Padres Ink 4th-Round pick Nick Torres; Starts in Eugene

Nick Torres-Mandatory Credit: utsandiego.com

The San Diego Padres signed 4^th-round draft pick Nick Torres, according to a Tweet from mlb.com Padres beat reporter Corey Brock.

Torres’ $406,700 contract was nearly $40,000 below slot.

Torres made his professional debut with the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League, the Padres’ Class A short-season affiliate.  Torres is the fifth top-10 pick from this year’s draft to join the Emeralds’ roster, joining top pick shortstop Trea Turner, 5^th round selection OF Auston Bousfield, and pitchers 7^th rounder Ryan Butler, and 10^th round selection Thomas Dorminy.

In Friday’s game, Torres started in Right Field, and had a double and two RBI in five at-bats.

An outfielder who played college ball at a strong program at Cal Poly, the 6’1”, 220 lb Torres is known for making solid contact.  He hit third for Poly, and led the Big West Conference with 52 RBI in 58 games this season.  His slash line was .322/.372/.483.  He was ranked the 117^th best prospect in this year’s draft by Baseball America.

The Padres have now signed all of their top 10 draft picks.