Scouting grades: Fastball: 80 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
Hailing from the same Mexican League team that produced Luis Urias and Tirso Ornelas, Munoz received a $700,000 bonus in 2015, the largest bonus handed out by the Padres in the 2015-16 international period (before their massive spending spree a year later). Thus far, he's been worth every penny, as he's risen quickly through the Minor League ranks. Munoz burst into national consciousness in the 2017 Arizona Fall League, where, as the circuit's youngest player, he pitched to a 1.04 ERA, allowing just four hits while striking out 11 in 8 2/3 innings. An elbow injury limited Munoz at the outset of the '18 season. But he returned in mid-June as the same flame-throwing right-hander, and he made the jump to Double-A two weeks later.
The epitome of a power reliever, Munoz owns the best fastball in San Diego's system and is one of the hardest throwers in the Minor Leagues. He offered a glimpse at that impressive velocity in the AFL, where he consistently pumped upper-90s heat and was up to 101 mph with a fastball that showed explosive late life. His hard slider in the upper 80s gives Munoz a second dynamic offering, one that's gotten better the more he's thrown it.
The biggest issue with Munoz's continues to be his control. In his 25 appearances in 2018, he allowed more walks (13) than hits (11). Munoz's high-effort delivery and issues in repeating his arm slot mean he's still got work left in front of him. But with even modest improvement on that front, Munoz be on the fast track to becoming a closer in the Major Leagues. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 416 56 6 10.7 87.2 13.7 .215 .380 .268 .299 .384 33.9 30.9 11.3 ALL 416 56 6 10.7 87.2 13.7 .215 .380 .268 .299 .384 33.9 30.9 11.3 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 07/12/2019 San Diego Padres selected the contract of RHP Andres Munoz from Amarillo Sod Poodles. 07/08/2019 RHP Andres Munoz assigned to Amarillo Sod Poodles from El Paso Chihuahuas. 05/21/2019 RHP Andres Munoz assigned to El Paso Chihuahuas from Amarillo Sod Poodles. 06/29/2018 Andres Munoz assigned to San Antonio Missions from Tri-City Dust Devils. 06/14/2018 RHP Andres Munoz assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Fort Wayne TinCaps. 08/29/2017 RHP Andres Munoz assigned to Fort Wayne TinCaps from Tri-City Dust Devils. 06/12/2017 RHP Andres Munoz assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from AZL Padres. 06/20/2016 RHP Andres Munoz assigned to AZL Padres. 07/07/2015 San Diego Padres signed RHP Andres Munoz. 02/23/2015 Guerreros de Oaxaca signed free agent RHP Andres Munoz.
