June 11, 2007

Job: vice president, scouting and player development

Interview by Tom Krasovic

A graduate of Kearny High, the 50-year-old Fuson last week oversaw his third draft with the Padres. He comments on the draft and the state of the Padres' farm system.
Q: In every draft, there's one player who got away. Who was it?

A: “Michael Main. When our first pick came, Nick Schmidt and Main were both there. We really liked Main, a high school center fielder and pitcher from DeLand, Fla. He can really run. And he's 95 (mph) with the fastball. Some clubs like him as an outfielder and others as a pitcher. We would have taken him as a center fielder.”

Q: There's also one player in every draft that really excites you?

A: “Bradley Chalk (No. 87 overall in the second round). His game could be electric. Every year, we seem to ask ourselves, 'How do we get a legitimate leadoff hitter?' I don't know if he'll develop power, but in college (Clemson) he was an amazing singles, walks, on-base-percentage guy. He could play center field in the major leagues right now. Chalk reminds me of Steve Finley in every aspect except power.”

Q: What about late-round favorites?

Q: What was your biggest disappointment?

A: “Between our first (23rd overall) and second (40th) picks, we lost four guys off our (60-player) board, including Main and a shortstop we liked out of Rutgers named Todd Frazier. We never thought they'd last to 40, but we were hoping one would.”

Q: What was the biggest surprise of this draft?

A: “The way high school pitchers flew off the board. But that was what the draft was deep in. There was a lot of diversity there. High school pitchers came in all shapes and sizes. It was interesting to see the diversity in the run.”

Q: Is there an area of the draft where you wish you had been more active?

A: “It would have been nice to get another Arizona (League)-bound high school pitcher. We picked one high school pitcher (Thomas Toledo in the third round). It would have been nice to have another to go with Toledo. But there's so much you don't know with high school pitchers. It's easier for me to be attracted to college pitchers. They have more of a track record.”

Q. Do you like the draft?

A: “I love the process. A different hotel and flight every day for two months. The impact on the organization.”

Q: During the draft, when you're in that room with Kevin Towers, Gayton and all the members of the scouting staff, is there time for any humor?

A: “It's hard to come up with anything funny that happened. It's intense. There's a lot of pacing, not a lot of laughter.”

A: “No. I consider myself a professional. That's for amateurs.”

Q: On a serious note, among the players drafted the past few years, whom do you expect to be ready for a look next spring?

A: Chase Headley (third baseman Double-A San Antonio, second round, 2005), Cesar Ramos (left-handed pitcher, 35th overall pick in 2005 as a supplemental choice) and Wade Leblanc (left-handed pitcher, drafted in the second round of 2006). I'm not saying they'll stick, but I think they're going to be ready for a serious look.”

A: “I like our eighth-round pick, left-handed pitcher Matt Teague (Carson-Newman College). He's got a good slider and change and works low in the zone. Chief (Scouting Director Bill Gayton) likes Wynn Pelzer (right-handed pitcher taken in the ninth round out of South Carolina).”
Q: Is there a darkhorse in this draft?

A: “If we can sign Christian Colon, he'd be it. He has a chance to be an offensive force at shortstop. His strong commitment to Cal State Fullerton is the only reason why he was there in the 10th round.”