Ranking The Padres’ Prospects: #13-Cory Spangenberg

From unranked to underappreciated, to nearly cracking the top ten.

Cory Spangenberg is a name that Padres fans need to become familiar with. The Padres like Spangenberg so much that they drafted him with their first pick of the 2011 draft. Since joining the organization, Spangenberg has been a hitting machine; a contact-hitting machine. Contact hitters thrive in Petco Park (See Mark Loretta). He is a career .297 hitter in the minors and is currently hitting .333 Double-A San Antonio.

The organization would probably like Spangenberg to develop more power, which is why he isn’t higher on our list. In his four seasons of minor league baseball, Spangenberg has combined for a total of just 12 home runs, only two of which have come this season.

Spangenberg has the kind of speed that has made some people wonder if he might be better suited for centerfield (a move that he may have to make if he wants to make the team out of camp), but I wonder if he might be better off trying to develop the skill set to play shortstop.

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Spangenberg is best suited in the lead-off role, and could be the spark at the top of the order that the Padres need in their offense.

With the futures of Calros Quentin, Will Venable, Cameron Maybin, and Everth Cabrera in doubt, look for Spangenberg to make the roster out of Spring Training.