Jeremy Tyler made international headlines when he left San Diego High after his junior season to play abroad with Maccabi Haifi in Isreal.  Now, the 18-year-old has quit his team and is coming home with five weeks remaining in the season.

Tyler was scorned roundly for leaving high school, mostly by people who never had to walk a mile in his shoes.  At the time of his departure, I defended his right to seek a professional career instead of marking time in U.S. History class.

Things did not work out well from the start for Tyler in Isreal, as he languished on the bench with Maccabi Haifa.  A profile in the New York Times painted Tyler as immature, unprepared, and unwilling to work at the level demanded of a professional.  Now he’s back, hoping to work out for a few months before signing with another international team in August.

Sonny Vaccaro helped advise Tyler and his family during his initial signing with Maccabi Haifi.  The hoops guru joined 619 Sports this morning to talk about Tyler’s disappointing departure, but also to defend the concept of skipping the NCAA-bound pipeline in favor of a European approach.

Our provocative discussion is the latest podcast from 619 Sports, you can listen to it after the jump:Download audio file (031910-sonny-vaccaro.mp3)

One of the all-time great Aztecs basketball stars, Michael Cage moved on to a 15-year NBA career and now is a TV analyst for the Clippers and the Mountain West.  He’s watched the Aztecs courtside a number of times this year, and likes their chances to upset Tennessee in today’s first-round NCAA tournament game.

Michael joined 619 Sports this morning and was FIRED UP for the big game.  The rebounding star shared his thoughts on what makes Kawhi Leonard so tough on the glass, why he thought the Aztecs were screwed by the selection committee, and what he’s looking for against the Volunteers.  By the end of the interview I was ready to suit up for the game, Ben Kneller style!  Our conversation is after the jump:

Download audio file (031810-michael-cage.mp3)

Find out more about Michael Cage at his website, mcage44.com.

Can SDSU spring the upset and earn their first-ever NCAA tournament victory?  How do the Aztecs match up with the Volunteers?  And who are the key players on the spot to deliver a win?

Craig and Chris are ready for the Aztecs’ big game with this preview podcast.  Find out why Tennessee’s depth advantage may not matter, how the Vols are a mirror image of the Aztecs, and why we hope D.J. Gay got a good night’s sleep, all after the jump:

Download audio file (031610-aztecs-preview.mp3)

Be sure to follow 619 Sports on Twitter and Facebook for live tweets during the Aztecs’ NCAA tournament games!

The Chargers’ vice-president/COO may not be the most familiar name to San Diego fans, but his behind-the-scenes impact has been unmistakable for the past five years.  Now, Steeg says he’s leaving the team to “pursue other opportunities”.

In their latest podcast, Craig calls in Chris from Peoria, Arizona and Padres spring training to discuss the latest blow to the Bolts in the offseason:

Download audio file (031610-jim-steeg-leaves.mp3)

Saturday, March 13th, 2010.  The greatest day in SDSU sports history?  What about San Diego sports history?

On how many other days could you say that San Diego saw TWO college basketball conference tournament championships, and a North American championship for the Sockers?  Craig and Chris were there to cover it all for you on 619 Sports…here, they discuss the meaning behind such a great day in our town’s history:

Download audio file (031510-a-day-to-cherish.mp3)

The Mountain West Conference tournament is getting started in Las Vegas, and for the San Diego State basketball programs, the only sure path to the Big Dance is to cut down the nets.  Anything less could easily leave the Aztecs on the outside looking in for another year.

Before leaving to cover the MWC tournament for 619 Sports, Chris joins Craig to break down the Aztecs’ slim at-large hopes:

Download audio file (030910-aztecs-bubble.mp3)

On the surface, it seems like a very tame spring training for the San Diego Padres.  Just about every position battle is already decided, you could practically write out the 25-man roster today, and it seems unlikely that Adrian Gonzalez will be traded anytime soon.

But could these calm waters be roiled by future drama?  Is Bud Black being set up for a fall with false expectations?  And might this be the BEST time to move Gonzalez?  Chris and Craig talk Padres baseball in their latest podcast:

Download audio file (030810-padres-spring.mp3)

Craig and Chris take advantage of an SDSU baseball rainout to podcast about the latest round of moves by the Chargers.  Jamal Williams is out (for now, at least), and Kassim Osgood has moved on officially.  Meanwhile, does Darren Sproles’ 1st-and-3rd tender mean the Chargers will keep the running back, or trade him come draft day?

Chris and Chris discuss the uncapped year, and if the Chargers will be able to withstand the losses of so many talented players:

Download audio file (030610-chargers-moves.mp3)

Each year the team at MadFriars.com comes up with a list of the Padres’ Top 20 prospects.  This year, Simon Castro and Jaff Decker head the list of twenty prospects who MadFriars believes will have the greatest potential to impact the future of the Padres organization.

But where’s last year’s #1 pick, Donavan Tate?  And how did last year’s #1 prospect, Cedric Hunter, fall off this year’s list altogether?  After the jump, you can read the MadFriars prospect list.  Below, listen to John Conniff from MadFriars.com as he joins Craig and Chris to break down the Padres’ farm system in a companion podcast:

Download audio file (030410-padres-prospects.mp3)

MadFriars Top 20 for 2010

With Jason McLeod taking over as the head of the San Diego Padres’ scouting and minor league development he will inherit a system that has substantially improved each year since the last change in 2005.

A quick note on the rankings; no player that missed most, if not all, of 2009 or is projected to miss all of 2010 was eligible to be ranked.

