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.

Tucson 3 (31-55), Las Vegas 1: The T-Padres are turning their fortunes around, as the have won 8 of 11. Matt Jackson, who has pitched most of the year for Lake Elsinore, got the win. Jackson contributed with five shutout innings.  The Padres won, despite having 0 extra base-hits.

San Antonio 4 (10-1), NW Arkansas 2: The Missions just keep on winning , improving to 10-1 in the second half.1B  Nathan Freiman(.284) slammed his 17th homer on the year, and2B  Jonathan Galvez(.339) also had a pair of RBI’s. Andrew Werner(3.57 ERA) got the win, as he gave up just two runs in six innings.

March 27, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jonathan Galvez (73) turns the double play while avoiding the Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (5) in the fifth inning at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE

Fort Wayne 8 (9-3), Bowling Green 1: Fort Wayne is playing well, and got five shutout innings from Midwest League All-Star Frank Garces. Garces has a 5-4 record on the year, with a 2.45 ERA. 2011 6th round pick OF Kyle Gaedele(.220) had two hits, and a pair of RBI’s.

Eugene 9 (10-9), Everett 1: The Emeralds returned home after a 14-game road trip, and beatdown first-place Everett. Jeremy Baltz(.291). went 2-3, with 3 RBI’s. Justin Hancock(3.06 ERA) was brilliant, as he gave up just one hit in five shutout innings. He also struck out seven.

Las Vegas 11, Tucson 6 (23-51): The T-Pads got off to a fast start, scoring 5 runs in the second, but were done in by the mighty offense of the 51′s. Las Vegas scored 5 in the 7th inning for the win. DH Yasmani Grandal continues to swing a hot bat, as he went 3-4, with 2 doubles, and 3 RBI’s. Grandal is hitting .318 for the year. Top prospect3B Jedd Gyroko went 1-5, and is hitting .313 on the year at AAA. RP Josh Spence took the loss in relief, and he was rocked. Spence recorded just one out, and gave up 5 earned runs. His ERA sits at a bloated 6.87.

March 27, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (70) shakes hands with third base coach after hitting a two run homerun against the Texas Rangers ib the third inning at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE

San Antonio 8 (2-1), Midland 3: The Missions pounded out 16 hits, including 3 from Texas League All-Star SS Dean Anna(.305) had three hits, and a pair of RBI’s. Top prospect P Keyvius Sampson(5.90 ERA) started, and worked 4 innings, and gave up 2 earned runs in 4 innings. He struggled with his control, as he walked four, but did strikeout 8.

Lake Elsinore 6 (2-0), Lancaster 2: Lake Elsinore got huge performances from 2B Casey McElroy(5-6 in A ball) who went 4-4, and 3B Connor Powers(.242 avg), who homered for a 2nd consecutive game. McElroy was recently promoted from Low-A Fort Wayne. Burch Smith(3.68 ERA) was fantastic for the Storm, as he took a perfect game into the fifth. He finished 5 innings, allowing just one hit.

Fort Wayne 4 (1-0, in 2nd half), Lake County 3: CF Donavan Tate(.200) had a nice game, going 2-5, with a double and RBI. Midwest League All-Star SS Jace Peterson(.278) went 1-3, with two walks. Frank Garces scattered 7 hits over 5 innings, allowing just one run. Garces walked 1, and struck out 3.

Boise 6, Eugene 4 (4-4): Boise scored 5 runs in the first three innings, and held off the Emeralds from there. CF Alberth Martinez(.379) continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-5. The Emeralds only went 1-12 with runners in scoring position. Will Scott(6.30 ERA) struggled, as he gave up 5 earned runs in five innings.