PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres have signed third baseman Mike Olt to a Minor League contract. The deal did not include an invitation to big league Spring Training, and Olt reported to Minor League camp on Thursday.
Once a highly touted prospect, Olt was released by the White Sox on Tuesday. In parts of three big league seasons, he has batted .168/.250/.330 with 16 homers.
Selected in the first round of the 2010 Draft out of UConn, Olt spent parts of four seasons in the Rangers organization. Current Padres general manager A.J. Preller was a part of the front office that drafted him.