Up next on Prospect Profiles is switch hitting catcher, 24-year-old Brett Cumberland. Cumberland is the No. 29 ranked prospect in the Orioles farm system, currently playing in Bowie with the Baysox. Cumberland, who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2016, was traded to Baltimore as a part of the Kevin Gausman Deal.
Brett Cumberland is a California kid, who played his college ball at the University of California, Berkeley. Cumberland landed the starting catcher job with the Golden Bears in his freshman year.
Following the 2016 draft, Cumberland spent two years in the Braves system. On July 31, 2018, the Orioles sent starting pitcher Kevin Gausman to Atlanta, receiving Cumberland as part of that trade deal. Cumberland finished out the 2018 season in Bowie.
To start 2019, Brett Cumberland played with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, before being promoted to the Frederick Keys. After 15 games in Frederick, Cumberland made his way back to Bowie. A majority of the season for Cumberland was spent in Bowie, where he played 41 of his 60 total games in 2019.
For a switch hitting catcher, Cumberland posted good numbers from the plate in 2019. His .257 average was accompanied by a good .820 OPS. Cumberland smashed five home runs and netted 25 RBI in those 60 games between Aberdeen, Frederick, and Bowie. On the defensive side, Cumberland showed promise with a 97% fielding percentage, helped out by throwing out 38% of base stealers.
Cumberland will start the 2020 season at age 24, turning 25 in June. Age is not a huge factor for Cumberland, although fans would like to see more progression in 2020. The No. 1 draft pick in 2019, Adley Rutschman, leaves Cumberland’s status a big question mark. We expect Cumberland to start 2020 again in Bowie and hope for an early season promotion.
One thing that benefits Cumberland, is his ability to fill in as the designated hitter and in right field. Playing multiple positions will provide more opportunities for Cumberland, in a system that already has a good amount of catchers and less outfielders and designated hitters.
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