yagsy
07-18-2006, 03:23 PM
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20060717-9999-1s17padminor.html
By Tom Krasovic
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
July 17, 2006
The Padres might have done Matt Antonelli's legs a favor when they drafted Antonelli 17th overall last month. Otherwise, the former Wake Forest third baseman likely would be squatting behind home plate every day.
“We were looking to draft him, and we thought he could catch,” said Red Sox Director of Scouting Jason McLeod. “That's what we were going to do: Convert him and stick him behind the plate. He's a tremendous athlete.”
Antonelli wouldn't have complained. He said he would happily play wherever the Padres put him. The Padres are intrigued by Antonelli's potential as a center fielder, but so far, all his games have come at third.
The 21-year-old isn't the only Padres first-round pick of recent years whose catching potential excited another club. Khalil Greene, another athletic infielder from an ACC school, attracted a $250,000 offer from the Cardinals to catch before opting to go to Clemson.
Triple-A
Outfielder Terrmel Sledge has 10 home runs and a .302 average in 162 at-bats for Portland since June 1. General Manager Kevin Towers said Sledge, 29, likely will rejoin the Padres later this year.
Double-A
Mobile, which could be in its final season as a Padres affiliate, is seventh of 10 Southern League teams in win-loss record, ERA and home runs hit.
Single-A
Matt Bush's trip to the disabled list marked the second time in three years that a hamstring injury has put the shortstop on the DL . . . Wake Forest's career leader in walks, Antonelli has 22 in 25 games as a pro. Walks also are a strong suit of two other hitters drafted in the first four rounds, outfielders Cedric Hunter (16 in 18 games) and Kyler Burke (10 in 16 games) . . . Chad Huffman, drafted out of TCU last month, hit four home runs in 18 games for Eugene (Ore.).
By Tom Krasovic
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
July 17, 2006
The Padres might have done Matt Antonelli's legs a favor when they drafted Antonelli 17th overall last month. Otherwise, the former Wake Forest third baseman likely would be squatting behind home plate every day.
“We were looking to draft him, and we thought he could catch,” said Red Sox Director of Scouting Jason McLeod. “That's what we were going to do: Convert him and stick him behind the plate. He's a tremendous athlete.”
Antonelli wouldn't have complained. He said he would happily play wherever the Padres put him. The Padres are intrigued by Antonelli's potential as a center fielder, but so far, all his games have come at third.
The 21-year-old isn't the only Padres first-round pick of recent years whose catching potential excited another club. Khalil Greene, another athletic infielder from an ACC school, attracted a $250,000 offer from the Cardinals to catch before opting to go to Clemson.
Triple-A
Outfielder Terrmel Sledge has 10 home runs and a .302 average in 162 at-bats for Portland since June 1. General Manager Kevin Towers said Sledge, 29, likely will rejoin the Padres later this year.
Double-A
Mobile, which could be in its final season as a Padres affiliate, is seventh of 10 Southern League teams in win-loss record, ERA and home runs hit.
Single-A
Matt Bush's trip to the disabled list marked the second time in three years that a hamstring injury has put the shortstop on the DL . . . Wake Forest's career leader in walks, Antonelli has 22 in 25 games as a pro. Walks also are a strong suit of two other hitters drafted in the first four rounds, outfielders Cedric Hunter (16 in 18 games) and Kyler Burke (10 in 16 games) . . . Chad Huffman, drafted out of TCU last month, hit four home runs in 18 games for Eugene (Ore.).