Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

A product of Diablos Rojos del Mexico in Mexico City, Ornelas signed with the Padres for $1.5 million as part of the organization’s 2016-17 international class, and he’s been a solid but not stellar performer ever since, resulting in three straight non-protections from the Rule 5 Draft when eligible. The outfielder most recently split his age-23 season between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso in 2023, slashing .285/.371/.452 with a career-high 15 homers over 127 games.

The left-handed slugger exhibits promising raw power. He had a 114.0 mph max exit velocity for El Paso -- only the rehabbing Fernando Tatis Jr. posted an EV higher than that for the Chihuahuas in ’23 -- and his 104.3 90th-percentile EV was fifth-best on the club (min. 200 PA). That improving strength led to the heightened homer total, but Ornelas, who begins from an open stance before starting his swing with a leg kick, still hits the ball on the ground too much to project for better-than-average in-game pop. While Ornelas has kept his strikeouts in check in recent years, he might struggle against better breaking stuff after both chasing and whiffing on sliders at the upper levels.

A touch-below-average runner, the 6-foot-2 prospect has been delegated to corner-outfield duty the higher he climbs, and he might be a better fit in left than right due to average arm strength. He’ll factor into San Diego’s depth on the grass this summer but doesn’t figure to be more than a fourth outfielder who can provide lefty thump off the bench.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

The Padres have a history of adding talent from Diablos Rojos del Mexico in Mexico City, including Major Leaguers Luis Urías and Andrés Muñoz and another prospect in Rosman Verdugo. Ornelas continued that tradition when he entered the San Diego system as a 17-year-old in March 2017, and while his performance hasn’t necessarily been stellar anywhere just yet, he has been pushed fairly aggressively throughout his career, including when he played 112 games at Double-A as a 22-year-old in 2022. He slashed .288/.355/.408 with seven homers and seven steals in 112 games with San Antonio before getting a late cup of coffee at Triple-A and a 16-game trip to the Arizona Fall League.

Perhaps the most important development of Ornelas’ 2022 regular season was the fact that he cut his strikeout rate from 22 percent in 2021 to 17.2 last year. That helped his Double-A average jump more than 30 points higher than his career mark, and it helps in the belief that his bat could be close to Major League average in time. That said, while he does show at least average raw power, it doesn't translate into games, with the biggest culprit being a ground-ball rate hovering around 50 percent.

Ornelas needs to hit, though, because he’s become a full-time corner outfielder, due to his fringy speed. He’ll need to prioritize adding some loft to his left-handed swing in the upper Minors, because while he has been young for most levels, he’s also been left off the 40-man roster two years in a row when Rule 5-eligible.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Signed in 2016 from the same Mexico City Red Devils team that produced Major Leaguers Luis Urias and Andres Munoz, Ornelas quickly emerged as one of the Padres’ highest-ceiling prospects, pairing a knack for reaching base with a physical build expected to produce power. But Ornelas took a step back in 2019, when he slashed just .220/.309/.292 at Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore. His numbers improved last season as he hit .248/.344/.389 over 107 games at High-A, though there’s still work to be done.

Ornelas made some adjustments to his swing prior to last season. He has a smooth left-handed stroke, but lacks bat speed and doesn’t get to his power consistently in games. He also has a tendency to sell out a bit to get to that power, which exposes other holes in his swing. When everything is clicking, he shows a solid approach, a willingness to take a walk and the ability to spray the ball all over the field.

Ornelas played some center field at the lower levels, but has since moved to the corners as he lacks the speed to stick in center. However, it’s the bat that will determine his career path and if he’s able to start hitting for power more consistently, he could transition into a fourth-outfield type.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Signed in 2016 from the same Mexico City Red Devils team that produced Luis Urías and Andrés Muñoz, Ornelas emerged as one of the organization’s highest-ceiling prospects, pairing a knack for reaching base with a physical build that might produce some power. But Ornelas took an undoubted step back in 2019, when he slashed just .220/.309/.292 at Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore. He appeared to be making strides in the 2020-21 offseason while playing in Mexico before he broke a bone in his forearm and needed surgery. 

Ornelas started in early May with High-A Fort Wayne, but has been a little below-average with the bat at that level. Prior to the season, the Padres and Ornelas underwent a series of adjustments to his swing, in an effort to make the most out of his excellent hitting tools. He owns a fluid but explosive left-handed stroke that could translate to above-average power eventually. He also has a penchant for recognizing pitches and a willingness to take a walk.

Ornelas has played some center field at the lower levels, but he's been moved to right in 2021. He's a fringe-average runner and could lose a step with physical development. That likely will keep Ornelas in a corner, and he'll need to start producing more than he has in 2021 to make the most of that new profile.

