Cory Spangenberg

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #7 prospect in 2015
  Spangenberg missed large swaths of the 2012 and 2014 seasons while suffering from concussions and their aftereffects, but he returned to Double-A San Antonio in fine form in the second half of 2014, hitting .343 in 54 games to earn a September callup to San Diego. Drafted 10th overall in 2011 on the basis of his feel to hit (.296 career minor league average) and blazing speed, he added versatility to his game by starting at four positions in 2014. Spangenberg's bat still profiles best at second base, but his rigid infield actions and fringe-average arm make him an imperfect fit. His glove has come a long way in the past two seasons, however, to the point where scouts think he's now playable at the keystone, but he also started games in center field, left field and at third base in 2014. Spangenberg hits from a wide stance, and when he keeps his hips back, he excels at lining the ball to both gaps, while occasionally dropping down a drag bunt. His double-plus speed down the line ensures that he will hit for average so long as he makes enough contact and keeps the ball out of the air. His swing isn't geared for power, so more than a handful of home runs per year would be a surprise. Spangerberg has tools that will play in the big leagues, though he has just enough shortcomings that he might be best suited to a multi-positional role on a contender. For example, he could serve as a lefthanded-hitting complement to second baseman Jedd Gyorko in 2015.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #11 prospect in 2014
  The 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Spangenberg's production tailed off in the second half of 2012 following a concussion he endured when struck in the head by a ball during batting practice. He advanced to Double-A San Antonio at midseason 2013, and he still turns in double-plus run times and has the above-average range to play second base. Scouts, however, don't see eye to eye about his overall potential. Because Spangenberg still is ironing out the finer points of his swing and defensive technique, the most charitable explanation proffered may be that he's a good athlete who's learning to refine his baseball skills. The high Class A Lake Elsinore coaching staff succeeded in getting Spangenberg to tone down his stride and square himself off at the plate in 2013 so that the lefty hitter could pull the inside pitch instead of flicking everything to left field or rolling over for 4-3 groundouts. With a flat swing plane, he won't elevate many pitches for home runs, but he can shoot balls into the gaps. He's an excellent runner and good basestealer who only will get more efficient. Spangenberg worked with San Antonio manager and 10-year big league second sacker Rich Dauer to smooth out his defensive actions at the keystone, touching on the backhand play, the double-play pivot and throwing accuracy. Reports from scouts outside the organization indicate that Spangenberg could be an average defender with a fringe arm. If he hits, he can be a starter at second base. If not, his speed and lefty bat could make him an attractive utility option at second and third base and perhaps in center field.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #7 prospect in 2013
  The 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Spangenberg signed quickly for $1.863 million and ranked as the top position prospect in the short-season Northwest League before zooming to low Class A Fort Wayne, where he hit .381 that August. He broke camp with Lake Elsinore in 2012 and made the California League all-star team, but he suffered a concussion right after the break when struck in the head by a ball during practice. He hit his head on the ground diving for a ball in his first game back, wound up missing six weeks and batted just .224/.303/.267 in the second half. Spangenberg's double-plus speed, bunting skill and ability to use all fields make him difficult to defend. He gets down the first-base line in four seconds flat and can hit the ball hard in different parts of the zone, though he'll need to soften his stride to barrel offspeed pitches more frequently. His swing won't translate into many homers, but he could hit his share of doubles while adding 30-40 extra bases via steals. His raw speed and quick first step give him plus range around the keystone, though he still appears rigid when backhanding balls and charging grounders. Spangenberg hit .345 and recovered some of his timing in a brief Arizona Fall League stint, so the Padres have him penciled in for Double-A San Antonio this year. If Jedd Gyorko can't stick at second base, Spangenberg could man the position for San Diego by mid-2014.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #4 prospect in 2012
  A Pennsylvania prep product, Spangenberg spent his freshman year at Virginia Military Institute before transferring to Indian River (Fla.) JC for 2011. He quickly gained acclaim as one of the best hitters in the draft, went 10th overall and signed four days later for $1.863 million. He ranked as the short-season Northwest League's top position prospect and batted .381 in the final month at Fort Wayne. Spangenberg knows the strike zone, barrels the ball consistently and smokes line drives to all fields. He could be an annual .300 hitter, though he'll have to maintain balance and add loft to his swing to hit for more than fringe-average power. His hips tend to drift when he gets anxious and he sometimes struggles with inside pitches when his stance gets too wide, both easily correctable blemishes. Spangenberg figures to collect his share of infield hits and stolen bases with his plus-plus speed, a true 70 tool on the 20-80 scouting scale. He played third base in junior college but profiles better at second base because of a slinging arm action and below-average present power. He runs well enough to handle center field if the infield doesn't work out. Spangenberg could develop into a lesser version of Dustin Ackley. He'll open his first full season in high Class A and likely finish it at Double-A San Antonio.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #19 prospect in 2012
  Playing his first full year in high Class A, Spangenberg hit a respectable .291/.333/.388 in the first half. After a concussion sidelined him for six weeks, he batted just .224/.303/.267 after the all-star break while struggling to regain his timing and rhythm. Early in the season, Spangenberg tried too much to hit balls the other way and left himself vulnerable to being busted inside. After making some adjustments, he showed he can hit balls hard in different parts of the strike zone. He won't hit many home runs, but he has enough gap power that defenses can't play in too much. Spangenberg isn't the smoothest defender and has a below-average arm, but he has a knack for getting in the right positions to make all the plays at the second base. He's a well above-average runner, capable of getting from home plate to first base in 4.0 seconds. He's a capable bunter and projects as a threat to swipe 40-50 bases annually once he learns the nuances of basestealing.
