OFF TO CAMP
Former La Cueva and UNM standout has an invite to spring training
Jordan Pacheco hopes his experience pays off in his audition with the Reds.
Versatility has always been part of Jordan Pacheco’s game, but he’ll bring another asset to spring training this year: veteran experience.
Pacheco, who recently celebrated his 30th birthday, also signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in January. The deal includes an invitation to the Reds’ big-league training camp, which begins later this month in Goodyear, Ariz.
It’s a convenient location for Pacheco, an Albuquerque native who now makes his home in Tempe.
“It’s kind of like driving from Albuquerque to Santa Fe,” he said, “and that does play into which team you sign with. We bought a house in Tempe and having camp here means I can spend six months at home instead of three.”
More important than proximity is opportunity. The Reds organization is relatively short on veteran players, particularly infielders, which gives Pacheco a solid chance to secure a roster spot.
Pacheco spent an up-anddown 2015 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization that included a stint at Triple-A Reno. The former La Cueva High and University of New Mexico standout became a free agent at season’s end and spent some time weighing options before signing with Cincinnati.
“There were three or four teams interested,” Pacheco said, “and that’s what you want, genuine interest. The Reds are a young team and they may want somebody who’s played a little bit, especially someone who can hit. I’ll go to camp, show them what I can do. Hopefully, it works out.”
Pacheco, who was drafted out of UNM by the Colorado Rockies in 2007, spent parts of four seasons with Colorado’s big-league club from 2011-14. His best season was 2012, when he hit .309 in 132 games., but his playing time decreased the following two seasons. Pacheco was designated for assignment in 2014 and claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks. He signed a free agent contract with Arizona last season.
The 2007 Mountain West Player of the Year has played numerous positions (primarily infield and catcher) at the Major League level. It’s a good-news, bad-news scenario as he has been unable to nail down an everyday spot but has earned a reputation as a useful utility player.
Pacheco said he’s willing to play whatever position(s) his new organization prefers, and he’ll report with pitchers and catchers on Feb. 18. He has appeared in 346 major league games — more than any other UNM alum — and is a career .278 hitter with 10 homers and 114 RBIs.
Though he now lives in Arizona, Pacheco maintains New Mexico ties. His parents live in Albuquerque and he spent several days in town last week, working out at UNM’s Lobo Field. He also keeps in contact with a number of ex-Lobos and New Mexicans who are playing pro baseball.
“There’s getting to be quite a few these days,” he said. “It’s good to see that club keep growing.”