SAN DIEGO (AP) -Two players from the Dominican Republic were among five players signed by the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, the beginning of the period when 16-year-old international players who will turn 17 prior to the end of 2009 minor league season can commit to big league teams.
Shortstop Alvaro Aristy and right-hander Elvin Tavarez signed along with infielder/outfielder Corey Adamson of Australia, and outfielder Luis Domoromo right-hander Adis Portillo of Venezuela.
“With today’s signings we feel we have secured the best group of international players available,” Randy Smith, San Diego’s director of international scouting, said in a statement. “The recent opening of the club’s state-of-the-art facility in the Dominican Republic along with today’s commitments have changed the perception of the Padres internationally.”
The Padres have signed players from five countries since November, including seven from the Dominican Republic.
Adamson helped the Western Australia Under-16 team to the national championship in January. He also was projected to be a top-10 selection in the Australian Rules Football Draft. His father, Tony, was an inaugural inductee into Australia’s Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
San Diego opened the $8 million, 15-acre Padres Dominican Republic Baseball Park in Najayo, San Cristobal, on April 30.
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