Chris Nelson (baseball)
Chris Nelson | |
---|---|
Infielder | |
Born: Escondido, California, U.S. | September 3, 1985|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
June 19, 2010, for the Colorado Rockies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 29, 2014, for the San Diego Padres | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .265 |
Home runs | 16 |
Runs batted in | 100 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Christopher Lars Nelson (born September 3, 1985) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies from 2010 through 2013, New York Yankees in 2013, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2013 and the San Diego Padres in 2014.
High school
Nelson played baseball at Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He was one of the nation's top pitching prospects before undergoing Tommy John surgery following his junior season. As a senior, he batted .552. Nelson committed to play college baseball at Georgia.[1]
Professional career
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies selected Nelson in the first round, with the ninth overall selection, of the 2004 amateur entry draft,[2] and received the third largest signing bonus in Rockies history.[3] In July 2007, while playing for the Modesto Nuts, Nelson was named Rockies Farm Player of the Month.[4]
Nelson was called up on June 18, 2010, to replace Troy Tulowitzki, who had broken his wrist.[5] He was expected to play second base, with Clint Barmes moving to shortstop.
On September 9, 2010, Nelson stole home plate against Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Masset, scoring what would be the deciding run in the Rockies' victory, their seventh straight. It was Nelson's first career stolen base, and the first time he had stolen home plate at any level.[6]
Though he struggled at the MLB level during the 2011 season, Nelson was announced as the third base starter along with Jordan Pacheco during Spring Training in 2012. He was designated for assignment on April 28, 2013.[7]
New York Yankees
On May 1, Nelson was traded to the New York Yankees.[8] On May 15, he was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for David Adams.[9]
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
On May 18, 2013, Nelson was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[10] He was designated for assignment on June 10, 2013,[11] and accepted an assignment to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on June 13.[12] Following the trade of Alberto Callaspo on July 31, Nelson's contract was selected from Salt Lake.[13] On August 15, he hit his first career grand slam against Yankees reliever Boone Logan.[14] After the season, Nelson was non-tendered by the Angels, making him a free agent.[15]
Cincinnati Reds
On January 28, 2014, Nelson signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.[16] On June 16, 2014, Nelson was released by the Reds.[17]
San Diego Padres
On June 19, 2014, Nelson signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres.[18] On July 18, 2014, Nelson was called up from Triple-A El Paso and made his Padres debut against the New York Mets, going 2–4 with 2 RBI.[19][20] He was designated for assignment on September 2, 2014. Nelson elected free agency in October 2014.[21]
Philadelphia Phillies
Nelson signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on November 25, 2014.
Milwaukee Brewers
Nelson signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on May 9, 2015. And he was released on June 17, 2015.
Washington Nationals
Nelson signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals on June 21, 2015. He was released by the Washington Nationals on July 25, 2015.
Colorado Rockies (second stint)
On February 15, 2016, Nelson signed a minor league contract to return to the Colorado Rockies organization. In 69 games for the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, he batted .232/.273/.310 with three home runs and 33 RBI. Nelson elected free agency following the season on November 7.[22]
Sugar Land Skeeters
On March 21, 2017, Nelson signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 24 games he hit .261/.307/.359 with 2 home runs, 11 RBIs and 1 stolen base.
Kansas City Royals
On May 15, 2017, Nelson signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals.[23]
Coaching Career
He was named Bench Coach for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, for the 2018 season. He was named assistant hitting coach for the 2024 season.
Awards and honors
2008 | AFL Rising Stars |
2007 | Baseball America High Class A All-Star |
2007 | CAL Post-Season All-Star |
2006 | SAL Mid-Season All-Star |
References
- ^ Ching, David (June 4, 2012). "MLB draft, UGA signees no strangers". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ "Rockies select Nelson in first round: High school shortstop taken ninth overall in 2004 First-Year Player Draft". colorado.rockies.mlb.com. June 7, 2004. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ Ringolsby, Tracy (February 11, 2005). "Top Ten Prospects: Colorado Rockies". Baseball America. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ Weiss, Brad (August 2, 2007). "Rockies Farm Player of the Month". scout.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ "Troy Tulowitzki placed on DL". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 1, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Rockies sweep Reds for seventh straight win". ESPN.com. September 9, 2010. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ Harding, Thomas (April 28, 2013). "Prospect Arenado ready to face high expectations". MLB.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Yankees acquire infielder Chris Nelson from Rockies". USA Today. Associated Press. May 2, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Yankees call up INF David Adams, cut Chris Nelson". Associated Press. May 15, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ Short, D.J. (May 18, 2013). "Angels claim infielder Chris Nelson off waivers from the Yankees". NBC Sports. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Angels activate OF Peter Bourjos". ESPN.com. June 11, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ O'Bannon, Whitney (June 22, 2013). "Angels prospect Chris Nelson bumped between teams, but not giving up the Major League dream". Deseret News. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ Boor, William (August 2, 2013). "Nelson making most of opportunity at third base". MLB.com. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Nelson homers twice as Angels hold off Alfonso Soriano, Yankees". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 15, 2013. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alden (December 2, 2013). "Angels non-tender Williams, Hanson, two others". MLB.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Chris Nelson, Reds agree to minor league contract". Boston Herald. Associated Press. January 28, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (June 16, 2014). "Reds Release Chris Nelson After He Exercises Opt-Out". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Padres call up Chris Nelson from Triple-A". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 18, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ Richer, Tim (July 19, 2014). "Padres Look to Start Post Street Era Strong". friarsonbase.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ Laws, Will (July 18, 2014). "Padres call up infielder Nelson from Triple-A El Paso". padres.com. MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
- ^ Polishuk, Mark (October 6, 2014). "Players Who Have Elected Minor League Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ Eddy, Matt (May 23, 2017). "Minor League Transactions: May 13-19". Baseball America. Archived from the original on May 26, 2017.
- ^ "- the Baseball Cube". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Chris Nelson on Twitter
- 1985 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Decatur, Georgia
- African-American baseball players
- Major League Baseball infielders
- Colorado Rockies players
- New York Yankees players
- Los Angeles Angels players
- San Diego Padres players
- Casper Rockies players
- Asheville Tourists players
- Modesto Nuts players
- Tulsa Drillers players
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
- Salt Lake Bees players
- Louisville Bats players
- El Paso Chihuahuas players
- Waikiki Beach Boys players
- Phoenix Desert Dogs players
- Lehigh Valley IronPigs players
- Syracuse Chiefs players
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo players
- American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
- Albuquerque Isotopes players
- Sugar Land Skeeters players
- 21st-century African-American sportsmen
- 20th-century African-American sportsmen