Padres News/Mark Prior embraces new challenge with Padres

The baseball career of Mark Prior has been a long and winding road, full of ups and downs. Being that Prior is a native San Diegan, its only correct that he finds himself employed by the local San Diego Padres.

Mark Prior was named the Minor League Pitching & Development Coordinator for the Padres a few weeks ago. He had previously spent the 2014 season as an assistant in the Padres Baseball Operations dept. His main objective was amateur and pro scouting. He spent many days and nights going over scouting reports for the Padres and their farm system.

Last fall when AJ Preller sat down with Prior, he asked him what he would like to do within the organization. He had spent the last season evaluating talent, so Prior decided to try something different. Working with young pitchers and getting them accustomed to professional baseball would be his decision.

In being the minor league pitching coordinator, Prior will spend many days in uniform working with Padres minor league pitchers.

Mark Prior was once considered a can’t miss prospect, a sure thing. He flashed his brilliance over parts of 5 seasons for the Chicago Cubs, but ultimately his major league career was over at 26 because of arm injuries. Finished his career with a 42-29 record and a 3.51 era. Also an outstanding 757 strikeouts in 657 innings pitched. He was truly a dominant pitcher.

The fact that Prior knows what it was like to be a top prospect bodes well for his ability to teach. Team that with the fact his career was derailed by injuries and you have the great makings of a future coach.

This game we love called baseball will humble you in an instant. Young players need to know that, they need to hear it from someone who had been in their shoes. Mark Prior can help develop young pitchers for the Padres now and into the future. Its obvious the man loves the game, he is just looking for his proper calling. With a hiring like this, the San Diego Padres are building a work ethic and tradition that had been sorely missed for seasons on end.

More from Friars on Base

• Jurickson Profar free agency update likely rules out Padres reunion
• Fernando Tatis Jr. may not take to outfield move after Xander Bogaerts addition
• Padres News: Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors, Seth Lugo chase, Manny Machado
• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster