The Cardinals were down $500,000 during the latest international signing window after having signed Willson Contreras in December 2022, but that didn’t stop them from making a few solid additions, headlined by MLB Pipeline’s No. 25 international prospect Branneli Franco ($800,000). Right behind in bonus money was the Dominican Republic native Padilla, who joined the organization for $760,000. The shortstop, who only turned 17 in June, was a Dominican Summer League All-Star in his first taste of the pros and finished with .287/.391/.404 line, 22 steals and a 121 wRC+ over 35 games.
A switch-hitter, Padilla got a lot more looks from the left side, where he showed a healthy contact rate, and while he showed a good approach as a right-handed batter with more walks (five) than strikeouts (four), he went just 2-for-18 in his limited time against southpaws. That will likely improve as he sees more lefties at the higher levels, but for now, it’s worth monitoring. The power in his 6-foot frame could get to average in time but played primarily to the gaps in the DSL with five doubles, four triples and only one homer.
That works with Padilla’s present game as a player with promising wheels and a willingness to push the envelope on the basepaths. He’s been shortstop-only in his early pro looks, but there’s a possibility he slows down a touch as he matures and has to slide over to third. His plus arm strength would fit the corner position, even if that transition might be years away.
