Garrett Atkins
| Garrett Atkins | |
|---|---|
 Atkins during his tenure with the Rockies | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born: December 12, 1979 Orange, California | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| debut | |
| August 3, 2003, for the Colorado Rockies | |
| Last appearance | |
| June 25, 2010, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .285 |
| Home runs | 99 |
| Runs batted in | 488 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Garrett Bernard Atkins (born December 12, 1979) is a former American Major League Baseball third baseman. He bats and throws right-handed.
In 2005, his 89 runs batted in led not only the Rockies, but all major league rookies as well. In 2006, Atkins ranked in the top ten of nearly all batting categories in the National League, posting a .329 batting average with 120 runs batted in and 117 runs scored.
Amateur career
High school career
Atkins attended University High School in Irvine, California.[1] As a senior, he was named the Irvine World News All-City MVP, after posting a .557 batting average, along with a school single-season record 13 home runs.
College career
After being drafted by the New York Mets in 1997 out of high school, Atkins elected to attend college instead.[1] He was recruited by Pepperdine, USC, Oklahoma State, Cal State Fullerton and UCLA, choosing the latter. At UCLA, Atkins majored in sociology[2] and became the first three-time All-American.[1] His accomplishments included compiling a 33-game hitting streak. He began as a first baseman before converting to third base, where he made 51 starts in 1998. However, in 1999, his sophomore campaign, Atkins played first base again and led the team in hits. He was a teammate and roommate of Philadelphia Phillies' second baseman Chase Utley,[3] and along with him, was one of only two Bruins to start every game. Atkins was drafted in 2000 out of UCLA by the Colorado Rockies in the fifth round (137th overall).[3] This time, he chose to accept the offer from an MLB club and began the process of reaching the majors.
Professional career
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2008) |
Colorado Rockies
2003-2004
Atkins made his Major League debut in 2003 and hit .159 with 0 home runs and 4 RBIs. He fared better in his second stint in the Major Leagues in 2004 hitting .357 with 1 home run and 8 RBIs.
2005 season
Atkins won the Rockies' 3rd base job in 2005 but was placed on the DL with a strained hamstring before the season started. He returned in April. He finished 4th in the Rookie of the Year voting after a stellar season in which he topped NL rookies with 221 total bases, 31 doubles, 45 walks, and 45 extra-base hits. He also finished the year with a 16-game hitting streak in September. His final stat line was impressive: .287 batting average, 13 homers, and 89 RBIs.
2008 season
In 2008, Atkins spent much of the season playing first base in the absence of injured teammate Todd Helton, marking a defensive transition to "a more natural position for him." [4]
2009 season
Prior to the start of the 2009 season, Atkins accepted a one-year $7 million contract from the Rockies. He struggled in the 2009 season hitting .226 with nine home runs, and 48 RBIs. With the emergence of Ian Stewart Atkins became less of a priority in the Rockies long-term plans, he was thus non-tendered by the Rockies on December 12, 2009, officially making him a free agent.[5]
Baltimore Orioles
2010 season
Atkins agreed to a 1-year, $4 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. The deal included a one-year club option for $8.5 million, with a $500,000 buyout. He was expected to be the starting first baseman.[6]
On June 27, the Orioles designated Atkins for assignment.[7]
On July 6, the Orioles released Atkins.
Pittsburgh Pirates
2011 season
Atkins agreed to a minor league deal with the Pirates on December 23, 2010. It included an invite to spring training. In March 2011, Atkins was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Awards and honors
- 2005 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team; 3B
- National League Rookie of the Month (June 2005)
References
- ^ a b c Troy E. Renck (2007-03-18). "With this sweet swing, hits just keep comin' - The Denver Post". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Q & A with Garrett Atkins". ColoradoRockies.com. 2006-07-24. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b Gerry Fraley (2007-10-05). "The friendship baseball made : rockymountainnews.com". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Thomas Harding (2008-08-18). "Helton's injury leaves void in clubhouse : mlb.com". Retrieved 2008-08-18.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Thomas Harding (2009-12-12). "Rockies part ways with Atkins : mlb.com".
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|couthors=(help) - ^ http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20091222&content_id=7843838&vkey=pr_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal
- ^ Ghiroli, Brittany (2010-06-27). "Orioles designate Atkins for assignment". MLB.com. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | National League Rookie of the Month June 2005 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Topps Rookie All-Star Third Baseman 2005 |
Succeeded by |
- 1979 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Orange, California
- Colorado Rockies players
- Baltimore Orioles players
- Baseball players from California
- Major League Baseball third basemen
- UCLA Bruins baseball players
- Sportspeople from Irvine, California
- Portland Rockies players
- Salem Avalanche players
- Carolina Mudcats players
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox players