OF Luis Durango: Flashes Speed
by MadFriars.com of MadFriars.com, September 17, 2009 at 10:21am ET

Luis Durango Profile

On Wednesday afternoon, the San Diego Padres unveiled their latest speed merchant, outfielder Luis Durango, who was second in the Double-A Texas League with 44 steals.

The 23-year-old, 5-foot-8 Panamanian has sprinter's speed.

"I wouldn't describe that as speed," outfielder Tony Gwynn said of Durango. "That's more like flying."

Said shortstop Everth Cabrera: "I like my speed, but I'd love to have his speed."

Added veteran catcher Henry Blanco: "I relate it to Carl Crawford speed."

In his first major league start Wednesday afternoon, Durango had two bunt singles, a swinging bunt single, a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt. In fact, he bunted in each of his first four major league at-bats.

"That's an exciting weapon he has," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He can flat-out run."



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Luis Durango
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 155
Position: OF

Bats: B
Throws: R
Date of Birth: 04/23/1986
Birthplace: Panama City,
Panama
Experience: R


Biography:
2009

Durango was named a Texas League All-Star and was also named to the Futures Game where he started in center field for the World Team and batted ninth. He fanned on a 2-2 pitch in his first at-bat. After flailing miserably at the first pitch of his second at-bat, Durango laid down a picture perfect push bunt while batting from the right side – beating it out for an infield hit. Durango appeared to be cleanly picked off first but beat the throw to second to snare a stolen base. Durango was, however, caught stealing third base..

Luis Durango hit .281 across 129 games with the San Antonio Missions. He went 128-for-456 with nine doubles, two triples, 78 runs scored and 25 RBI. He posted a .390 on-base percentage with a 81-to-70 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He stole 44 bases in 61 attempts and committed six errors in the field. He hit .200 in 95 at-bats with runners in scoring position and grounded into seven double plays. Durango led the Missions with 19 sacrifice bunts. Durango was second in the Texas League in stolen bases and third in on-base percentage. Durango was tied for the team lead with eight outfield assists. Durango was second in the entire minor leagues in sacrifice bunts. He was also 13th in the entire minor leagues in walks.

2008

Durango hit a team-leading .305 with 102 hits in 334 at-bats with the Fort Wayne Wizards. In 93 games he had 11 doubles, three triples, a homer, 56 runs scored and 25 RBIs. Durango also drew 49 walks compared to 43 strikeouts while stealing 14 bases in 21 attempts.

Durango hit .432 with 31 hits in 72 at-bats with the Lake Elsinore Storm. He collected four doubles, one triple, 20 runs scored, and 10 RBIs. He also drew 13 walks compared to seven strikeouts.

2007

Durango was named the Co-MVP of the Northwest League and was Eugene's lone representative on the postseason All-Star team.

He hit a Northwest League leading .367 with 110 hits in 300 at bats for the Emeralds. His 110 hits set a new franchise record. In 69 games he had six doubles, eight triples, two homers, 32 RBIs and 60 runs scored. He drew 29 walks compared to 32 strikeouts and stole 17 bases in 27 attempts.

2006

For the second year in a row, Luis Durango led his league in batting and on base percentage. Durango hit .378 with 34 hits in 143 at bats over 39 games for the AZL Padres, adding 23 walks while striking out 16 times for a .470 on base percentage to lead the Arizona Rookie League. Durango had two doubles, four triples, 14 RBI's and 35 runs scored while adding 17 stolen bases in 23 attempts.

Durango went 1-for-5 with a run scored in the Championship game.

Notes:

Luis Durango posted a .473 OBP in 192 at-bats in Venezuela in 2005, leading the league in hitting and on base percentage.