new career path

Corey Wimberly, renowned for his speed at Alcorn State, took a sharp turn today in what he hopes is a path to the major leagues. The Colorado Rockies, who drafted Wimberly in 2005, traded him to the Oakland A’s for big league outfielder Matt Murton. Wimberly hasn’t played above the Double-A level but has shown promise. He led the Texas League with 59 stolen bases last season and batted .291. He hit an amazing .462 as a junior at Alcorn and led the Arizona Fall League in batting in 2007. Primarily a second baseman, the 5-foot-8 Wimberly has the athletic skills to play other spots. But defense isn’t his ticket to The Show. That would be his ability to get on base and get in scoring position. Though not a power guy at all, the switch-hitting Wimberly might be a better fit with an American League club. Some have compared him to the Los Angeles Angels’ Chone Figgins. Wimberly is one of a growing number of Mississippi players to keep an eye on this spring. He could become the first Alcorn product to make the majors since pitcher Al Jones, who played for the White Sox from 1983-85.