The Padres have hired Billy Gasparino as scouting director, a move they announced on Saturday.

Gasparino, 35, had been one of San Diego's two national crosscheckers and had served in that role since the fall of 2010. He began scouting with the Blue Jays in 2004 and crosschecked for Toronto from 2007-10.

"Billy has proven to be a top-flight evaluator with a passion for scouting," Padres GM Josh Byrnes said in a press release. "We are thrilled that we were able to promote from within our organization and to reward Billy with a well-deserved promotion."

Gasparino replaces Jaron Madison, who left to become Cubs scouting director last month.