Maui's Victorino makes Padres' roster

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Maui's own Shane Victorino has made San Diego Padres' 25-man roster as a reserve outfielder.

The 1999 St. Anthony School graduate got the news before yesterday's spring training game from Padres manager Bruce Bochy.

"It's a sigh of relief," Victorino said from Portland, Ore., where the Padres will play their Triple-A affiliate tonight. "It's going to be a great experience."

Victorino, 22, was acquired by the Padres from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft. The Padres had to keep him on the big-league roster or return him to the Dodgers, who took him in the sixth round of the 1999 draft.

Last year, Victorino played at Double-A Jacksonville (Fla.), where he hit .258 with 45 stolen bases. He then hit .330 for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

Victorino said his parents, grandmother and girl friend will fly to San Diego this weekend in time for Monday's home season opener against the defending National League champion San Francisco Giants.

"This is a big jump (from Double A)," said Victorino. "But I'm up to the task."

Big Island-born relief pitcher Brandon Villafuerte also made the Padres team.