Multiple sources across the web are reporting that former New York Yankees, Montreal Expos, and Texas Rangers pitcher Hideki Irabu was found hung in an apparent suicide earlier today. He was 42. Irabu who was originally purchased by the Padres from the Chiba Lotte Mariners of Japan’s Pacific Coast League refused sign with San Diego and was traded to the New York Yankees where he began his big league career in 1997. Irabu underachieved for most of his career in the states with his best year coming in 1998 when he went 13-9 with a 4.06 ERA for the Yankees. He finished his career going 5-15 over three seasons with the Expos and Rangers before going back to Japan to finish out his career. In 2009 Irabu came back to the states signing with the Long Beach Armada of the Golden League. You can watch his welcoming press conference below. Baseball card collectors will remember the 1997 Hideki Irabu Bowman Chrome Rookie being one of the most sought after rookie cards of the 1990’s when Irabu first hit the major leagues.
The Padres may have a breakout second base prospect in the form of 20 year old Jonathan Galvez. The native of the Dominican Republic is batting .300 with 25 Doubles, 5 Triples, 8 Home Runs, and 60 Rbi’s for High-A Lake Elsinore in the California League. Galvez has also been very effective on the bases stealing 29 in 35 attempts. All of those offensive numbers are career highs, except for Home Runs, he is two off of last year’s total of 10. In the story, Galvez talks about working hard to improve defensive skills (40 errors in 2010) so they match his hitting prowess and the joy his family felt when he originally signed with the Padres.
The San Diego Padres have picked up 2001 8th Overall pick John Van Benschoten off the independent league York Revolution. The former Pirate who has not pitched in the majors since 2008 was 3-2 with a 2.91ERA for York. He was not quite as good in the majors going 2-13 with a 9.20ERA for Pittsburgh in 19 career starts. Van Benschoten talks about the Padres deal, getting a second chance at making the big leagues, and his experience in the Indy Leagues.