Preller Brought In For Second Interview By Padres

Dec 12, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Texas Rangers assistant general manager A.J. Preller talks during the Rule 5 Draft during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. The Texas Rangers chose Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in the draft. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers assistant GM A.J. Preller will be brought back for a second interview for the Padres GM opening, according to sources from Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News.

If the report is accurate, then Preller will be the first known candidate to be brought back in for a second interview by the Padres brass, possibly emerging him as a favorite for the position. Padres’ ownership has come out and said they are in no rush to hire somebody, considering the severity of the hiring, but this is their first real step in narrowing down their candidates.

Preller, 36, served as the Rangers senior director of player personnel from 2010-2013, and was promoted to the Assistant GM position this offseason. During his time with Texas Preller has had a huge influence on scouting, especially in the International sphere.

Preller still remains a lone candidate amongst a pool of many, including Larry Beinfest (Marlins), Billy Epler (Yankees), Mike Hazen (Red Sox), Logan White (Dodgers), Kim Ng (MLB), and Ray Montgomery (D-Backs) who have interviewed for the position since Josh Byrnes was fired on June 22.

Chairman Ron Fowler does not plan on hiring someone before the July 31 trade deadline, but he may be starting to narrow candidates, and bringing certain in for second interviews, like Preller.

If Preller was hired that would make him tied for the youngest GM in baseball right now, with his current boss, Jon Daniels.