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:
Posted in Sports on Sunday, April 18, 2004 12:00 am Updated: 11:13 pm.
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