Never gonna give you up...

Rick Astley really hit it on the head with this one:

That's how I'm feeling about Drew Cumberland.

No...not in a lovey dovey sorta way. Why does that keep coming up?

I mean that I'm not going to give up on the guy. Reports indicate that Cumberland has been cleared to participate in sports after his season-long battle with an inner-ear disorder and post-concussion effects forced him into early retirement, finishing out last season as a coach. 

His retirement was a blow to fans and the organization, as Cumberland was on the fast track to the bigs in an area of need for San Diego.

Now, I've never had an inner-ear disorder, but a good buddy of mine had an inner-ear infection. He explained in gory detail just how god-awful it was. Imagine being drunk...not buzzed...drunk. Fun, right? Except that most of us feel that way for a few hours that night. You wake up with a head-splitting hangover and then move on to feeling fairly good by that next night. Imagine that feeling NEVER GOING AWAY. Stand up. Feel dizzy. Puke. Lay back down. Repeat. Ad infinitum.

I don't imagine he was feeling that terrible. Probably not likely since a summer of that would drive pretty much anyone completely bonkers. All signs point to him having retained his faculties. Still, though, when you start messing with balance issues--body functions most of us take for granted--you've got to start testing the insanity waters and finding them nice and warm.

Coupled with the fact that Cumberland is trying to pursue a dream and attempting to make a living doing something that requires intricate body movements and balance, and he was probably ready to punch a one-way ticket on the Disoriented Express.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to make light of the subject. In fact, just the opposite. Cumberland was quickly becoming one of San Diego's best prospects. He was named to the 2010 All-Star Futures game. In December of that year, he was selected as an MiLB.com Organization All-Star.

Here's his career slash line over four seasons:

.316/.380/.430 (.810 OPS)


In addition to those purty numbers, Cumberland has stolen 62 bases and clubbed 13 3B.


Looking at his advanced stats produces further salivation. His wOBA for 2008-2010 averages out to a .377. His wRC+ over that span was an average of 130, meaning his creating 30% more runs than the average.


His BB% for those years averaged out to a solid 8.3%, but his K% is what's really impressive: 11.3%. Obviously, Cumberland is a prototypical top-of-the-order hitter. Hits for average, gets on base, creates runs, doesn't strike out. Drool ensues.


As far as defense is concerned, Cumberland has come up as a SS, but most scouts (and his numbers agree) feel he projects well as a 2B. His overall range factor is a solid 4.13. Even better...at 2B it is 4.65.

San Diego's system has been praised up and down baseball and looks to be in the top 10..maybe even top 5 this year. The farm system doesn't have the elite status prospects like others, but it's loaded with players who are on track to become major league regulars.

The one area, however, that could use more immediate help is middle infield. Prospects like Beamer Weems, Jonathan Galvez, Jeudy Valdez, and Cory Spangenberg are certainly coming, but not until 2-3 years from now. Cumberland, at the ripe old age of 23, could easily rise to the top of the list and contribute in late 2012 or 2013. 

Never gonna give you up.
Never gonna let you down.
Never gonna run around and desert you.

Here we go...

I hate that I'm turning into Eagles fan on draft day.

But that's increasingly what's happening as I see more and more of Josh Byrnes' moves with the San Diego Padres.

The Kotsay signing was puzzling, albeit understandable, as he's meant to alkalize (got that from the Mrs...she's a pharmacist) the clubhouse. Don't see much else in terms of value there.

Acquiring Baker seemed to me to be a good move as some insurance for Hundley as well as providing a LHB.

The trade for Huston Street also seemed to be a move in the right direction as the position needed someone with experience until the youngsters are ready to take the reigns.

Relievers Cory Burns and Ryan Kelly were picked up in trades. Umm...okay.

Then, these guys get invites to big league camp: Matt Palmer, Alex Hinshaw, Dale Thayer, and Jeremy Hermida. Looking for serious diamonds here.

To this point, I really didn't have too much of an opinion of Byrnes. These moves all seemed typical when it comes to filling out the roster.

Then, the Latos trade came down, and my head started to get all itchy. We got a(nother) catcher. A(nother) reliever. A(nother) first baseman. Hmm...is it just me, or will it be tough to win with just catchers, relievers, and first basemen?

Quentin was next, which seemed golden at first, but might end up being average. Coupled with the fact that the word on the tweet is that Quentin is targeted for LF, and that means Blanks has been relegated to homeless hobo status.

