The Padres have selected Michael Wing in the minor league Rule Five Draft. Wing is a very versatile player who has played third base (152 games), shortstop (75 games), second base (58 games), first base (six games) and right field (one game) over five MiLB seasons. The 6′-1″, 180 lb Wing, 23, bats and throws right and was drafted in 2007 (26th round) by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim out of Uplan High School.
Over five minor-league seasons, he shown promise offensively with a minor league career slash line of .300/.363/.465. While he is not a prototypical power threat by any means, he did start to show more pop in 2010, hitting .287/.353/.449 with 16 doubles, four triples and eight homers. Wing has filled out some, and he continued to improve in 2011, albeit in the hitter friendly Cal-League, hitting .317/.365/.502 with 17 doubles, two triples and 11 homers. According to former Angels scouting director Eddie Bane, Wing had one of the best throwing arms in the Angels organization. While Wing is only organizational depth for now, given the Padres need for middle-infield help and a revolving door during an uncertain transition year, this seems to be a solid pick up for the Padres.
Projection: Utility Infielder.
It should be noted that during the major league selection of the Rule Five Draft , the Padres did not lose any of their unprotected players, including top prospect Drew Cumberland, who was just recently given the green light to resume his professional baseball career. Cumberland had not played professional baseball since July 15, 2010, due to a rare neurological disorder, so a team drafting him and being able to keep him on the MLB roster the entire year was unlikely. The Padres have a full 40-man roster which meant they were not going to draft anyone, but the win today is what didn’t happen: a team drafting newly instated Cumberland.
A former top prospect who came over in the Jake Peavy deal, Aaron Poreda, was selected in the minor league portion of the draft by the Pirates. Poreda has had control problems and has had a drop in velocity.
