Farlow Changes His Mind, He’ll Join Padres

Cal State Fullerton shortstop Kevin Farlow, who announced last week that he would return to school for his senior season, said he has changed his mind and will sign with the San Diego Padres today.

Farlow, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound junior who was a 15th-round draft pick of the Padres, wasn’t happy with the club’s original signing offer and told Fullerton Coach Larry Cochell he would remain a Titan for one more season.

But after hitting with a wood bat for a week, attending the Padres’ 3-1, 13-inning victory over the Dodgers Friday night, and after the organization increased its signing offer, Farlow decided to turn pro.

Farlow, a former Kennedy High School of Granada Hills and USC infielder, batted .277 with six home runs and 31 runs batted in at Fullerton this past season. He will report Monday to the Padres’ Class-A affiliate in Spokane, Wash.

“My main question was whether I could make the transition from the aluminum bat to the wood bat,” said Farlow, who played two seasons at USC before transferring to Fullerton. “But I hit with a wood bat for a week and it felt pretty good.”

Watching the Padres play the Dodgers Friday night confirmed his decision.

“It doesn’t seem like San Diego is deep as far as shortstops go,” Farlow said. “It seems like I’d have a good opportunity in that organization.”

Farlow, who brought defensive stability to the Titan infield this season, was named to the all-Central Regional team after playing four errorless games and going four for 14 with two doubles. Fullerton won the regional but lost its first two College World Series games.

“I wish him the best,” Cochell said. “He had a great season and I’m glad we had him for a year.”