Scouting Report

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

The Padres pushed Zavala aggressively after signing him for $1.2 million out of Venezuela in January 2021. He reached Single-A for the first time in his age-17 season in 2022 and spent his age-18 year batting .243/.391/.406 with 14 homers and 21 steals in 115 games between two Class A levels. The White Sox acquired him along with righty pitching prospects Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte plus Steven Wilson in the March trade that sent Dylan Cease to San Diego.

Zavala’s unwillingness to expand the zone was the biggest driver of his 2023 success, as he ranked third among Single-A hitters with 89 walks and a .420 on-base percentage, though he has gotten too passive at times while struggling this year. Using a large leg lift, the left-handed hitter does have some swing-and-miss issues in the strike zone as he worked on his timing, keeping him from being a true plus hitter at this stage. He added some good muscle this past offseason and offers 20-homer upside, but has yet to show he can drive balls with authority on a consistent basis.

A solid runner, Zavala can hold down center field for now with his good instincts. His arm strength may be his best defensive asset and will serve him well if he eventually moves to right field. Lessening his defensive responsibilities would put more pressure on his bat.

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

The Padres added Zavala to their ranks by signing him for $1.2 million out of Venezuela in January 2021 and saw him perform solidly with a .297/.400/.487 line in 55 games in the Dominican Summer League that season. In a sign of just how much it liked the teenager, the organization pushed him even more aggressively last year with a move from the Arizona Complex League to Single-A Lake Elsinore in August. Zavala was the only age-17 position player to appear in Single-A ball, and he held his own in the California League with a .254/.355/.508 slash line and 118 wRC+ over 141 plate appearances.

Starting from an open stance and a high leg kick load, Zavala possesses a smooth left-handed swing and shows promising bat control that helps him find the barrel. While he has been overly aggressive at times, he does take his walks, too, with double-digit free-pass rates at each of his three Minor League stops so far. That advanced approach has served him well in his return to the California League this summer in his age-18 season. Listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, he projects for just average power, but his overall hitting skills should help him get to it with relative ease as he ages.

San Diego officials have identified Zavala’s speed as the skill that might need the most work the closer he gets to the Major Leagues. He tracks down balls well enough in center for now, but he seems more destined for right field, where he made 12 of his 32 starts with Lake Elsinore last summer. That would put a bigger stress on the bat, but early signs are promising enough that Zavala could be at least an average regular in a corner, too.

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

Zavala, along with Daniel Montesino, was one of two promising Venezuelan outfielders to sign for seven figures in the Padres 2020-2021 international class. A 16-year-old at the time, Zavala signed for $1.2 million in January 2021, then turned in a solid professional debut, slashing .297/.400/.487 with 25 extra-base hits and 40 RBIs over 55 games in the Dominican Summer League.

An advanced hitter for his age, Zavala has a smooth left-handed swing that has the Padres optimistic about his future in the batter’s box. While the swing impresses, the approach needs refinement. Zavala, as is sometimes the case with young players, wants to swing early and often. He’s very aggressive and needs to work on his pitch recognition, something expected to come with time. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound teenager is also likely to develop a bit more power as he continues to grow into his frame.

Signed as a centerfielder, Zavala has the tools to play all three outfield positions but may wind up in either corner long term. A quick athlete with a strong arm, he shows good defensive instincts and confidence when tracking balls.

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

One of two lefty-hitting outfielders to sign for seven figures in the Padres’ 2020-21 class, Zavala joins Daniel Montesino as big-time talents out of Venezuela. Zavala, one of the younger players in the entire class, signed for $1.2 million, and the Padres are optimistic about his ceiling.

With a smooth left-handed stroke, Zavala has received comps to his countryman Carlos Gonzalez. He’s an advanced hitter for his age, and his excellent swing mechanics could portend a smooth transition to pro ball. Once Zavala grows into his 6-foot-1 frame, he should develop power too.

Defensively, Zavala might project as a corner outfielder down the road, but the Padres are optimistic he can hang in center field for now. He’s quick and possesses a strong arm, though his routes require a bit of polish. Zavala also has shown leadership qualities and the Padres think his understanding of the game’s nuances– both offensively and defensively – extends well beyond that of a typical 16-year-old.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Baseball America Low Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2023

CAL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

DSL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2021

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/22/2024	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to Chicago White Sox.
	03/14/2024	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to Chicago White Sox Prospects.
	03/14/2024	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to Winston-Salem Dash.
	03/13/2024	Chicago White Sox traded RHP Dylan Cease to San Diego Padres for RHP Drew Thorpe, RHP Jairo Iriarte, OF Samuel Zavala and RHP Steven Wilson.
	03/07/2024	San Diego Padres Prospects activated OF Samuel Zavala.
	03/07/2024	San Diego Padres Prospects activated OF Samuel Zavala.
	02/29/2024	OF Samuel Zavala roster status changed by San Diego Padres.
	02/29/2024	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to San Diego Padres.
	02/29/2024	OF Samuel Zavala roster status changed by San Diego Padres.
	08/21/2023	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from Lake Elsinore Storm.
	08/21/2023	Fort Wayne TinCaps activated OF Samuel Zavala.
	04/03/2023	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from ACL Padres.
	03/11/2023	OF Samuel Zavala roster status changed by San Diego Padres.
	03/11/2023	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to San Diego Padres.
	09/22/2022	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to ACL Padres from Lake Elsinore Storm.
	09/14/2022	Lake Elsinore Storm placed OF Samuel Zavala on the 7-day injured list.
	08/03/2022	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from ACL Padres.
	06/06/2022	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to ACL Padres.
	04/01/2022	OF Samuel Zavala roster status changed by San Diego Padres.
	04/01/2022	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to San Diego Padres.
	06/08/2021	OF Samuel Zavala assigned to DSL Padres.
	01/15/2021	San Diego Padres signed free agent OF Samuel Zavala to a minor league contract.