Now, it's Rizzo. I have officially become Eagles Fan. BOOOOOO! HISSSSSSSS! AWWWWWRRRRGGGHHHH! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! MY GOD, I COULD DO A BETTER JOB MANAGING THIS TEAM FROM MY LAPTOP!

So, we wind up with Cashner. Let's face it, he's the only player in the deal for San Diego. GM's must dig triple digits like chicks dig the long ball. Just because he lights up the radar doesn't mean he's a power arm. I know...we have the Pitching Wonder Twins in Black and Balsley. We also have the Petco Cave. It's the perfect storm for a pitcher. But we also get a guy who can't find the zone with his power arm...oh...and he's got shoulder problems to boot. Fantastic.

Then, you really have to look at the Adrian Gonzalez deal a whole lot differently now. Boston now has one of the best players in all of baseball. What did San Diego net from that deal? Rizzo (the heir apparent) is gone, Kelly's stock has fallen, and Fuentes may not have the stick to stick on a big league roster. Hosed is a word that comes to mind.

Now, maybe Rizzo isn't the next Joey Votto, and maybe Cashner becomes a great 8th inning guy and then moves up into a dominant starter. That would help restore my faith in the direction of the club, no doubt. Only time will tell there.

I certainly hope we see those types of results. But from the bleachers, at this point, I can't help but feel the heckling welling up within me. Must. Not. Succumb. YOU SUCK!

(Many apologies for that final word. Inner Eagles Fan was too much to stifle.)

   

Player Spotlight

I love Daniel Robertson. 


Not love in an agape type of way. I don't worship the guy.


Not love in a philos way. I don't know him from Adam. We aren't homies or buddies or anything of the sort.


And I certainly don't love him in an eros type of way. That's just...gross. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."


I think it's love in a hyperbole sort of way. It's an exaggerated like or favoring. Roberston is the type of player that any fan can get behind. He reminds me of how I played the game as a kid and in college. He leaves it all on the field, gives it 110%, squeezes out every drop of talent in him, goes all in, is just happy to be there and just hopes he can help the ball club...or any number of other sports colloquialisms.


The one label I'll use to describe him, though, is probably a dubious one: scrappy. This video should give you a good idea of what I'm talking about:

  
Seriously, though, to be called scrappy is almost a back-handed compliment. As if you're not talented enough to make it on your own. As if you, by some miracle, are playing above your potential. They say a scrappy guy gets the most out of what he's given. But it's more like he's just lucky or had the ball bounce his way. Unfortunately, that's the hidden meaning behind the label.


But what does it mean to be scrappy, in reality? To me, it's a guy who doesn't stop working. A guy who makes every pitch and every play count. A guy who's focused, who hustles, and who isn't afraid to sacrifice himself for the play. A guy who puts his teammates first. The guy who gets to the ballpark before everyone else and who is one of the last to leave. Someone who doesn't take the game or his ability for granted. A nose to the grindstone work ethic that  translates to success on the field.


I believe the guy I'm talking about here is Daniel Robertson. Granted, he's only played four seasons of minor league ball. Granted, I've never seen the guy play, but I have listened to his games and have paid attention to what the announcers say about him, and I think most of what I posted above applies...if not all of it.


Then, there's the career MiLB numbers: .309/.387/.421 (.808 OPS). In four seasons, he's amassed 526H, 94 2B, 20 3B, 90 SB. He set the single season record for hits in the Northwest League in 2008 with 114. In 2010, he led all Padres minor leaguers with 160 hits and 95 runs. Just this past season, Robertson hit for the cycle against Midland. He finished that game with the four hits and six RBI.


He's no defensive slouch, either. In 2008, the led the Northwest League in outfield assists with 12. Over four seasons and 842 chances, he's committed 21 errors while accruing 60 assists.  


Impressive resume, to be sure, but Robertson won't show up on any of the prospect lists. Why? It seems there are two reasons...his size and his age. Robertson stands a mere 5'8" and weighs 175 lbs. He's also 26. In this day and age, a player's frame has to be large, and their age has to be small. I get that...on some levels, but when a guy has talent, who cares? Talent plays.


There's a guy by the name of David Eckstein who made a career out of being scrappy. He also won plenty of awards, including a World Series MVP. It's sad that his name is used as a punchline at times. He deserves more respect than that, and so does Robertson.


Of course, maybe Robertson likes it that way. Maybe he doesn't need the fanfare. Most gamers don't. They let their game take care of itself. I don't know. Like I said, I don't know the guy, but I love him. I'm hoping he'll get his due.