The best way to read this ranking, or really any article on this subject, is try to find what the players do well and what they need to improve upon; which can cause them to rise or fall in the future.  As anyone who has followed the Padres’ organization is aware, this could be a very different list next year.

1. Simon Castro, Starting Pitcher/RHP

After Mat Latos, Castro was the best pitching prospect for San Diego in 2009.  The 6’5” Dominican has a big two-seam fastball and his four-seamer touches 94 to 95, but now, as opposed to in years past, he has a much better idea of where it is going along a developing change and slider.  He doesn’t have the velocity or command of Latos yet, but he has improved by leaps and bounds each year.

2 Jaff Decker, OF

A supplemental first round pick in the 2008 draft, Decker,19, finished first in on-base and second in slugging percentages in the Midwest League.  Many scouts have expressed doubts about not only Decker’s ability to become more athletic but to maintain what he has now. Decker is a truly advanced hitter that is a much better all-around player than given credit for.

3 James Darnell, 3b

Another product of the very strong 2008 draft, Darnell destroyed the Midwest and Cal Leagues with a combined fifty-nine extra base hits and a .459 on-base percentage. His defense, particularly the accuracy of his strong arm at third base, is the big negative many see with his game. If he can find a position in the field, he has a true impact bat with plus tools.

4 Cory Luebke, Starting Pitcher, LHP

The 6’4” Luebke relies on a good two-seam fast ball that comes in around 88-92, mixed in with a slider and improving change.  He doesn’t have a true plus pitch but his success at future levels will be determined by his ability to improve his secondary pitches as much as his fastball developed this year. He profiles as a middle of the rotation starter.

5 Logan Forsythe, 3b

After stroking the ball extremely well in the Instructional League, Forsythe followed with an outstanding year in High-A Lake Elsinore.  Promoted in mid-season his power slowed down in the Texas League, particularly at home, hitting .246/.324/.323. A solid all-around player, the only real question is if he can hit enough at third, especially with the competition in front and behind him.

6 Edinson Rincon, 3b

Rincon, 19, may have the highest ceiling of all third basemen after hitting .300/.415/.468 in Eugene. The most impressive aspect of his game is patience, which is not often seen in a young Latin American player. The big downside was 22 errors in 70 games and his ability to stay in the infield moving up.

7 Lance Zawadski, SS/2b/3b

Zawadski took a big step forward showing the potential five-tool talent that the switch-hitter possesses. Eighteen extra-base hits in thirty-six games caught everyone’s attention in the Cal League before being promoted to San Antonio, where he finished among the team leaders in extra-base hits and on-base percentage.  He needs to cut down on his strikeouts and although he has a terrific arm, his footwork and balance must improve.

8 Wynn Pelzer, Starting Pitcher/RHP

Pelzer is the pitcher everyone believes is going to be better than he has shown so far, and so far has been pretty good.  In Lake Elsinore he struck out nearly a batter an inning and had a 147/59 K/BB ratio. He combines a moving two-seam fastball with a wipeout slider.  How fast his change-up can catch up with his other pitches will determine not only how quickly he can make the majors; but whether it will be as a starter or reliever.  Pelzer is hurt by being a bit of a perfectionist, constantly tinkering with his delivery, but his mechanics have improved each season.

9 Aaron Poreda, Starting Pitcher, LHP

At 6’6” and 240 lbs. with a mid-90’s fastball; this is a prospect The problem is he frequently has no clue where the pitch is going and doesn’t have the secondary stuff to pitch effectively on the major league level as a starter. If he can regain command of his fastball along with some basic secondary pitches, he has big time potential. But that is a very big “if”.

10 Adys Portillo, Starting Pitcher, RHP

Only 17, he flashed plus stuff, a mid-90’s fastball, but also caught too much of the plate, which was evident with a 1-9 record and 5.13 ERA. Still it’s important to remember, particularly at his age and level, what he could be capable of in a few years is more important than where he is now.

The Next Ten

11. Rymer Liriano, OF, 12. Everett Williams, OF, 13. Keyvius Sampson, Starting Pitcher, RHP, 14. Jeremy McBryde, Starting Pitcher, RHP, 15. Drew Cumberland, SS, 16. Sawyer Carroll, OF, 17. Jerry Sullivan, Starting Pitcher, RHP, 18. James Needy, Starting Pitcher, RHP, 19. Anthony Bass, Starting Pitcher, RHP, 20. Jonathan Galvez, Shortstop/Second Base.

MadFriars.com is a website that covers the San Diego Padres minor league system with daily game reports, coach and player interviews, commentary from the front office and detailed prospect scouting reports.  MadFriars.com visits all of the minor league affiliates throughout the season and provides two or three new pieces of content daily.

For more information on all of the Top 20 prospects visit MadFriars.com.

LaTorsha and LaDainian Tomlinson after his farewell press conference

LaDainian Tomlinson said farewell to the San Diego Chargers and their fans in a press conference Wednesday afternoon at Maderas Golf Club in Poway.  LT choked up at the end of his opening statement, but seemed at peace about leaving San Diego behind in his quest to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

During nearly a half-hour press conference, LT alternated between reminiscing about his Chargers days and positioning himself for a career he still thinks has up to four more years.  After LT was done, Craig and Chris sat outside the country club to discuss what they had just heard:

Download audio file (022410-lt-presser.mp3)

Click through the jump to watch video from LT’s press conference:

Also From 619 Sports:

LT Released Podcast

Lorenzo Neal On LT: “It’s A Sad Day”

LT: Appreciating A Decade Of Dominance