By Tom Krasovic / UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
When 6-foot-5 Matt Latos met Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, Latos said the 6-foot pitcher appeared “larger than life.”
Latos, in years ahead, might see Hoffman as a potential mentor more than an icon.
“Latos has a chance to be a difference-maker at the major league level, probably as a closer,” said Padres field coordinator Bill Bryk.
Latos, a 2006 draftee who signed for $1.25 million in late May of this year, is a starting pitcher in the rookie-level Northwest League. The 19-year-old, who consistently exceeds 90 mph with his fastball, has struck out 29 against seven walks in 21 innings. His ERA is 3.86.
Notes
![](http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif)
Ohio State's athletic department is known for football and basketball, but former Buckeyes pitcher
Cory Luebke, selected by San Diego in June with a first-round compensation pick, isn't a secret to the Padres or other baseball clubs. “He has three big-league pitches now – fastball, slider, change-up,” Bryk said. “I've heard this from other guys: This guy's a steal.” The 6-foot-4 left-hander is 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA in the Northwest League. He has 15 strikeouts and no walks in 17 innings.
![](http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif)
Second baseman
Matt Antonelli went 17-for-38 (.447) after his promotion to Double-A. He hit three home runs and two doubles, and he had more walks than strikeouts in the 10 games.
![](http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif)
Signed for about $300,000 this summer,
Edinson Rincon, a third baseman, appeared in the Dominican Summer League's All-Star Game yesterday and soon will report to the Arizona Summer League. Just 16 when he signed, Rincon is ahead of the curve for a first-year professional.
![](http://www.signonsandiego.com/images/utbullets/utbullet.gif)
Panamanian speedster
Luis Durango, who scored 29 runs in 29 games with Eugene (Ore.), recently bunted the ball off the third-base bag and outran the defense to get a double. “Durango is the most exciting player in the Northwest League,” Bryk said of the 145-pound center fielder.