The Padres did a couple of things in the offseason that didn’t necessarily go together: (1) traded for Yasmani Grandal from the Reds (among others); and (2) signed Nick Hundley to a contract extension.
Given Grandal’s obvious promise, this seemed to create a bit of a problem. Grandal himself certainly saw that he may be blocked in San Diego, saying “if I don’t make it to the big leagues with this club I can make it with any other team.” Well, he now has a chance to make it with this club:Yasmani Grandal was told after the game tonight that he’s being called up to San Diego. Not sure what the corresponding move is.
— Daniel Berk (@DSBerk) June 1, 2012Hundley has began the season in miserable fashion, hitting .169/.234/.282 in 40 games. In light of that, and in light of Grandal’s numbers in Tucson -- .317/.421/.500 -- you have to figure that, Hundley contract or not, Grandal will be given every chance to win the starting job.