Brett Cumberland

Position: C
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: Bowie Baysox
League: Eastern League
Born: 06/25/1995 (Age: 28)
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 205
B/T: Both / Right
Acquired: 2nd Rd. (CB Rd. B), 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft (ATL); Traded to BAL 7/31/2018

Prospect Spotlight

Cumberland was part of the prospect package the Orioles received for Kevin Gausman at the 2018 Trade Deadline. Atlanta selected him in the Competitive Balance Round B in 2016. At 5’11’’ and 205 pounds, he’s maxed out physically with a solid and muscular build throughout.

Cumberland’s ability to catch allows a fringy-average overall offensive profile to have the chance for everyday playing time. Couple that with being switch hitter, and he is an intriguing prospect. He is a patient hitter who works counts, but his swing gets long and he won’t shorten up with two strikes. There’s gap power, but he’s more of a contact hitter—which is what makes his inability to recognize spin more concerning. Defensively, he’s a below-average catcher right now who doesn’t block well and has a questionable throwing arm.

Overall, Cumberland’s bat will carry his profile. He has a chance to earn a role as a backup catcher who can spot-start and serve as a bench bat, a switch-hitter who battles at the plate and draws walks. A gritty player, Cumberland is the type that will max out his tools. How impactful the ceiling is will be the question, moreso than his floor. I see him as a future reserve player who brings offense off the bench.