AA Shortstop Beamer Weems to Minor League DL

One of the Padres’ more underrated prospects has suffered an early-season setback, as Beamer Weems, the shortstop for Double-A San Antonio, is on the disabled list with a strained back.

Weems, 22, lasted just two plate appearances–a walk and an out–before succumbing to the injury.

Weems is one of the best defensive shortstops in the minors, and the Baylor alumnus posted a .401 OBP in High-A ball at age 21 last season, walking as many times (76) as he struck out.

The switch-hitter was an eighth-round pick in 2008, and he’s risen all the way to starting in Double-A in just a year and a half. He’s a career .246/.393/.345 hitter with three homers in 139 career minor league games.

Weems has the look of an Augie Ojeda-esque utility infielder: a plus defender with good plate discipline and a singles-oriented stroke from both sides. Like Ojeda, he’s not a speed burner, but more of an average runner with great instincts both on the bases and on defense.

Hopefully this is just a minor setback for Weems; a strained back doesn’t seem to be too much of a death sentence, although back problems always cause concern (see Chavez, Eric).

Andy Parrino, a poor man’s version of Weems (although two years older), will play short for the Missions until Weems is back.