When I was asked the other day what would happen with Matt Szczur, I said that he’d probably end up clearing waivers and signing with the team of his choice. If he was to be claimed, however, the return would be a pitcher who was likely to serve as little other than organizational depth. So when it was announced that Szczur had indeed been traded to the Padres for right-handed reliever Justin Hancock, I was only mildly surprised.
Drafted by the Padres in the ninth round of the 2011 draft out of Lincoln Trail College, Hancock has matriculated slowly, and perhaps steadily, through San Diego’s system.