Spangenberg back in action as outfielder

SAN DIEGO -- Cory Spangenberg, the No. 10 overall Draft pick by the Padres in 2011, is back on the field after missing more than two months with his second concussion in two years.

Spangenberg recently joined Class A Short-Season Eugene of the Northwest League but will head to Double-A San Antonio on Wednesday.

When he gets there, Spangenberg -- a second baseman -- will have a new position.

Spangenberg, ranked as the Padres' No. 19 prospect, has been playing center field for Eugene, as he continues some of the work he did during Spring Training to add to his versatility. He has five hits in 17 at-bats for Eugene.

"This will maybe give him a little more versatility," said Padres vice president of player development Randy Smith. "He has good instincts out there."

Spangenberg played in 12 games with San Antonio before suffering a concussion. He was only recently cleared to play. He appeared in two games for the team's Arizona League entry before heading to Eugene, where he started his professional career in 2011.

Smith thinks adding the outfield component could help Spangenberg in the future.

"That extra versatility, when you're trying to make it to the big leagues, can help," Smith said.

In parts of four seasons in the Minor Leagues, Spangenberg is hitting .290/.355/.390 with 93 steals in 317 games.

Spangenberg missed six weeks with a concussion in 2012 and then hit a combined .292 last season in two Minor League stops.