Sox name Paddy to head Latin America operation

Looking to upgrade their straggling scouting operation in Latin America, the White Sox on Wednesday named Marco Paddy as special assistant to the general manager – international operations.

Paddy, 47, spent the last five seasons as director of Latin America operations with the Toronto Blue Jays. He will oversee Sox scouting in Latin America, with an emphasis on international signings.

The Sox presence in Latin America has been weak in the aftermath of a scandal involving former senior director of player personnel David Wilder, who was fired in 2008 after a Commissioner’s office investigation into whether he skimmed bonus money from players. Wilder pled guilty to one count of mail fraud in the case in February.

While Paddy was with Toronto, the Jays signed pitcher Henderson Alvarez, a two-time All-Star Futures Game participant who made his major-league debut in 2011, and infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, a former member of the Cuban Junior National Team.

Paddy, a native of Panama, spent 14 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, as an area scout from 1993-2002, assistant director of player development in 2002-03 and director of Latin America operations in 2004-06.

Former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause became the Sox director of international scouting in May, 2010. He resigned in April to join the Arizona Diamondbacks as special assistant to executive vice president of scouting and player development Jerry DiPoto.