SAN DIEGO -- Cory Spangenberg and Colin Rea, a pair of 2011 Padres Draft picks once considered integral pieces in the team's future, have been officially released by the club.
The announcement comes after they were among four players designated for assignment last Tuesday, moves made to clear space for a handful of prospects to be added to the 40-man roster.
As expected, Christian Villanueva was released, too. He's headed to Japan, where his contract rights were sold to the Yomiuri Giants. Allen Cordoba was also designated last week, but the 22-year-old infielder was the only one of the four to remain in the organization. He was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso.
Spangenberg was the Padres' top pick in the 2011 Draft, selected No. 10 overall between the Cubs' Javier Baez and the Astros' George Springer. In parts of five seasons with San Diego, Spangenberg batted .258/.318/.391 with 27 homers while splitting time between second and third base.
But Spangenberg's production dropped sharply in 2018, and his playing time diminished. The Padres' decision to release Spangenberg is a clear sign they're moving toward their infield of the future, with top prospects Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias slated to take over soon.
As for Rea, he posted a 4.69 ERA over two big league seasons but was derailed by 2016 Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old right-hander missed the entire '17 campaign, then he struggled with a shoulder ailment early in '18. After his return, Rea posted a 5.73 ERA in 75 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A but never cracked the big league club.