Five minutes with Cody Overbeck

Playing at: Reading (AA)

Position: First base/DH

Height: 6-1 Weight: 200

Age: 24

Born: June 5, 1986, in Effingham, Ill.

Bats: Right Throws: Right

How obtained: Drafted in the ninth round (No. 286 overall) in 2008

This season: Is hitting .276 and leading the Eastern League (and the Phillies' farm system) with 12 homers and 33 RBI . . . Is also getting some time in leftfield.

Career at a glance: Led the 2008 New York-Penn (A) League in RBI (57) in his first season as a pro . . . He was a 2010 Florida State League (A) All-Star for Clearwater which led to his promotion to Reading . . . Had a combined 24 home runs and 82 RBI last season.

In college: Spent his first two seasons at Ole Miss sitting behind Chris Coghlan, who is now a centerfielder for the Marlins. "He played third ahead of me, so I actually didn't have anywhere to play."

Biggest influence: His father, Donnie. "I had a batting cage in my backyard and whenever I wanted to do something, he was always there," Overbeck said. "Whether it was throw to me or play catch, as far as my baseball career, he had a lot to do with it."

Growing up: Overbeck was born in Illinois, but reared in the small town of Atoka, Tenn., a suburb of Memphis . . . Attended Munford High, which also produced Aaron Fultz, a Phillies reliever in 2005-06 . . . Rooted for the Cardinals and was a big Ozzie Smith fan as a kid.

Hobbies: Plays golf and tennis. Nicest course he's ever played was the TPC at Southwind (Memphis). He calls tennis "very addictive."

Dream foursome: Himself, Ricky Fowler, Tiger Woods and John Daly.

Toughest pitcher ever faced: David Price, the current Rays star, who went to SEC rival Vanderbilt. "He was one of the few pitchers that I was actually pretty certain I was going to make an out when I faced him."

Most memorable athletic moment: Getting drafted.

Favorite sports viewing: Is a big fan of HBO's "Eastbound & Down," a series based on the post-baseball life of a former major league pitcher.

Triviality: The Padres, with the 285th pick in 2008, selected a righthanded pitcher by the name of Kyle Thebeau, who opted to return to Texas A&M instead of signing. Thebeau has not pitched in organized baseball this season.

Best advice: Came from his parents. "It doesn't matter what you do as long as you're a good person," Overbeck said. "Just be a good person."

- Ed Barkowitz