The Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball have re-signed infielder/outfielder Cory Spangenberg, as first reported by Sponichi in Japan. Spangenberg, a client of Jet Sports Management, spent the 2020 season with the Lions as well — his first year in NPB. The one-year contract guarantees Spangenberg $1.4MM and carries another $400K of available incentives, MLBTR has learned.
The 29-year-old Spangenberg was the No. 10 overall draft pick by the Padres back in 2011 and spent parts of five seasons with the Friars. From 2014-18, he appeared in 387 games and batted .258/.318/.391 through 1278 plate appearances in San Diego. He never quite settled in as an everyday player, topping out at 486 plate appearances in 2017, but Spangenberg was an oft-used utility player, logging significant time at second base, third base and in left field. He signed with the Brewers prior to the 2019 campaign but struggled in a small sample of 102 trips to the plate.
Spangenberg suited up for 111 games with the Lions and turned in a solid .268/.326/.482 batting line this past season. In 445 trips to the plate, Spangenberg connected on 26 doubles, eight triples and 15 long balls, adding a dozen steals in 14 tries while on the bases. He appeared in 75 games in the corner outfield and another 54 at the hot corner, and it’s likely that the Lions will use him in a similar infield/outfield role again in 2021.
tom brunanskys black sock
Would a Queen thank a droid
lolzmets
Would a fool make a self congratulating post? “Hey! Look how non-racist I am! Do I get a cookie?” It never gets old!
tom brunanskys black sock
Only a *Carpathian* would come back to life now and choose New York! Tasty pick, bonehead! If you had brain one in that huge melon on top of your neck, you would be living the sweet life out in Southern California’s beautiful San Fernando Valley!
parts unknown
*carpathian kitten loss*
lolzmets
As always you avoid the call out! But we all remember your embarrassing post on the Puig article. Pathetic!
thekid9
Only during a pandemic would this article get so many responses.
Come on kids, out of the basement mom has cookies for you.
NYYstateofmind
Strike 1
harrystyles
we loooooooooove King Spank <3
Monkey’s Uncle
Saitama Seibu Spangenberg. It just rolls off of the tongue.
geg42
Spagenberg was one pick ahead of George Springer
bbatardo
I remember the Padres drafted him since it was a compensation pick and they were afraid of losing it if the player they drafted didn’t sign. Overall the 2011 draft was pretty stacked.. so many good players taken after Spang besides Springer.
DrDan75
There’s just no way to tell how players at the prospect level are going to pan out. Most of them don’t live up to expectations, some are outright busts, and some become stars.
extreme113
Padres drafted him a spot before Springer – nice going DePodesta.
tom brunanskys black sock
Ah yes, here comes the hindsight constabulary.
lolzmets
Ah yes here comes everyone’s favorite incel. Xabial!
tom brunanskys black sock
You’re nothing but an unstable short-chained molecule!
lolzmets
Still not funny! You’d think maybe once you could be funny on accident! The return of Xabial, here to teach us about racism! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
tom brunanskys black sock
*backs away from lunatic frothing at the mouth*
WeeWoo
Must’ve been a slow day at the Merriam-Webster editorial department for lolzmets. Work never ends for the salt mine workers in his tear ducts.
George hubschman, roto imbeciles
Yes, Spangenberg was drafted a spot ahead of George Springer who’s now looking to cash out at least $100M in free agency. But Spangenberg was a prospect of some renown and did put in his work as a major league utility guy. Maybe it wasn’t to the Padres’ liking but, if I’m alive, one day I’d like to see him spending another summer in the sun here in the states.
harrystyles
he’s sexy
Luc 2
would you smash tho
harrystyles
10000000000000000%, he knows too
RobM
This is the news we’ve all been waiting for.