Chase Headley was the top pick in the San Diego Padres farm system not too long ago, but his natural position of third base was blocked by Kevin Kouzmanoff at the big league level. Kouzmanoff was traded this off-season, allowing Headley to move back in to the infield, but the Padres still have virtually the same situation on their hands.
One of the Padres top current prospects is James Darnell who is, naturally, a third baseman. Darnell has only reached High-A ball, so the Padres don't have to make a decision just yet, but as Corey Brock reports for MLB.com, that decision may be coming soon. Darnell is slated to start the season in Double-A, so he could be just a phone call away from reaching San Diego, but he likely won't make it to Petco until 2011.
