Although the discussed Jason Bartlett trade hasn’t gone through (yet?), the Padres have acquired another player. In the 2010 Rule V draft that took place early Thursday morning, they picked Yankees right-hander George Kontos in the major-league phase (they also lost outfielder Brad Chalk in the Triple-A phase — Pittsburgh took the man who, if only he could play center field and steal bases, would be Jason Tyner).
As for Kontos, sure… why not? With Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica gone, and two more relievers (Adam Russell and Cesar Ramos) reportedly on their way to Tampa Bay, more arms are good. (And we’re still waiting final word on the reported Dustin Moseley signing… Read that sentence again; it’s even funnier the second time.)
Kontos was the Yankees’ fifth round pick (out of Northwestern) in the 2006 draft. He had Tommy John surgery in 2009 and missed a good chunk of this past season. According to a January 2010 profile of Kontos from Yankees Daily, Kontos’ fastball used to run 91-96 mph but now sits in the 88-92 mph range. The slider is is his out pitch, while the changeup needs work… so maybe he’s better suited to the bullpen?
Corey Brock notes that the Padres also grabbed 2B/3B Jacob Blackwood in the Triple-A phase. The 25-year-old Blackwood, originally in the Florida Marlins system, spent 2010 in the independent Northern League. He hit .331/.378/.616 for the Kansas City T-Bones and was named Northern League Player of the Year.
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