Understanding MiLB transactions (non-Astros)

[TenThirty]

Hoping for a little interpretation here from those of you who speak minor leagues development patterns.

I have a family friend who was drafted this year after 4 years in college ball by the Padres (Robert Woodard).  He was assigned to short season A ball and did realtively well in middle relief.  I have been following along through box scores and just realized that at some point, while it looks like he was doing very well (slightly rougher ending to the season) he got called to AAA Portland.  He had two outings, one a perfect 2IP and then a few days later got shellacked, 5ER in 1IP.  He thereafter was sent back to short season A Eugene. 

I'm just curious about moving him that far up and back so quickly.  It looks odd to me - does this sort of thing happen to plug holes on a club because of other call ups?  isn't that a surprisingly large jump to make?  is it likely that they called him because his realative experience (4 years college)?  Woudl you guess, not knowing much about him, that this stint suggests anything about how they view him as a prospect?

If it helps in any quasi-analysis, he is a control type and very consistent.  Not overpowering stuff.  Very mature kid for his age.

[Jacksonian]

Hoping for a little interpretation here from those of you who speak minor leagues development patterns.

I have a family friend who was drafted this year after 4 years in college ball by the Padres (Robert Woodard).  He was assigned to short season A ball and did realtively well in middle relief.  I have been following along through box scores and just realized that at some point, while it looks like he was doing very well (slightly rougher ending to the season) he got called to AAA Portland.  He had two outings, one a perfect 2IP and then a few days later got shellacked, 5ER in 1IP.  He thereafter was sent back to short season A Eugene. 

I'm just curious about moving him that far up and back so quickly.  It looks odd to me - does this sort of thing happen to plug holes on a club because of other call ups?  isn't that a surprisingly large jump to make?  is it likely that they called him because his realative experience (4 years college)?  Woudl you guess, not knowing much about him, that this stint suggests anything about how they view him as a prospect?

If it helps in any quasi-analysis, he is a control type and very consistent.  Not overpowering stuff.  Very mature kid for his age.

Those kind of jumps happen from low-A to AAA to fill holes short-term.  Short season to AAA is a bit rarer.  He no doubt fit some kind of need and being a 4-year college vet probably got him on the list for consideration.  His availability, relative to the others on the list, matters too.  I don't think the promotion means much, but I'd guess they recognize the maturity.  Where he's assigned next year will be more telling.