By John Maffei
June 1st, 2003

SAN DIEGO--The Padres signed their sixth and seventh players from last year's draft Sunday, nailing down righthander Jared Wells from San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College and outfielder Brian Wahlbrink from UC Riverside.

Also Sunday morning, Padres officials opened negotiations with Clemson first baseman Michael Johnson, last year's second-round pick who didn't sign and returned to school as a fifth-year senior. The Padres couldn't talk to Johnson until after Auburn eliminated Clemson from the NCAA regionals. San Diego has until 9 p.m. Monday to sign Johnson or he goes back into the draft.

"We think Wells was the No. 1 pitcher on the No. 1 junior college team in the country," said Padres scouting director Bill Gayton.

Wells, the team's 31st-round draft pick last season out of Tyler (Texas) JC, transferred to San Jacinto this season and led the Gators into the National Junior College Athletic Association title game against Southern Nevada. The Lamar signee's fastball was clocked at 97 mph this season.

Wahlbrink, San Diego's 42nd-round pick last season, had a big season at UC Riverside, hitting .358-12-41. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder also had 19 doubles and scored 58 runs. A leadoff hitter and top-notch defensive center fielder, Wahlbrink has been clocked in a speedy 6.35 over 60 yards.

The Padres couldn't begin talks with Wells and Wahlbrink until their teams were knocked out of postseason play. Both saw their seasons end Saturday.

"We hope to get Johnson signed, too," said Gayton. Johnson hit .338-12-51 this season and finished his four-year career with 58 homers and 213 RBIs. "If we do, it would make last year's draft more complete, really complement what we did last season."

According to Padres general manager Kevin Towers, it would dictate what the team does with the fourth pick in Tuesday's draft.

Towers said if Johnson signs, the Padres would definitely pick a college pitcher first, either Tim Stauffer from Richmond or Kyle Sleeth of Wake Forest. Both are righthanders.

Prior to Sunday, the Padres had signed draft-and-follow players George Kottaras, Danny de la O, Jesus Estrada, Drew Macias and Chad Etheridge.