On this date in 2002, the Padres used the 13th overall pick in the draft to select Clemson shortstop Khalil Greene. He reached the big leagues in 2003 and hit .248/.304/.427 in parts of six seasons with San Diego before being traded to the Cardinals for a pair of minor league relievers (including Luke Gregerson). Let's recap the latest from San Diego…
- Tim Sullivan of The San Diego Union-Tribune notes that the Padres have asked Brad Hawpe to start taking more fly balls in right field, setting the stage for an Anthony Rizzo promotion. The first baseman is hitting .377/.455/.738 with 16 homers in Triple-A after being acquired in the Adrian Gonzalez trade.
- Tom Krasovic of Inside The Padres spoke to GM Jed Hoyer about the clubs's scouting department with the draft coming up. The team had just a dozen full-time amateur scouts when Hoyer took over, the fewest in baseball. They've since added ten more.
- Chris Jenkins of The San Diego Union-Tribune notes that the Padres only have one of their own true first round picks on their 40-man roster. That would be right-hander Tim Stauffer, who went fourth overall in 2003. Click here to see all of San Diego's first round picks.
