Padres Sign Bridgeport Bluefish INF Cody Overbeck, Assign To Double-A

Infielder Cody Overbeck with join the Padres’ Double-A San Antonio Missions. Mandatory Credit: phoulballz.com

The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Independent Atlantic League announced late Friday evening that infielder Cody Overbeck has been signed by the San Diego Padres. Upon completion of the signing, the team assigned Overbeck to their Double-A affiliate in San Antonio, where he will become a member of the Missions.

Overbeck had been considered one of Bridgeport’s primary run producers, hitting safely in 18 of his past 20 games. Added Bluefish General Manager Ken Shepard:

"I don’t think you (can replace his numbers)…But that’s the bittersweet part of this. You’re glad to see guys like that move on because that’s what the purpose of the league is. But at the same time, you’re just like, `That hurts.” (h/t, Rich Elliot-ctpost.com)"

So far in 2014, Overbeck was hitting .276 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, 14 runs scored, and 10 doubles while playing in 32 contents. He really began to heat up over his past 20 games, hitting .317, while knocking out six of his seven home runs, and driving in 18 runs. The 27-year-old Overbeck can play both corner infield positions. Prior to signing with the Padres, Overbeck had spent six seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. His now former manager, Willie Upshaw had nothing but great things to say about his departing cleanup hitter:

"I liked talking to the kid…He swung like a power guy and that’s what you want in that 4 spot. That’s a good thing, and along with swinging like the power guy he didn’t strike out a whole lot. He really put the ball in play for us real good. And that was a good thing. He was really doing his job real well.”"

With Overbeck’s departure for San Antonio and the Padres organization, he becomes the third member of the Bridgeport Bluefish to sign with a major league organization since the start of the season. The other two members were Julio Rodriguez, who signed with the Chicago Cubs, and Brandon Boggs, who signed with the Atlanta Braves.