked between #50 and #60 become major contributors on a big league team? Whats the probability all of them becoming everyday starters?

I have no answer to any of those questions, but I did come to a conclusion.

Since 2010, Kelly has gone from #18 on Law’s list down to #60 where he sits today. He got a few starts with the Padres, albeit prematurely, and looked OK. He was always projected to be, at best, a #2 starter in the rotation but more likely a #3 guy.

You know who else was ranked around #60 not too long ago? Simon Castro. I do not want to compare but I do want to point out the delicacy of these rankings. Castro was ranked #64 on Law’s list in 2011. We moved him to Chicago in the Quentin trade. Castro still has not been called up.

Jaff Decker was ranked #50 on MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo list of top 50 prospects  in 2010.  In 2011, he was #46 on Keith Law’s list. He has since been leapfrogged by our current set of highly touted prospects.

Unless you have a guy like Jason Heyward, Mike Trout, Stephen Strasburg, guys consistently listed #1 or #2 on EVERYONE’S list, they’re not a sure thing.

In the Peavy deal, we acquired the two best pitchers in the White Sox’s  system in Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard. Poreda was suppose to be a stud. He’s not even on our team anymore. Three of the four players we received in the trade are not on the team.

That is how delicate and hard gauging prospects is. A sure thing can always blow up in your face and all of a sudden you are left without an ace on the staff. Even the Latos trade took a knock with the Grandal suspension.

If Byrnes had a deal on the table set for Stanton or Upton, the trigger needed to be pulled. Both are proven players and are only going to get better. Holding on to prospects and rejecting trades for players ready to play now will leave the Padres selling us the team on potential. “Yeah we’re 35-64 but look at all the high-ceiling draft picks on the field.” Is that what you want to hear in 2 years?

Why do we have to be the team that sits on prospects when we have the bullets to be firing away and taking proven talent from teams? We’re still getting a feel for our new front office but Byrnes being gun-shy for a player of Stanton or Upton’s caliber leaves me wondering if banking on our highly ranked farm wont blow up in our face.

The Tincaps had some individuals have huge years for the team. In fact, six of the Padres top twenty prospects(according to mlb.com) suited up for Fort Wayne in 2012. The team is clearly loaded with talent and many of the stars for the Tincaps should make an impact for the Padres in the near future.

Yeison Ascencio won the Midwest League batting title, by hitting .323. He is an outfielder that should get better with age. While he does not draw a ton of walks, he seems to exhibit many of the abilities that Padres top prospect Rymer Liriano.

Two of my favorite Padres prospects also had banner years for the Tincaps. Austin Hedges, the highly regarded young catcher had a remarkable season for Fort Wayne. Hedges has always been highly regarded for his glove, but his bat opened many eyes in the Padres organization. Hedges posted a triple-slash line of .279/.334/.451, with 10 homers and 56 RBI’s. He even stole 14 bases — mighty impressive for a catcher. Jace Peterson, the young shortstop also had an impressive year. He was second in the Midwest League with 51 stolen bases and posted an impressive on-base percentage of .378. Peterson could be the Padres shortstop of the future.

On the pitching side, the Tincaps finished tied for 4th in the Midwest League in ERA, posting a solid 3.59 for the season. Matthew Wisler led the way, posting an ERA of 2.53 in 24 starts. He also averaged nearly a strikeout per inning. Frank Garces, a young lefty signed out of the Dominican Republic, was a Midwest League All-Star in 2012, and posted a solid 2.81 ERA in 25 starts.

Out of the bullpen, Matthew Stites posted a banner year, going 2-0, with a microscopic ERA of 0.74. He is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League, opening many eyes in the Padres organization.

The Padres continue to show why they have one of the deepest farm systems in all of baseball. I bet that many players on the Tincaps squad will be playing at Petco Park in a few years.