Padres sign INF Jedd Gyorko to contract through 2019 season with club option for 2020 season

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres today announced they have signed infielder Jedd Gyorko to a contract through the 2019 season with a club option for the 2020 season. Executive Vice President/General Manager Josh Byrnes made the announcement. 

"We are happy to sign Jedd and secure the rights to two free agent years," said Byrnes. "Jedd is a homegrown player in his fifth season with the Padres organization and has been a consistent performer every step of the way. He has shown us a real commitment to this organization and to the city of San Diego." 

Gyorko, 25, enjoyed a breakout season during his rookie campaign in 2013, leading the Padres with 23 home runs and 63 RBI while hitting .249 (121-for-486) with 62 runs scored and 26 doubles in 125 games played. His 23 home runs led all Major League rookies in 2013 and were the third-most ever by a rookie second baseman in Major League history. Since RBI became an official statistic in 1920, he became the first rookie second baseman to ever lead his team in RBI and just the second Padres rookie to lead the club along with Padres Hall of Famer Nate Colbert who recorded 66 RBI in 1969.   

Originally signed by the Padres as a second-round selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of West Virginia University, the West Virginia native hit .319 (428-for-1343) with 92 doubles, two triples, 62 home runs, 255 RBI and 234 runs scored in 334 games played over parts of three minor league seasons before selected to the Opening Day roster last season.