New Padres general manager Jed Hoyer continued to shape his front office by hiring Jaron Madison as San Diego’s new scouting director. Madison spent the last two seasons as the Cardinals’ assistant scouting director and had served in that capacity in San Diego in 2005 as well. He graduated from Long Beach State in 1998, having played for the Dirtbags’ last College World Series team in ’98. Madison hit .333 for the club that also featured future big leaguers Terrmel Sledge and Mike Gallo.

Madison also coached at his alma mater briefly and then embarked on his scouting career, serving as an area scout in northern California, Nevada and Hawaii for the Pirates for three seasons.

Madison will work directly under Jason McLeod, Boston’s former scouting director. The San Diego native is now the Padres’ assistant GM for scouting, and his post in Boston has yet to be filled officially. However, industry sources have indicated that the Red Sox will promote from within and make McLeod’s former assistant, Amiel Sawdaye, the new scouting director.

College of Southern Nevada catcher Bryce Harper received his GED results in the mail yesterday and "passed with flying colors," according to CSN baseball coach and athletic director Tim Chambers. Passing the GED was required for Harper to play with the Coyotes this spring.

Harper took the test on Nov. 20, Chambers said—adding he wasn’t ever losing sleep over the results.

"I was one of the few people who weren’t worried," Chambers said. "He’s plenty intelligent."

Harper played well for Team USA and during CSN’s fall scrimmages. The Coyotes kick off their schedule in late January and February with some high-profile juco tournaments.

Playing at CSN should make Harper eligible for the 2010 draft, where he would be the top talent in the class.