MacKenzie Gore

Padres top prospect LHP MacKenzie Gore retired six of the seven batters he faced in Saturday's intrasquad contest.

Fantasy Impact

The only baserunner he allowed was a leadoff walk to Manny Machado. Of course, it's still February and this wasn't a true game setting, but it's exciting to hear Gore pitching well. It's been well documented that he struggled with his command at the alternate training site last summer, which is why the team never called him up despite being in contention all year. "Last year, it was just so different," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said earlier this week. "You're a kid that comes in with a lot of fanfare, and rightfully so. You go to a place where you're there every day, with the same guys. You're facing the same hitters. ... Everybody looks around and expects incredible things, and you know you're not necessarily there yet. I think that impacted him a lot, but I think he's taken it in a positive way and used it to his advantage coming in here."

Padres pitching coach Larry Rothschild says top pitching prospect MacKenzie Gore have been impressing so far in camp.

Fantasy Impact

Specifically, Rothschild notes that Gore's delivery issues from last summer have been "worked out and plus." Reports from the Padres' alternate training site said that Gore's funky deliver fell out of rhythm. Rothschild also notes that the start-and-stop nature of the 2020 season could've played a role in that. Still regarded as the best pitching prospect in all of baseball, Gore will likely make his major league debut at some point this season.

Top prospect MacKenzie Gore is on the roster for the Padres' 40-man postseason bubble.

Fantasy Impact

Gore likely won't get into a game without an injury or two to the Padres' pitching staff. He has yet to make his MLB debut but is widely considered to be one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. At the very least, Gore is a name to know for 2021 drafts.

Padres top prospect MacKenzie Gore is listed on the team’s 2020 player pool list.

Fantasy Impact

Unlike a lot of top prospects who will be on taxi squads this summer, Gore is considered likely to get some major league action. The 21-year-old southpaw posted a 1.69 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP in 101 minor league innings last season. Deploying Gore as an early-season pitching weapon would continue the theme of San Diego aggressively promoting their top prospects in recent years.

MacKenzie Gore pitched a clean inning in Thursday's Cactus League win over Seattle. He allowed no hits, no walks, and did not record a strikeout.

Fantasy Impact

Gore looked sharp in his spring debut with the big club. The delay in him debuting is likely a result of the Padres wanting to limit his workload. In all likelihood, Gore will not break camp with the Padres, but will instead start the season in Double-A.