Top Prospect Watch: Drew Cumberland

Since being drafted in 2007, SS Drew Cumberland has shown flashes of brilliance, hitting for average and speed at Low-A Fort Wayne. But injuries slowed his development, he started off this year in High-A Lake Elsinore and has taken off, sure its a hitters league but "Cumby" is putting up some amazing numbers.
His line so far .371/.410/.546 which includes 13 2B, 4 3B's  and a surprising 7 HR along with 35 RBI's. Andrew has also stolen 20-29 bases, showing his elite top of the order speed. He would be the perfect leadoff man at Petco, he hits for average and has good speed, while Cabrera has played well in his short time here its hard to believe he is the SS of the future. In his two seasons here he has been plagued with injuries, in the case he continues that way Cumberland could step in, take the SS spot and not give it back, that's how good this kid is.

Cumberland spent two years in Fort Wayne, two very succesful ones, with last year's squad winning the league championship. The Padres promoted most of that squad to Lake Elsinore and all they've done is clinch the first half championship with games to spare. All this with top prospect Jaff Decker struggling at the plate. For more on Cumberland here's an interview with Andrew Cumberland with my good friends from So Cal Gold.

Minor League Update

Donavan Tate will join the Arizona Rookie League June 21st.
James Darnell will return to San Antonio this week after being with Fort Wayne this past weekend.
Top minor league club the Lake Elsinore Storm, will send five players to the High A All Star game. SS Drew Cumberland, P Brad Brach, CF Blake Tekotte, RF Dan Robertson and 2B Cole Figueroa.

So Cal Gold's Interview with Top Prospect Jaff Decker

ESPN The Magazine, Padres Yearbook

On the May 31st issue of ESPN The Magazine, the Padres were the subject of the Jock High Yearbook. With Heath Bell being the Yearbook Editor, giving us some insight on player personalities and clubhouse behavior.

Straight from the Magazine
Class Clown- Chris Young - He loves to play pranks and blame it on others. Two things he's known for: putting candy in our shows and posting embarrassing or unflattering pictures of guys on the wall.
Team Flirt- Luke Gregerson - He's got a good body, and he loves to walk around without a shirt. He also rides his skateboard to the ballpark. He's our little Mr. People magazine.
Team Nerd- Tim Stauffer- Is a bullpen guy, so he's supposed to be weird and stupid. But actually he's really smart. He's a big reader and always analyzes everything.
Teacher's Pet- Adrian Gonzalez- He loves our manager Bud Black. He calls him Harry, his real first name, and tells him we should do this or that. Then again, Adrian will probably be a manager someday, so maybe he's just picking Bud's brain about everything.
Party Animal- Now that Jake Peavy's gone, I'll say Mat Latos. He's always coming in with stories about going here or there and doing this or that. He really likes to get it going, so nobody likes to hang out with him.
Next American Idol- Oscar Salazar has a nice voice, but ill go with Jerry Hairston Jr. He may be up there in age, but he's definitely what Idol wants. He's an all around guy, a triple threat: sings, dances and looks good. Here is the scan of the article.

A great article, showing the great chemistry this team has, and the  free spirit of Heath Bell. All credit to ESPN The Magazine for this content.

Padres links

Great people, great blogs
www.gaslampball.com

www.topprospectalert.com
Great minor league blog, with daily stats and links of the Milb