Padres Notebook: Team eyes Weaver with top draft pick

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Saturday, April 17, 2004 11:13 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- There are other names on the board, but the Padres have identified the man they want with the No. 1 pick in the June Amateur Draft.

Right-hander Jered Weaver, the brother of Dodgers starter Jeff Weaver, spun his magic again Friday night, throwing a four-hit shutout against UC Irvine. He's 11-0 with a 1.00 ERA.

In 80 2/3 innings, he has allowed 40 hits, walked 11 and struck out 118.

"I saw him against UCLA (when Weaver blanked the Bruins in Petco Park), and I don't think I'll see him again before Long Beach plays Miami," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "That series (May 27-29) is just before the draft, so that'll be a real good time to get a last look.

"Believe me, though, we know just about everything we need to know about him."

Should Weaver somehow slip, right-handers Jeff Niemann of Rice, Justin Verlander of Old Dominion or Thomas Diamond of New Orleans could jump up.

Right-hander Tim Stauffer, the Padres' No. 1 pick last year, had his second consecutive strong outing at Single-A Lake Elsinore, going six innings Friday against Inland Empire, allowing four hits and striking out three. He didn't walk a batter.

Like all the players on the Padres' draft radar this year, Stauffer was a college pick out of Richmond.

Weather watch

The storm that rolled through San Diego County on Saturday afternoon drenched Petco Park about 1 p.m.

The infield was covered, but there was standing water on the warning track and in the dugouts. Everything was cleaned up in time for batting practice, but it was cold and windy during the game.

"This is like April in Pittsburgh," said Padres right fielder Brian Giles, who came to the Padres in an August trade with the Pirates.

Short hops

Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley said the radar gun readings that are displayed in left field at the ballpark are off by as much as 6 mph. ... The Padres were having trouble with their bullpen phone before the game. ... Padres RF Brian Giles lost a Robbie Alomar fly ball in the lights, the first time an outfielder has lost a ball at the ballpark.

Where are they now?

Several former Padres were in the news this spring and at the start of the season. Here are where some landed:

Catcher Wiki Gonzalez was sent back to the minors by the Mariners early in the spring.

Catcher Tom Wilson, who was waived at the end of spring, signed a minor-league deal with the A's.

Pitcher Brandon Villafuerte was assigned to the minors by the Diamondbacks.

Pitcher Jeremy Fikac was signed to a minor-league contract by the Expos and then was called up to the big club.

Pitcher Kevin Walker, who was waived near the end of camp, was claimed by the Giants, pitched briefly for San Francisco, then was shipped to Triple-A.

Pitcher J.J. Trujillo was traded to the Royals.

Infielder Damian Jackson was waived by the Rockies and claimed by the Cubs.

Outfielder Jason Bay opened the season on the disabled list in Pittsburgh.

Outfielder Bubba Trammel was waived by the Dodgers and claimed by the Devil Rays.

Outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. was waived by the Braves and claimed by the Rangers.

Outfielder Eric Owens was waived by the Mariners.

Infielder Dave Hansen made the Mariners as a utilityman and pitcher Kevin Jarvis is working as a sport starter and in long relief.

Pitcher Brian Tollberg was sent to Triple-A by the Rockies, but is expected to be the first pitcher called up.

Outfielder Brian Hunter, who was traded to the Cardinals at the end of spring training, was sent to Triple-A and has asked to be traded. Reggie Sanders and Ray Lankford are two of the starting outfielders in St. Louis.