Jake Gautreau

The All-American from Tulane has never had the same level of success in the pros and his numbers have deteriorated as the level increased. In fairness, it should be pointed out he suffers with colitis, a disease that makes it difficult to keep his weight and strength up through an entire season. After a sub-par 2003 season at Double-A Mobile, the 14th overall pick in the 2001 draft headed to the Arizona Fall League and failed to do a great deal, hitting .258 with one home run in 18 games. His future, alluded to by Padres' management, may be as a utility player as he's been surpassed by other prospects in the system.

Gautreau, a former college third baseman, compiled a nice first season in the minors at 2B before being diagnosed in mid-August with an inflammatory disease of the large intestine. He went on to post a forgettable .622 OPS in 32 AFL games, but the Padres still view him as a long-term solution at second base. A full season at AAA will help determine this 22-year-old’s timetable.