July 28, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The amazing summer of Chadd Hartman continues. After wrapping up his four-year career with UCF, the Windermere native was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 43rd round of the MLB Draft in June. And now just over a month later he already has tasted Triple-A, getting called up to the Portland Beavers July 25 and playing in their doubleheader July 26.
A graduate of Olympia High School, Hartman was assigned to the short-season Class A Eugene Emeralds in Oregon to start off his life in professional ball. In his second game he went 2-for-3 with a homer, then was almost immediately promoted to the full season Class A Fort Wayne Tin Caps in Indiana.
After a pair of games and a base hit with the Tin Caps, Hartman traveled back to Eugene where he combined his two stints to go 12-for-45 for a .267 average in 13 games.
While it may take the majority of players a few years to make it from Class A to Triple-A, Hartman wasted little time and did not have to travel far at all to reach the top of the minor leagues.
Portland made some news when a few of its players came down with the flu and postponed its game July 24. A total of five players were promoted July 25 from different teams within the organization, and Hartman was the only outfielder to receive the call.
Taking on Salt Lake City in a road doubleheader July 26, Hartman served as the designated hitter in both seven-inning games. The Beavers lost game one, 13-6, and the UCF alum went 0-for-3 in his debut. However he came back in the nightcap, a 4-1 Salt Lake City victory, to go 1-for-3 as he posted one of the Beavers' five hits in the loss.
Hartman became one of three UCF players to take his game to the Triple-A ranks this summer. Drew Butera (2003-05) is currently with the Minnesota Twins' affiliate the Rochester Red Wings, and Clay Timpner (2002-04) is suiting up for the San Francisco Giants' affiliate the Fresno Grizzlies.
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