Astros crosschecker Post takes new job with Padres

HOUSTON -- Astros national crosschecker David Post, who's been on the front lines of the team's Draft process the last few years, has accepted a job as the special assistant to GM/scouting of the San Diego Padres.

This is the second significant staff addition for Padres general manager A.J. Preller, who was hired in August. He previously hired Don Welke as vice president of scouting operations.

Post was hired by the Astros in 2007 and remained in his job as crosschecker when general manager Jeff Luhnow shook up the scouting department after being hired in December 2011.

Prior to coming to the Astros, Post spent four years as a northwest and Florida area scout for the Marlins. Before his scouting career, Post played 12 years in the Minor Leagues for six organizations, including his last six seasons with Triple-A clubs.

"It's bittersweet even for us, because he's an extremely valuable and well-liked member of our scouting department, and he's had a huge impact on our Draft -- not just since I've been here, but well beyond that," Astros scouting director Mike Elias said. "I think he's one of the better talent evaluators working in scouting today, and it's a big loss for us in that front. But it's a compliment to the work he's done and a compliment to us that the Padres saw him for a position of that magnitude."