News Release

Kurt Wideman Joins San Diego Padres' Organization As Free Agent

(June 22, 2009) -

Joining former teammate Joey Centanni, recent graduate Kurt Wideman (Fallbrook, Calif.) has signed signed with his hometown San Diego Padres as a free agent. Wideman is one of three catchers who will play with the Padres' affiliate Eugene Emeralds in short-season Class A in the Northwest League.

"We're extremely excited that both Kurt and Joey secured jobs playing professional baseball after their successful careers at Pacific," head coach Ed Sprague said.

Wideman had an extremely successful senior year, shattering Pacific's all-time single season doubles mark. He registered 24 two-baggers in 2009, tying for first place in the Big West Conference with Cal State Fullerton's Khris Davis. Kurt finished sixth in the Big West's top-10 sluggers with a stellar .572 slugging percentage and rounded out the top 10 in batting average (.351) and total bases (111). Defensively Wideman recorded one of Pacific's highest fielding percentages with a .987. His phenomenal season helped ensure that Kurt was named to the 2009 Second Team All-Big West Conference list.

Throughout his career, Wideman provided a powerful bat for the Tigers. He finished his senior year as Pacific's No. 3 all-time doubles hitter with 44 in his career. During the last homestand of 2009, Wideman surpassed former Pacific teammate and current player in the Padres' organization, Justin Baum, who finished his collegiate career with 43 doubles.

Wideman is the second Tiger from this year's squad to play professional baseball. Follow Kurt and the Eugene Emeralds here.