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  Ranked Northwest League #2 prospect in 2011
  Spangenberg had one of the best pure bats in the 2011 draft and it showed in his debut, when he hit .384 at Eugene and earned a promotion less than a month after arriving. With a smooth lefthanded swing, fine control of the strike zone and uncanny hand-eye coordination, he should continue to hit for high averages. Spangenberg has line-drive power for now but should hit some home runs as he adds some strength and some loft to his swing. He has well-above average speed, which helps him beat out hits and steal bases. A junior college third baseman who moved to second base after signing, he needs work defensively but has an accurate arm and makes the routine play. In addition to his tools, Spangenberg stands out with his passion. Several managers cited his intensity. "His body language and everything just exudes that every pitch is important. He really reminds me of Dustin Pedroia in that he's a gamer," said Eugene manager Pat Murphy, who coached Pedroia at Arizona State. "He's a winner."
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  Ranked Midwest League #13 prospect in 2011
  The only player drafted ahead of Wong to sign more quickly, Spangenberg agreed to terms with the Padres four days after going 10th overall. He tore up the short-season Northwest League in his introduction to pro ball, then batted just .145/.217/.158 in his first four weeks with Fort Wayne. His true talent showed through once he got acclimated, as he hit .381/.431/.504 in his final month. Spangenberg is a natural hitter who barrels balls easily and drills line drives to all fields. His plus-plus speed makes him a threat to beat out groundballs and steal bases. Given his skill at the plate, he might develop average power once he adds more loft to his swing. After Spangenberg played all over the infield as an amateur, San Diego decided to develop him as a second baseman. That's the best fit for his arm slot, because he tends to sling the ball, though he doesn't have classic infield actions. If he can't cut it at second base, he easily runs well enough to move to center field.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #78 prospect in 2012

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Spangenberg signed quickly for $1.863 million and ranked as the top position prospect in the short-season Northwest League before zooming to low Class A Fort Wayne. He broke camp with Lake Elsinore in 2012 and made the California League all-star team, but he suffered a concussion right after the break when struck in the head by a ball during practice. He hit his head on the ground diving for a ball in his first game back and wound up missing six weeks. Scouting Report: Spangenberg's double-plus speed, bunting skill and ability to use all fields make him difficult to defend. He gets down the first-base line in four seconds flat and can hit the ball hard in different parts of the zone, though he'll need to soften his stride to barrel offspeed pitches more frequently. His swing won't translate into many homers, but he could hit his share of doubles while adding 30-40 extra bases via steals. Spangenberg's raw speed and quick first step give him plus range around the keystone, though he still appears rigid when backhanding balls and charging grounders. The Future: Spangenberg hit .345 and recovered some of his timing in a brief Arizona Fall League stint, so the Padres have him penciled in for Double-A this year. If Jedd Gyorko can't stick at second base, Spangenberg could man the position for San Diego by mid-2014.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: A Pennsylvania prep product, Spangenberg spent his freshman year at Virginia Military Institute before transferring to Indian River JC for 2011. He quickly gained acclaim as one of the best hitters in the draft, went 10th overall and signed four days later for $1.863 million. He ranked as the short-season Northwest League's top position prospect and batted .381 in the final month at Fort Wayne. Scouting Report: Spangenberg knows the strike zone, barrels the ball consistently and smokes line drives to all fields. He could be an annual .300 hitter, though he'll have to maintain balance and add loft to his swing to hit for more than fringe-average power. His hips tend to drift when he gets anxious, and he sometimes struggles with inside pitches when his stance gets too wide. Spangenberg figures to collect his share of infield hits and stolen bases with his plus-plus speed, a true 70 tool on the 20-80 scouting scale. He played third base in junior college but profiles better at second base because of a slinging arm action and below-average present power. He runs well enough to handle center field. The Future: Spangenberg could develop into a lesser version of Dustin Ackley. He'll open his first full season in high Class A and likely finish it at Double-A San Antonio.