Garrett Atkins
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|---|---|
| Colorado Rockies — No. 27 | |
| Third Baseman | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| August 3, 2003 for the Colorado Rockies | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006) |
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| AVG | .302 |
| RBI | 221 |
| HR | 43 |
Garrett Bernard Atkins (born December 12, 1979 in Orange, California) has been the third baseman for the Major League Baseball team the Colorado Rockies since 2003. He bats and throws right-handed. As a hitter, Atkins has established himself as a key element to the Colorado Rockies' premier offense, which includes Matt Holliday, and team veteran, Todd Helton. In 2005, his 89 runs batted in led not only the Colorado Rockies, but all major league rookies as well. In 2006, Atkins had a breakout year and 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.
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[edit] High school career
Garrett Atkins attended University High School in Irvine, 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.
[edit] 2005 season
- In June, Atkins was named the National League Rookie of the Month. He topped all NL rookies in hits (39), at-bats (107) and doubles (9), while compiling a .533 slugging average and .381 on-base percentage. His 26 RBI for the month were second-most in Colorado team history by a rookie, trailing only Todd Helton's 29 in August of 1998. In 2005 Atkins hit .287 with 13 home runs and 89 runs batted in.
- An injury during spring training prior to the 2005 season opened the door for rookie Jeff Baker to play the first 12 games of his big league career.
- The highlight of his young career occurred on June 28, 2005. Atkins hit a game-winning grandslam off Houston Astros relief pitcher Russ Springer in front of a home crowd at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.
Below are some other accomplishments:
-- Finished 4th in NL in Rookie of the Year balloting.
-- Unanimous selection at third base on the Topps All-Star Rookie Team
-- Excelled with runners in scoring position, batting .309 with 74 RBI (home: .306, 39 RBI/road: .313, 35 RBI).
-- Led the Rockies and all Major League Rookies with 89 RBI, the fifth highest total by a NL Rookie in the last 26 years.
-- Became the first Rockies' Rookie to lead the club in RBI.
-- Led NL Rookies in total bases with 221.
-- Led NL Rookies in doubles with 31.
-- Led NL Rookies in extra base hits with 45.
-- Led NL Rookies in walks with 45.
-- Longest hitting streak by any Major League Rookie and any Rockie in 2005 (16 games), tying the Rockies' rookie record.
-- Tied for second in NL and tied Rockies’ all-time record with two grand slams.
-- Led Rockies and finished 8th in the NL by putting ball in play on 54.5% of his swings.
-- One of the toughest 20 hitters to strike out in the NL.
-- Tied a Rockies' record with two grand slams, including a game-winner on June 29.
-- Five of his 13 home runs tied the game or gave the Rockies the lead.
-- Led NL third basemen in zone rating (range) and finished sixth in fielding percentage.
-- Committed only one error in his last 40 games and none in his final 25 games.
-- NL Rookie of the Month in June (.364, three home runs, nine doubles, 26 RBI).
-- Batted .314 with 10 doubles, a triple, four home runs and 30 RBI in September/October.
-- Finished tied for third in NL in RBI in June with 26.
-- Finished second in NL and third in majors in RBI in September with 29, tying a Rockies' franchise record for most RBI in a month by a rookie.
-- Hit safely in 32 of his last 36 games, batting .315 with 13 doubles, four home runs and 32 RBI during this stretch.
[edit] 2006 season
-- Led MLB in runs produced with 208.
-- Led MLB in batting average from three-hole (.353).
-- Finished fourth in the NL and 8th in MLB in batting average (.329).
-- Finished fifth in NL in home batting average (.346) and ninth in NL in road batting average (.313).
-- Finished fifth in the NL and tied for ninth in MLB in RBI (120).
-- Excelled with runners in scoring position, batting .341 with 62 hits (second in MLB and 93 RBI (second in MLB).
-- Only NL player in top 10 in batting average, hits, RBI, runs scored,on base percentage, and slugging percentage.
-- One of four MLB players who batted .320+ with 20+ home runs, 100+ RBI, and 100+ runs scored.
-- One of five MLB players who hit 25+ home runs and more walks than strikeouts.
-- Led Rockies in batting average and RBI.
-- Among top five in MLB in most post-all star offensive categories, including batting average (.354, third), hits (102, tied for first), RBI (62, fifth), on base percentage (.437, second), slugging percentage (.625, fourth), and OPS (1.062, third).
-- Two-time NL Player of the Week winner (4/3-4/8 and 9/26-10/1).
[edit] External links
- ESPN - profile and daily updates
- Baseball Reference - statistics and analysis
