Padres Sign First Round Pick Turner and Third Rounder Lemond

North Carolina State’s Trea Turner. Mandatory Credit: bigleaguefutures.net

It was a step in the right direction for the San Diego Padres as they signed first round draft pick shortstop Trea Turner and third round pitcher Zech Lemond to contracts.

Turner was the 13th overall pick in last week’s First-Year Players Draft.  The North Carolina State shortstop signed for $2.9 million and is expected to transition into the Padres’ farm system and add a combination of speed and power. Jim Callis of MLB.com adds, ” Turner has the tools to become a dynamic leadoff hitter with his top-of-the-line speed and his ability to control the strike zone.  The 6’1 171 lbs Turner hit .321 with eight homers and 26 stolen bases.

In addition to Turner, the Padres’ were also able to sign third round pick  Zech Lemond for $600,000. The 6’1 170 lbs right-hander brings another big arm into the farm system. In his three years at Rice University, Lemond posted a 12-3 record with a 1.90 ERA while posting 155 strikeouts in 166 innings.

Padres’ fans should not expect these two make an immediate impact,  but each player definitely adds value and the potential to an organization that is continually grow the farm system.