Cory Spangenberg was drafted by the Padres in the first round (9th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft.  After quickly signing, Spangenberg began his season with the Eugene Emeralds where he reached base more often than not before receiving a promotion to Fort Wayne.  Spangenberg is preparing himself to head to Arizona this spring with his sights set on returning to the Tincaps to start the 2012 season.  You can also follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

In the last year you went from playing baseball at a Community College in Florida to being taken in the first round of the 2011 Draft, what has this ride been like for you?

It’s been a great ride and I’ve been very fortunate in my journey…I’ve had great coaches, played with some great players, and have had some experiences I will never forget. I’ve learned a lot in the past year and hope to continue enjoying all my experiences.

How would you describe yourself as a player?

I would describe myself as a blue-collar, hard-nose player. I’m a hard worker and play the game as if it was my last with a lot of energy. I also like to have a lot of fun while I’m playing.

What do you see as the strongest part of your game?

I think the strongest part of my game is my hitting. I feel like I can adjust pitch to pitch and have a short memory helping me when things aren’t going as planned. Also, good pitch selection and plate discipline help with my overall offense approach.

Did you know before the draft that teams were interested in playing you at second base? What has the transition been like?

I think every team was planning on moving me over to second base so I had it in my mind I was going to be playing second as a professional. That’s where I played as a freshman at VMI so the transition hasn’t been as difficult. That being said there’s still a lot of work to be done on the defensive side.

What are your goals for the 2012 season?

My goals are to improve on every part of my game. I need to continue becoming a smarter and more mature player. As well as bring a championship ring to whatever team I will be playing for this year.

Thanks again to Cory for chatting with us.  Make sure you follow him on Twitter.