The Padres announced during their game against the Cubs on Monday night that they had come to terms with first-round draft pick Donovan Tate, agreeing to a deal worth $6.25 million in bonus money. This caps a day in which the Padres managed to sign their 1st, 2nd and 4th round picks, all prep players with college scholarships waiting at major schools. Second-round pick Everett Williams reportedly agreed to a deal worth $775,000, while fourth-round pick Keyvius Sampson agreed to a $600,000 deal.
While all three of these players are likely years away from playing at Petco Park, this day of successful negotiation marks a sea change for a franchise that has looked bare at the top over the past two seasons. The three signings, coupled with the Jake Peavy trade, have infused the San Diego farm system with 5 young power arms and two athletic center fielders in the past 18 days. Regardless of how they pan out, this is a very good night to be a Padres fan, one of their best in years.
UPDATE: The Padres wind up signing 17 of their top 20 draft picks, coming in over their player development budget, and turning around the narrative on what was a frustrating run for Grady Fuson and Bill Gayton. The young players who stumbled or appeared blocked in the system in 2008 are now showing promise, from Kyle Blanks’ light-tower power to Will Venable’s development. Everth Cabrera single-handedly tripled the athleticism up the middle just by showing up at camp. Headley is finally coming together in the second half of this seasons. And between Latos, Richard, and Stauffer, the Padres may have some answers in the rotation.
Previously, the Padres’ system was empty at the triple-A level, as all of their prospects had moved on to the majors. Now, Aaron Poreda is waiting to contribute in 2010, the class of ‘08 is a step closer to the big leagues, and the low minors have a sudden mass infusion of high-end talent. It’s really a stunning reversal.
I interviewed Bob Cluck recently, the longtime San Diegan and current minor league pitching consultant for the Padres. He was angered by people who knock the Padres’ farm system, insisting after multiple trips to all the corners of the low minors that the talent was on the way. Cluck is a firm believer in Fuson and Gayton, and says the results will speak for themselves. If he’s right then Monday’s additions make the future even brighter.
Player development will now take center stage for this organization. Can they develop and polish the stars they have purchased? If so, the Padres may have built themselves a nice little window at the start of the next decade, a window in which they will be young, talented, affordable, and quite possibly contenders.
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