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"\"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;By Jim Callis&lt;\\/strong&gt;&lt;br \\/&gt;&lt;i&gt;July 28, 2005&lt;\\/i&gt;&lt;\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Unlike most .500 clubs, the Padres have a realistic chance at the postseason because they play in (and lead) the dismal National League West. Trying to protect their first-place standing after losing starting catcher Ramon Hernandez for 3-6 weeks to wrist surgery, San Diego found another backstop on Thursday. The Padres acquired David Ross from the Pirates for Triple-A infielder J.J. Furmaniak.&lt;\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Now joining Robert Fick and Phil Nevin in San Diego&amp;#8217;s catching mix, the 28-year-old Ross is the best defender in that group. He&amp;#8217;s no Gold Glover, but he has thrown out seven of 12 basestealers (58 percent) and 34 percent during his big league career. While he has some pop at the plate, he&amp;#8217;s an undisciplined hitter who strikes out too frequently. He has little speed, typical of a catcher. Sold by the Dodgers to the Pirates in March, Ross has hit .222\\/.263\\/.380 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 108 at-bats this year. A career .211\\/.284\\/.403 hitter with 19 homers and 50 RBIs in 158 games, Ross will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season.&lt;\\/p&gt;\\n&lt;p&gt;Furmaniak, 25, steadily has climbed the minor league ladder since signing as a 22nd-round pick out of Lewis (Ill.) in 2000. Projected as a utilityman, Furmaniak has played mostly third base and shortstop at Triple-A Portland this year, hitting .266\\/.324\\/.437 with 14 homers, 47 RBIs and nine steals in 99 games. He has more power than most middle infielders and a solid arm. His speed, hands and plate discipline are nothing special, but he&amp;#8217;s a versatile player who can help a big league club off the bench.&lt;\\/p&gt;\\n\""^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.baseballamerica.com/news/050728ross/>