Former EvCC slugger Cunningham happy in San Diego

PEORIA, Ariz. — Aaron Cunningham tried not to sound too enthused.

But admits he might have failed.

It was mid-January. Cunningham was driving in Gilbert, Ariz., when he got a call from the Oakland Athletics that they had just traded him to the San Diego Padres, part of a four-player deal.

“I may have sounded too excited,” he said with a laugh.

Two months later, his excitement hasn’t abated. If anything, it’s increased.

The former Everett Community College athlete is sitting in the Padres’ clubhouse before the daily workout begins at spring training. Cunningham is relaxed. And very happy.

Happy to be back in uniform. Especially, this uniform.

“I wanted to be here,” he said of the Padres. “It’s the number one place to be, great city, great surroundings, young team.”

He might also have added: fresh start. He needs it after last season.

The year 2009 was not kind to the 23-year-old outfielder.

He suffered a separated shoulder that forced him off the field for a month. Sustained a concussion from a fastball to the head. And, during winter ball in Venezuela, tore some abdominal muscles requiring surgery.

His body wasn’t the only thing that took a beating. His mind got worked over pretty good, as well. “It was the worst season mentally that I’ve been through,” he said.

Call it an up-and-down season. Literally. The A’s brought him up to the major leagues three times. And he saw the bright lights of Sacramento, home of the A’s Class AAA team, three times.

He had a superb year at Triple A (.302 batting average with 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases). He wishes he could say the same thing about his time in the majors.

When he was called up late in 2008, he got a lot of playing time, batting .250 and driving in 14 runs in 22 games. When he got called up last season, he had 27 fewer at-bats (53 in 23 games) than he did the year before and hit a paltry .151 with one homer and six RBI.

Like any hitter, Cunningham felt he needed consistent at-bats to get his timing down. “I had no rhythm,” he said.

What he did have was frustration. He’s young. He wanted to play. Wanted to show what he could do. Wanted to swing a bat, not just go in late in the game and play defense or pinch run.

“I feel I can produce and be a great player,” he said.

He certainly has produced in the minors. In his first five seasons, he put together a cumulative .309 batting average with 60 home runs and an impressive .382 on-base percentage. He also stole 80 bases in 118 attempts.

Such numbers don’t escape baseball’s upper management. Jed Hoyer was very aware of them. Hoyer is the new Padres general manager after spending the past eight years in the Boston Red Sox front office.

In the trade with the A’s, outfielder Scott Hairston was the veteran player the Padres wanted. He had played for them in 2007, 2008 and part of the 2009 season before being traded to Oakland.

The young player the Padres wanted was Cunningham, who hails from Port Orchard and played one year at Everett CC.

“When I was with the Red Sox, we always liked him as a player,” Hoyer said before a spring training game with the Mariners early this month. “It’s hard to find a right-handed hitter who can hit for power and average and play some defense and he can do that.”

Cunningham is on the Padres’ 40-man roster but whether he’ll make the major league team or start the season at Class AAA Portland remains to be seen. “Long-term, we see him as a starting outfielder,” Hoyer said, which means they might want him to play every day at Portland this season rather than be a reserve outfielder in the big leagues.

Needless to say, Cunningham would like to be in the majors, but he also realizes that he’s young (he turns 24 in April) and could benefit from playing every day in the minors. And, hey, Portland is only 21/2 hours from his hometown and his parents could come and watch him play.

“I’d be very happy at Triple A,” he said. “I like Portland. One of my best friends I grew up with lives there.”

He likes San Diego better, of course. He was so invigorated by the trade that he went down there for a week this winter so he could get the feel of PETCO Park. “It plays to my power,” he said. “I’m a doubles guy.”

He also noted the difference between PETCO and the Oakland Coliseum. “It’s (PETCO) big league,” he said. “Oakland is like 4A.”

Cunningham didn’t have many memorable moments in the big leagues last year, but he did have one moment he’d like to forget. You can check it out on the Padres’ Web site if you click on his name.

It shows a fastball getting away from Minnesota’s Anthony Swarzak and hitting Cunningham on the left side of the head. It shows Cunningham dropping to one knee. If there was a balloon hovering over his head with what was going through his mind, it might be empty.

“They asked if I was OK,” he remembered. “I said ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t know if I was speaking straight English.”

He apparently convinced the A’s trainer that he was recovered enough to remain in the game. “I got to first base and there was a gapper to right-center and I scored. I was glad I hit all the bases. I remember struggling trying to make sharp turns, though.”

With a “huge lump” on the side of his head, he remained overnight in ICU, then took a day off.

And two or three days later, he was sent down to Sacramento.

“I didn’t think much about it,” he said of the head-shot. “Stuff happens.”

Sometimes, good stuff. Like a trade.

“They’re going to give me a solid opportunity,” he said. “I like the vibes I get around here.”

For Aaron Cunningham, it’s hard to hide his excitement.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Jan. 26-Feb. 1

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Voting closes… Continue reading

Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 3

Stanwood, Snohomish, Monroe girls dominate.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.