Pauley didn’t become a full-time starter for Duke until his junior year, and he was still somewhat of an afterthought heading into the 2022 Draft before going in the 13th round to the Padres. In his first full pro season, he led San Diego farmhands in batting (.308), slugging (.538), OPS (.931), hits (148) and homers (23). He hasn't been as productive in 2024, though he made his big league debut in March before getting sent to the Marlins four months later as part of the Tanner Scott/Bryan Hoeing trade.
The left-handed slugger has a short and sweet swing that’s helped him make a healthy amount of contact since his collegiate days. Midway through last year, Pauley began to prioritize elevating the ball more on contact with a swing change meant to cut down on over-rotation and increase the amount of time his bat stayed in the strike zone. The result was a motion that added loft and allowed the pop to truly play to the pull side, and it’s easier to project Pauley getting to average power in the Majors.
Signed as a third baseman, Pauley has below-average speed and fringy arm strength that limit his effectiveness with the glove. Before the deal, he spent 2024 dividing his time between the hot corner, second base, first base and left field. He's a below-average defender at third and second and may not have the bat to profile as a regular at first or in left, so he may be destined for a reserve role in the big leagues.
The Georgia native didn’t play at all for Duke in the shortened 2020 season and then was a part-time starter for the Blue Devils in 2021. During his breakout junior season, Pauley led Duke with a .292 average and 62 hits while posting a 28/32 K/BB ratio over 54 games. The Padres selected him in the 13th round and signed him for $125,000, the max allowed without dipping into their bonus pool. Pauley reached Single-A Lake Elsinore last summer and returned to the Storm as one of the California League’s most productive hitters in his first full season.
Batting from the left side, Pauley employs a short, sweet swing that enables him to make consistent contact. Entering late June, he had just a 7.0 percent swinging-strike rate; the Major League average in 2023 is around 11 percent. He bats out of a slightly open stance too, which helps him see balls well out of the pitcher’s hand, thus driving up his walk rates. It should be mostly gap power in his 6-foot-1 frame, however, though his pop was playing better than ever following a midseason promotion to High-A Fort Wayne.
A slightly below-average runner, Pauley still has the footwork, reactions and overall athleticism to be a solid defender at the hot corner. San Diego officials already acknowledge that Manny Machado’s long-term presence affects their third-base depth chart, and it’s likely they’ll put Pauley’s athleticism and solid arm strength to work at second or in the outfield as he climbs. He profiles best as a utilityman capable of getting on base in bunches when given plate appearances.
Miami Marlins recalled 3B Graham Pauley from Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
09/17/2024
3B Graham Pauley assigned to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp from Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
07/30/2024
Miami Marlins traded LHP Tanner Scott and RHP Bryan Hoeing to San Diego Padres for RHP Adam Mazur, 2B Jay Beshears, LHP Robby Snelling and 3B Graham Pauley.
07/30/2024
3B Graham Pauley assigned to Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
07/30/2024
Miami Marlins reassigned 3B Graham Pauley to the minor leagues.
05/04/2024
San Diego Padres optioned 3B Graham Pauley to El Paso Chihuahuas.
05/04/2024
El Paso Chihuahuas activated 3B Graham Pauley.
04/20/2024
San Diego Padres recalled 3B Graham Pauley from El Paso Chihuahuas.
04/09/2024
San Diego Padres optioned 3B Graham Pauley to El Paso Chihuahuas.
03/19/2024
San Diego Padres selected the contract of 3B Graham Pauley from San Antonio Missions.
03/07/2024
San Diego Padres Prospects activated 3B Graham Pauley.
01/26/2024
San Diego Padres invited non-roster 3B Graham Pauley to spring training.
09/22/2023
Peoria Javelinas activated 3B Graham Pauley.
08/22/2023
3B Graham Pauley assigned to San Antonio Missions from Fort Wayne TinCaps.
08/22/2023
San Antonio Missions activated 3B Graham Pauley.
06/27/2023
3B Graham Pauley assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from Lake Elsinore Storm.
06/27/2023
Fort Wayne TinCaps activated 3B Graham Pauley.
04/03/2023
3B Graham Pauley assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from ACL Padres.
03/11/2023
3B Graham Pauley and assigned to San Diego Padres.
09/12/2022
3B Graham Pauley assigned to ACL Padres from Lake Elsinore Storm.
08/22/2022
3B Graham Pauley assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from ACL Padres.
Note: xHR tells how many of this player's home runs would have been out of other stadiums. The "Adjusted" view here accounts for different wall heights, distances and environmental effects using Statcast Park Factor data.
Standard
Year
HR
2024
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
3
1
2
1
0
0
3
2
2
Player
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
3
1
2
1
0
0
3
2
2
Note: xHR tells how many of this player's home runs would have been out of other stadiums. The "Standard" view here accounts for different wall heights and distances but excludes environmental effects. It is based purely on the observed trajectory of the hit.
! Note: Shifts are through the 2022 season, Shaded starting from the 2023 season, Shift: three or more infielders are on the same side of second base, Shade: positioned outside of their typical responsible slices of the field. Learn more about how positioning is defined here