Padres promote prospect Sampson to Triple-A

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres have promoted 22-year-old pitching prospect Keyvius Sampson from Double-A San Antonio to Triple-A Tucson.

Sampson, ranked as the 16th-best prospect in the system by MLB.com, was 10-4 with a 2.26 ERA over 19 games (18 starts) with San Antonio. He allowed 74 hits in 103 1/3 innings, with 110 strikeouts.

Sampson, a fourth-round Draft pick in 2009, began the season with Tucson but struggled there, going 0-1 with an 8.04 ERA in four starts.

Sampson was dominant with the Missions, though, especially after he began using his slider more often and with greater success.

The Padres also sent outfielder Donavan Tate, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 Draft, to short-season Eugene of the Northwest League.

Tate has been working out at the team's temporary Spring Training facility in Arizona since June after missing Spring Training. Tate has battled injuries and substance abuse since he was signed and joined the organization.