2020 Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Signed from the same Mexico City Red Devils team that produced Luis Urias and Andres Munoz, Ornelas landed a $1.5 million bonus from the Padres in 2016. He emerged as one of the organization’s highest-ceiling prospects, pairing a knack for reaching base with a physical build that might one day produce some power. But Ornelas took an undoubted step back in 2019. He slashed just .220/.309/.292 at Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore.

Then again, Ornelas was just a 19-year-old playing the California League, so he has plenty of time to bounce back. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Ornelas shows flashes of an impact player with his size, athleticism and array of tools. He's a very advanced hitter with a fluid but explosive left-handed swing. It could translate to above-average power as Ornelas grows into his projectable frame and learns to hit the ball in the air. He hasn't quite tapped into that raw power yet, but he has a knack for recognizing pitches and a willingness to take a walk.

Ornelas has played some center field at the lower levels, but he's unlikely to stay there. He's a fringe-average runner and could lose a step with physical development. That likely will push Ornelas to either right or left field, where his offensive profile and above-average arm strength are clean fits.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

TEX Player of the Month

Month	Team
06/2023

TEX Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/18/2023

Mexican Pacific League Rookie of the Year

Year	Team
2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/29/2024	LF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Charros de Jalisco.
	10/29/2024	LF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Charros de Jalisco.
	10/12/2024	San Diego Padres activated LF Tirso Ornelas.
	10/01/2024	San Diego Padres recalled LF Tirso Ornelas from El Paso Chihuahuas.
	07/17/2024	San Diego Padres optioned OF Tirso Ornelas to El Paso Chihuahuas.
	07/17/2024	San Diego Padres selected the contract of OF Tirso Ornelas from El Paso Chihuahuas.
	03/23/2024	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres Prospects.
	01/26/2024	San Diego Padres invited non-roster OF Tirso Ornelas to spring training.
	12/30/2023	Mayos de Navojoa placed OF Tirso Ornelas on the reserve list.
	10/12/2023	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Mayos de Navojoa.
	08/15/2023	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas from San Antonio Missions.
	08/08/2023	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Antonio Missions from El Paso Chihuahuas.
	06/28/2023	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas from San Antonio Missions.
	03/28/2023	OF Tirso Ornelas and assigned to San Antonio Missions from El Paso Chihuahuas.
	02/08/2023	San Diego Padres invited non-roster OF Tirso Ornelas and to spring training.
	09/27/2022	Peoria Javelinas activated OF Tirso Ornelas.
	09/27/2022	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Peoria Javelinas.
	09/23/2022	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas from San Antonio Missions.
	06/10/2022	San Antonio Missions activated OF Tirso Ornelas from the 7-day injured list.
	04/02/2022	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Antonio Missions from Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	04/02/2022	San Antonio Missions placed OF Tirso Ornelas on the 7-day injured list.
	03/19/2022	OF Tirso Ornelas and assigned to San Diego Padres.
	12/16/2021	Mayos de Navojoa activated OF Tirso Ornelas from the reserve list.
	12/15/2021	Mayos de Navojoa placed OF Tirso Ornelas on the reserve list.
	11/17/2021	Mayos de Navojoa activated OF Tirso Ornelas from the reserve list.
	11/12/2021	Mayos de Navojoa placed OF Tirso Ornelas on the reserve list.
	10/06/2021	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Mayos de Navojoa.
	02/12/2021	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	02/12/2021	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	02/12/2021	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	02/12/2021	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	11/19/2020	Mayos de Navojoa placed OF Tirso Ornelas on the reserve list.
	11/19/2020	Mayos de Navojoa placed OF Tirso Ornelas on the reserve list.
	11/03/2020	Yaquis de Obregon placed OF Tirso Ornelas on the reserve list.
	11/03/2020	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Mayos de Navojoa.
	10/14/2020	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Yaquis de Obregon.
	03/11/2020	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres.
	08/13/2019	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from AZL Padres 1.
	08/13/2019	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm.
	07/15/2019	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to AZL Padres 1 from AZL Padres 2.
	07/06/2019	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to AZL Padres 2 from Lake Elsinore Storm.
	04/01/2019	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from Fort Wayne TinCaps.
	03/21/2019	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	03/05/2019	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres.
	12/04/2018	Yaquis de Obregon placed CF Tirso Ornelas on the reserve list.
	11/09/2018	CF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Yaquis de Obregon.
	09/26/2018	Fort Wayne TinCaps activated RF Tirso Ornelas from the 7-day injured list.
	07/24/2018	Fort Wayne TinCaps placed RF Tirso Ornelas on the 7-day disabled list.
	04/01/2018	RF Tirso Ornelas assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from AZL Padres 2.
	03/04/2018	CF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres.
	09/29/2017	CF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	09/29/2017	CF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres Futures.
	06/24/2017	CF Tirso Ornelas assigned to AZL Padres 2.
	03/31/2017	OF Tirso Ornelas assigned to San Diego Padres.
	03/31/2017	San Diego Padres signed OF Tirso Ornelas.