Padres Editorial: What is Spangenberg’s Future?
Cory Spangenberg has been a valuable piece to the San Diego Padres since his debut in 2014. Most memorably being his walk-off home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 2nd 2014, off the submarine throwing Brad Ziegler.
Not known for his power, Spangenberg is known for his speed on the bases and his ability to get the bat on the ball. He hit four home runs and totaled a .733 OPS in 108 games last season. Spangenberg also tallied nine stolen bases and drove in 21 runs. Cory Spangenberg has much potential to be a starting infielder in the near future… if not now. The question is what will the Padres do?
Spangenberg’s progress to the Major Leagues has been a sight to see. Watching this young kid transform into a future star baseball player is a joy to see. Cory’s role on the Padres has yet to be determined, but only time will tell where the Padres will use his talent. Because his arm is not necessarily great, he fits very well at second base. From the speed on the field to the aggressive swing at the plate, Cory is an all around player. Jedd Gyorko and he are penciled in at the position right now, but Spangenberg can play third base and shortstop as well.
The Padres have had a hole at the short-stop position since the start of the 2015 season. Adding Clint Barmes seemed to be a smart move, but Preller had seen not a lot of production from the platoon of Alexi Amarista and Barmes.
The team decided to decline the club option of Barmes and save the money for free agency. Could Cory Spangenberg fill this hole? He was never given a shot in 2015. This question might take a little while to be answered, but it is always nice to have a player who can do his job at nearly any position. It still remains to be seen if Spangenberg can play shortstop, even in a backup role.
Cory Spangenberg was drafted 10th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft, Out of Indiana River State College. Cory was highly recruited to become baseball’s next big star. Power was never an attribute to his scouting report, but as we have seen this past season, those numbers have slowly accelerated along with many other stats of its kind.
Not only have the power numbers gone up, but Spangenberg’s batting average has also gone up. Spangenberg has been a highly valuable asset to this team. Could Cory possibly spark an overdue 2016 playoff appearance for the Padres?
The Padres have not made the playoffs since 2006 and A.J. Preller is doing his part to help this ball club achieve their goal. Will the players and coaches do their part as well? Newly added manager Andy Green has made it clear he wants to win. This team needs a winning mentality and with the help of players like Cory Spangenberg the team cam become a successful ball club. If the Padres can reach these guidelines, then the potential is limitless. There are a lot of unanswered questions and where Spangenberg fits with the team is one.
I write, I write, and then I write some more.. Lifelong Padres & Chargers fan who is tired of the acceptance of losing that grips all of San Diego sports fans!
He should be the starting 2B in 2016 for the Padres and beyond; he brings a set of tools of speed, contact that not much players on the Padres roster have.