San Diego Padres Outright RHP Adys Portillo to Double-A

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsSan Diego,CA- The San Diego Padres this morning have outrighted right-hander Adys Portillo to Double-A San Antonio, according to U-T Padres..

The 22-year-old had previously been designated for assignment over the weekend to clear a 40-man roster spot for the recently signed Joaquin Benoit.

Portillo wasn’t expected to remain with the Padres, as most experts expected the young flamethrower to be picked up through waivers last week. Alas, Portillo did clear waivers and now gives the Padres another young power pitcher to their system.

Portillo originally signed with the Padres in 2008, receiving a $2 million dollar amateur signing bonus in a deal that was at the time the largest ever given to a Venezuelan-born player. Portillo has had his ups and downs with the Padres since. Portillo has a 4.86 career ERA over five seasons in the minors and has only thrown 35 innings above A-ball, due to injuries, inconsistency with his secondary pitches and at times his fastball.

Portillo’s breakout season came in 2012 when the Padres originally added him to the 40-man roster after he went 6-6 with a 1.87 ERA over 18 starts and 91 2/3 innings for the Fort Wayne TinCaps in low in 2012. He struck out 81 and walked 45.

Portillo pitched in just three games during an injury-riddled 2013 campaign in low Single-A Fort Wayne. Which allowed many pitchers to pass him in the system, which is what lead to him being designated for assignment last week.

Portillo will likely start the season in Double A San Antonio and depending on how he performs in Spring Training….maybe Triple-A.

If Portillo wishes to remain a stater with the Padres, he must really develop a good secondary pitch to go along with his 94-99mph fastball. Even at that though Portillo must master his fastball command this season, so that even if he doesn’t develop a good enough secondary pitch. He could still be used as a power arm pitcher out of the bullpen.