The Padres gave a seven-figure (or more) bonus to 10 players during the 2016-17 international period. Patiño was not one of them, signing for $130,000 on July 2, though it wasn’t long before the Colombian right-hander emerged as perhaps the best prospect from San Diego’s class. He was the 2019 California League's (Class A Advanced) youngest pitcher on Opening Day and finished the year in Double-A, earning a promotion after an electric performance in the Futures Game. Patiño received another promotion in '20, this time to the Major Leagues, where, at age 20, he showcased electric stuff while working out of the Padres’ bullpen. After the season, he became the centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s return in the Blake Snell trade that also sent Cole Wilcox, Francisco Mejia and Blake Hunt to the Rays.
Patiño’s velocity has ticked up as he’s gotten stronger, and he sat around 97 mph with his heater while touching 99 mph regularly with the Padres. He throws the pitch with explosive life that nets him swinging strikes both inside and above the zone, and he should miss even more bats as his command improves. A mid-80s slider with late biting action gives Patiño a second plus pitch, and he can also flash plus with an upper-80s changeup when he locates it down in the zone. He threw his two secondary offerings at a nearly equal clip in the Majors, posting above-average whiff rates with both, and hitters generally struggled to square them up.
Patiño confirmed in 2020 that he possesses the stuff needed to pitch in the big leagues. Just how much the right-hander’s control and command improve could dictate his ultimate role, and some evaluators believe he could ticketed for the bullpen long term. On the other hand, the Rays will give Patiño every opportunity to start, viewing him as someone who could flourish under the right guidance, much like some other pitchers acquired by the organization in recent years.
2020 Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55
An undersized, under-the-radar prospect when San Diego signed him for $130,000 during their bank-busting 2016-17 international spending spree, Patiño has rapidly developed into one of the more exciting and promising young hurlers in the Minors. After an eye-opening full-season debut as an 18-year-old in 2018, Patiño broke out in earnest last season to post a 2.57 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 94 2/3 innings between Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore, where was the California League's youngest pitcher on Opening Day, and Double-A Amarillo, where he was more than five years younger than the circuit's average player. Patiño also represented the Padres at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in July and was one of the event's most talked about players after making an electric, high-leverage appearance out of the World team's bullpen. He made his big league debut as a 20-year-old out San Diego’s bullpen during the shortened 2020 season, then became the centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s return in the December Blake Snell trade that also sent Cole Wilcox and Blake Hunt to the Rays.
Patiño weighed a mere 150 pounds when he signed but has since added considerable strength to his wiry athletic frame. His stuff, and especially his velocity, has improved in lockstep with his physical gains, and he operated with a mid-90s fastball while touching 99 mph in 2019, all while holding it deep into his starts. Patiño's lightning-quick arm gives his heater explosive late life, and he imparts natural cutting action without it detracting from his velocity. Patiño's plus slider in the upper 80s is a true swing-and-miss pitch, one that features both tilt and sharp biting action, and scouts believe his changeup will be at least above-average once fully developed. He can land his low-80s curveball for strikes, though it's more of a change-of-pace offering at the moment.
Patiño gives right-handed hitters fits with his fastball-slider combo, and they collectively batted just .163/.259/.220 against him in 2019. That lefties fared far better (.262/.308/.443) speaks to importance of his changeup development, though evaluators do expect the pitch, as well as the young right-hander's overall control, to improve as he continues to refine his delivery and is forced to make adjustment against upper-level hitters. With his blend of youth, athleticism and electric stuff, Patiño is already well on his way toward a future as a No. 2 starter.
2019 Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Patino may not have come with the type of fanfare like the other players signed by the Padres during their 2016-17 international spending spree, but the Colombian right-hander could end up being the best of the bunch. After finishing his 2017 pro debut as a 17-year-old in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Patino made the jump straight to the Class A Midwest League and dominated against older hitters before hitting his workload limit and being shut down for the season late in August.
Patino is both athletic and physically strong for his age, with present feel for throwing and locating four pitches. His quick right arm generates a fastball that's been up to 98 mph and usually sits in the low-to-mid-90s with late life thanks to his extension toward the plate. Patino's power slider in the upper 80s is a swing-and-miss offering, and he also shows aptitude for executing an above-average curveball as well as a changeup that stands to improve as he gains experience. He's consistently around the zone and could have at least above-average command once fully developed.
Patino already shows durability and holds his velocity deep into starts. His delivery and arm action require further refinement like so many young, live-armed hurlers, but he has the requisite athleticism and physical tools needed to make the proper adjustments.
2018 Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Patino looks like yet another promising prospect to emerge from the Padres' 2016-17 international spending spree. Signed out of Columbia, Patino made his pro debut in 2017 in the Dominican Summer League before advancing stateside and thriving in the Rookie-level Arizona League at age 17. The Padres deemed Patino ready for full-season assignment in 2018, and he quickly rewarded the organization with stellar showing as an 18-year-old in the Midwest League.
Patino is both athletic and physically strong for his age, with present feel for throwing and locating four pitches. His quick right arm generates a fastball that's been up to 98 mph and usually sits in the low- to mid-90s with late life thanks to his extension toward the plate. Patino's curveball is a swing-and-miss offering that he throws with good depth and late, top-to-bottom bite, and he also shows aptitude for executing an improving changeup as well as a power slider that he throws in the upper 80s.
Patino already shows durability and will hold his velocity deep into starts. His delivery and arm action require further refinement, but he has the requisite athleticism to make the necessary adjustments.
