The San Diego Padres started their 2007 First-Year Player Draft by signing a 2006 draftee, right-handed pitcher Matthew Latos. A possible first rounder in the 2007 draft, Latos was shown a lot of love by the Padres, earning a $1.25 million signing bonus. Signed just before the signing deadline for 2006 draftees, Padres General Manager Kevin Towers seemed to have made signing Mat, Matt or Matthew (whichever he finally decides on) a priority. The San Diego GM personally flew to Florida to watch Latos pitch in a Community College tournament. Towers, well respected for his ability to judge pitching talent, must have liked something, because Latos was then invited to the Padres clubhouse while on the road in Atlanta. The 19 year-old out of Coconut Creek High School in Florida, then pitched a bullpen session for manager Bud Black and pitching coach Darren Balsley. Maybe all that love and attention drove Latos' initial asking price of over $3 million down to something more manageable and realistic (since most mid first round draftees slot in the $1 to $1.5 million range).By showing the big pitching prospect a little love and attention, the Padres kick started its 2007 draft and signing period. By agreeing to terms with Latos, Towers was able to sign a first-round talent - without using any first-round picks. Last year, the Padres drafted Latos, a 6'5" 205 pound right-handed pitcher in the 11th round. Draft stock slipped for the talented 2005 Aflac All-American and his mid-90's fastball, possibly due to maturity concerns and sign-ability. Following errors or bad breaks, Latos was reported to have made angry gestures and outbursts on the mound. It seemed as if the scouts took notice of the immaturity when things didn't go his way. Ironically, most scouting profiles also lauded Latos' superior mental focus as a pitcher, in addition to his size and power arm.
Latos extended his opportunity to sign with the Padres by forgoing a scholarship to Oklahoma, instead enrolling at Broward County Community College. As a draft-and-follow, Latos went 10-3, sporting a 2.03 ERA and totaling 102 strikeouts in just 75 1/3 innings for Broward (FL). In Matthew Latos, the Padres sign another talented pitcher, joining an organization that currently leads the Major Leagues in ERA.
