June 4, 2013 by Wayne McBrayer & Rebecca Herman
ON THE FARM AT LAKE ELSINORE
~~With Cory Spangenberg, May, 2013~~
Cory Spangenberg attended Abington Heights High School (PA) and led his team to the state championship his senior year. His freshman year of college, Cory attended Virginia Military Institute and was named the 2010 Big South Conference Freshman of the Year … hitting .380 with 11 HR, 49 RBIs, and 24 SB. He then transferred to Indian River College and was named Junior College Player of the Year … batting .477, 5 HRs, and 32 RBIs. He then accepted a scholarship to the University of Miami but entered the MLB Draft in 2011.
The San Diego Padres drafted Spagenberg in the first round as the 10th pick overall. He was placed with the Eugene Emeralds where he hit .384, which prompted an immediate promotion to the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Cory finished off his first season batting .286 with the TinCaps and hitting 2 HRs and notching 24 RBIs.
A collection of Cory Spangenberg pictures from his first years of baseball.
In 2012, the Padres promoted Cory to Lake Elsinore (Class A-Advanced) where he spent the entire season. Cory hit .271 with 1 HR, 40 RBIs, 53 Runs scored, and 27 stolen bases. The Padres decided to have Cory start 2013 again with Lake Elsinore. As of this writing, Cory is hitting .291 with 4 HRs, 28 RBIs, 31 Runs scored, and 16 stolen bases. This second baseman appears to be poised to make the jump to San Antonio in the near future.
Click HERE to access his up-to-date stats.
We had the opportunity to speak with Cory following batting practice on May 10. When asked about his all-time favorite major league player, Cory said, Tony Gwynn. He shared with us that his brother was a big fan of Tony Gwynn and he always wanted to do what his brother did so growing up watching Tony was natural. He said he really liked the way Tony played the game and especially his swing and approach. Cory hasn’t had an opportunity to meet Tony yet – we sure hope Tony might have a chance to reach out to Cory and give him some encouragement.
Wayne McBrayer interviewing Cory Spangenberg
~Photo Courtesy of TheBaseballPHD~
We also asked Cory about his progress thus far and his outlook for the future. He noted that, “You can’t really think about that, it will cloud your head, you just have to go out and play and have fun playing and everything will take care of itself.”
Cory Spangenberg batting for Lake Elsinore Storm, May 25, 2013
~Photo Courtesy of TheBaseballPHD~
Cory Spangenberg playing Second Base for Lake Elsinore Storm, May 25, 2013
~Photo Courtesy of TheBaseballPHD~
It was fun to watch Cory play that night and again on May 25. Not only does he swing a strong bat but he also has a great glove at second base.
The Diamond at Lake Elsinore
~Photo Courtesy of TheBaseballPHD~
Lake Elsinore is a terrific ballpark and a great place to take in some wonderful baseball (see schedule). We highly recommend you take a drive up the I-15 and enjoy a ballgame at The Diamond!
Interview & Story by Wayne McBrayer, TheCasualFan
Research, Editing & Photography by Rebecca Herman, TheBaseballPHD
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