“This is a great day for our organization,” said Fuson. “All three players are incredibly talented, bringing youth and an immense ceiling to the Padres. The organization worked tirelessly to acquire these players and it is a tremendous accomplishment to add them to our system.”

“Our scouts have done outstanding work over the last year to put us in position to add these players,” said Gayton. “We have acquired three exceptional athletes with enormous potential. This is a very exciting day for our scouting staff and the entire organization.”

Recommended by Padres scout Ash Lawson, Tate hit .525 with 10 home runs for Cartersville (GA) High School last season. The right-handed hitting centerfielder slugged 1.000 with a .788 on-base percentage, drawing 29 walks with just eight strikeouts. Tate hit 32 home runs over his high school career and was named an Aflac All-American in 2008.

“We have identified a need for athleticism, particularly in the outfield, when playing at PETCO Park,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers. “In signing Donavan Tate, we have acquired an excellent ballplayer and one of the premier athletes available in this year’s draft.”

A two-sport standout athlete in high school, Tate was also a highly recruited football player, seeing time at running back, quarterback, wide receiver and safety during his high school career. Tate made a commitment to attend the University of North Carolina, with plans of playing both baseball and football, before signing with the Padres. A native of Cartersville, Ga., he is the son of former University of Georgia and NFL running back Lars Tate.