Paddack gave up one earned run on five hits over four innings in San Diego's 9-3 Cactus League victory over the Angels on Wednesday, striking out six and walking none.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack had never pitched above Double-A before this spring, but he's been dominant thus far in Cactus League play, with his latest sharp effort moving his ERA to 2.13 to go along with a league-leading 20 punchouts over 12.2 innings. Manager Andy Green has been mum to this point on exactly how San Diego's rotation will look to start the season, but Paddack continues to bolster his case for a spot with each strong outing.

Paddack tossed four scoreless innings against the Athletics in Cactus League play on Friday, scattering three hits and striking out seven with no walks in San Diego's 6-5 defeat.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack gave up a pair of runs in 2.2 innings in his last start, but the right-hander bounced back with a sharp outing in this contest, lowering his spring training ERA down to 2.08. If Paddack ends up parlaying his strong spring into a spot in the big-league rotation, manager Andy Green did say the team will be "cognizant of his workload throughout the season" given that the 23-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery two years ago.

Paddack surrendered two runs on four hits and a walk across 2.2 innings Sunday in the Padres' 11-3 exhibition loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack turned heads after giving up an unearned run and striking out four in two innings during his Cactus League debut Feb. 26, but the right-hander had a rougher go of things in his second outing. On the positive side, he still whiffed more than a batter per inning, and only one of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases. Manager Andy Green has previously stated that Paddack has a "good chance" to make the Padres' Opening Day rotation, but the most likely outcome is that the 23-year-old heads to Triple-A El Paso to begin the season.

Manager Andy Green said Paddack has a "good chance" to make the rotation, Bill Center of MLB.com reports. "I think he should go to the mound every day expecting to make the rotation and pitching to make the rotation," the manager said. "If he shows himself as a great option for us, I will be excited about that. What day that is, if that's Opening Day, if it's a while into the season, we'll figure that out as camp unfolds."

EDGE Analysis

Paddack seems more likely to open the season back in the minors, as he has yet to pitch above Double-A, though the Padres are apparently leaving the door open for the 23-year-old to seize an Opening Day rotation spot during camp. He posted an impressive 1.91 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 120:8 K:BB across seven starts (90.0 innings) with Double-A San Antonio in 2018, so if he's able to carry that success into spring, Paddack could break camp with the big club. In his first Cactus League appearance, the youngster allowed one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out four in two innings against the Brewers on Tuesday.

Paddack's contract was purchased by the Padres on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack will be shielded from the Rule 5 draft after being added on to the 40-man roster. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017 but looked healthy last year, posting a 1.91 ERA with 37 punchouts over 37 frames with Double-A San Antonio.

Paddack has been shut down for the remainder of the season, Dennis Lin of The Athletic San Diego reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Padres understandably opted to cap Paddack at 90 innings in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. The 22-year-old looked sharp across 17 starts with High-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio, posting a combined 2.10 ERA, 120:8 K:BB, and 0.82 WHIP. He'll likely report back to San Antonio to start the 2019 season and could push his way to the majors if he keeps on impressing on the farm.

Paddack struck out eight over 5.2 scoreless innings for Double-A San Antonio in its 1-0 win over Corpus Christi on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

After posting an exemplary 2.24 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 52.1 innings with High-A Lake Elsinore earlier this season to earn a promotion, Paddack has nearly cut both marks in half since moving to Double-A, submitting a 1.19 ERA and 0.45 WHIP through his first four outings. The 22-year-old might carry more health risk than most pitching prospects with a Tommy John surgery already on his record, but his eye-popping numbers -- he owns a career 213:19 K:BB in 162.2 innings across five different minor-league stops -- have his stock surging.

Paddack gave up one run while ceding one hit and a walk over six innings for Double-A San Antonio on Saturday. He struck out five and came away with the win in his Texas League debut.

EDGE Analysis

Beyond yielding a solo home run in the second inning, Paddack was unfazed with the upgrade in competition from what he faced at High-A Lake Elsinore, at least for one start. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Paddack doesn't possess high-end velocity, but he makes up for it with a fastball that features deceptive movement and is commanded impeccably. The 22-year-old righty has already amassed 88 strikeouts while issuing only five walks across 58.1 innings this season.

Paddack was moved up to Double-A San Antonio on Thursday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack cruised through the High-A level, posting a 2.24 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 10 starts with Lake Elsinore. In just 52.1 innings, he racked up a remarkable 83:4 K:BB after missing the entire 2017 season due to Tommy John surgery he underwent in August of 2016. Look for him to remain with San Antonio for the rest of this season.

Paddack has supplied a 2.27 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 51:2 K:BB across 31.2 innings for High-A Lake Elsinore this season.

EDGE Analysis

Acquired in 2016 in the deal that sent Fernando Rodney to the Marlins, Paddack has been one of the most dominant arms in the California League and looks like the unquestioned top right-handed pitching prospect in the San Diego system. Blessed with a mid-90s fastball and a devastating changeup, Paddack has overwhelmed opposing hitters over parts of three seasons in the minors, compiling a 161:14 K:BB in 119.1 career innings. While the 22-year-old's raw numbers would imply that he belongs in the top tier of pitching prospects, health concerns have kept Paddack from reaching that stature. Paddack missed the entire 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and there's some fear that his high-effort delivery could make him susceptible to additional arm injuries that would prevent him from fulfilling his considerable upside.