Padres Make Two More Moves To Trim Roster

The Padres announced after yesterday’s ballgame that 2 more players have been cut from the major league spring training roster.

Here are the moves:

OPTIONED: (on 40-man roster, so optioned to minor leagues)

• Jesse Hahn – Was the “other player” in the Alex Torres trade with the Rays, but in time he may prove to be THE player from that trade.  Big frame, solid mechanics, lively FB, hard breaking ball, very down to Earth personality, and appeared unflappable in is first big league camp.  He did not allow a run in his five spring outings, and opened the eyes of Buddy and the staff.  He will go to AA to continue his development as a starter.  The only thing that may hold him back this year is his innings count, which may be low since he was very much protected the past two years by the Rays as he was coming off TJ surgery.  He will likely reach his limit this year, but still get a lot of development in, and be ready to make his MLB debut likely sometime next season if not sooner.

REASSIGNED TO MINOR LEAGUE CAMP: (not on 40-man roster, so simply reassigned)

• Austin Hedges – Did exactly what was expected by showing that he is defensively advanced as a young catcher, and has loads of confident in himself as a player.  He still has work to do on both sides of the ball.  Defensively it is less mechanical (man he can get rid of the ball quick!), but more just experience and understanding of what he is capable of, and when to try to make the spectacular play versus not taking an unnecessary low chance risk.  With the bat showed once again that he may be a little over matched to start with at the higher levels, but eventually he figures it out, as he swung better towards the end of spring against the higher caliber pitching. He’s progressing just fine, and is unquestionably a high ceiling prospect that will be knocking on the big league door probably not this year but soon.

With these moves there are now 40 active players in camp.  More moves to come over the next few days as the team elves AZ on Wednesday, and the opener is just 6 days away.

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