Garrett Atkins
Encyclopedia
Garrett Bernard Atkins is a Major League Baseball
first baseman
who is currently a Free Agent
. He bats and throws right-handed.
In , his 89 runs batted in led not only the Rockies, but all major league rookies as well. In , 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.
, California. 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.
in 1997
out of high school, Atkins elected to attend college instead. He was recruited by Pepperdine
, USC, Oklahoma State
, Cal State Fullerton
and UCLA
, choosing the latter. At UCLA
, Atkins majored in sociology
and became the first three-time All-American. 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 . However, in , 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
, and along with him, was one of only two Bruins to start every game. Atkins was drafted
in out of UCLA by the Colorado Rockies
in the fifth round (137th overall). This time, he chose to accept the offer from an MLB club and began the process of reaching the majors.
, marking a defensive transition to "a more natural position for him."
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
.
. The deal includes a one-year club option for $8.5 million, with a $500,000 buyout. He is expected to be the starting first baseman.
On June 27, the Orioles designated Atkins for assignment.
On July 6, the Orioles released Atkins.
for unknown reasons
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
who is currently a Free Agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He bats and throws right-handed.
In , his 89 runs batted in led not only the Rockies, but all major league rookies as well. In , 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.
High school career
Atkins attended University High School in IrvineIrvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
, California. 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 MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in 1997
1997 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1997...
out of high school, Atkins elected to attend college instead. He was recruited by Pepperdine
Pepperdine Waves
Pepperdine Waves is the name given to the sports teams of the Pepperdine University.-See also:* Pepperdine Waves alumni* 2011-12 Pepperdine Waves men's basketball team...
, USC, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball
Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball is the NCAA Division I collegiate baseball team of Oklahoma State University based in Stillwater, Oklahoma.The Oklahoma State baseball program is among the most storied and successful in the country. The program has won 30 conference championships as well as 19...
, Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball
The Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball team represents California State University, Fullerton in NCAA Division I college baseball. In 35 years of Division I play, the Titans have never had a losing season. They are supplied by DeMarini....
and UCLA
UCLA Bruins baseball
UCLA Bruins baseball team represents the University of California, Los Angeles in the NCAA baseball competition. Having started playing in 1920, the team is a member of the Pacific-10 Conference and plays its home games at Jackie Robinson Stadium. It has produced many Major and Minor League...
, choosing the latter. At UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
, Atkins majored in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and became the first three-time All-American. His accomplishments included compiling a 33-game hitting streak. He began as a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
before converting to third base, where he made 51 starts in . However, in , his sophomore campaign, Atkins played first base again and led the team in hits. He was a teammate and roommate of Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
' second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
, and along with him, was one of only two Bruins to start every game. Atkins was drafted
2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
in out of UCLA by the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in the fifth round (137th overall). This time, he chose to accept the offer from an MLB club and began the process of reaching the majors.
2008 season
In , Atkins spent much of the season playing first base in the absence of injured teammate Todd HeltonTodd Helton
Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner....
, marking a defensive transition to "a more natural position for him."
2009 season
Prior to the start of the 2009 season, Atkins accepted a one-year $7 million dollar contract from the Rockies. He struggled in the 2009 season2009 Major League Baseball season
The 2009 Major League Baseball season began on Sunday, April 5, 2009 with the Atlanta Braves defeating the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies 4–1. The regular season ended on October 6, extended two days for a one-game playoff between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins to...
hitting .226 with nine home runs, and 48 RBIs. With the emergence of Ian Stewart
Ian Stewart (baseball)
Ian Kenneth Stewart is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Baseball career:...
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
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
2010 season
Atkins agreed to a 1-year, $4 million deal with the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. The deal includes a one-year club option for $8.5 million, with a $500,000 buyout. He is expected to be the starting first baseman.
On June 27, the Orioles designated Atkins for assignment.
On July 6, the Orioles released Atkins.
2011 Season
Atkins agreed to a minor league deal with the Pirates on December 23, 2010. It includes an invite to spring training. On March 26, 2011, Atkins asked to be released by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for unknown reasons
.
Awards and honors
- 2005 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star TeamTopps All-Star Rookie RostersThis is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
; 3B - National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Rookie of the Month (June 2005)