Shane Victorino
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Phillies — No. 8 | |
| Center field | |
| Bats: Both | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| April 2, 2003 for the San Diego Padres | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006) |
|
| Batting average | .267 |
| Home runs | 8 |
| Runs scored | 83 |
| Former teams | |
Shane Patrick Victorino (born November 30, 1980 in Wailuku, Hawaii) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed. In reference to his speed and place of birth, he has been nicknamed "The Flyin' Hawaiian."
Shane's strongest attribute on the baseball diamond is his impressive speed, both in the outfield and on the bases. This comes as no surprise, since he is a former Hawaii state high school track and field champ (Spring, 1999) for St. Anthony's High School in the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes. His 100m time (10.80) was also a state record.
Through the 2005 season, Victorino owns a .178 batting average, though he batted .294 in the 2005 season with the Philadelphia Phillies and was named the International League (AAA) Most Valuable Player. He also has eight career extra-base hits, including three home runs, 18 RBI's, nine walks and seven stolen bases.
Originally drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Dodgers (1999), Victorino has had experience in two different Major League organizations. He made his Major League debut in 2003 with the San Diego Padres and played in 2005 with the Phillies. He is one of the two reserve outfielders for the Phillies in the 2006 season, along with David Dellucci. He has had a chance to play regularly this season, first with an early season injury to Aaron Rowand, then with the trade of Bobby Abreu and slumping performance of Pat Burrell, and again with another Rowand injury on August 21, 2006. Victorino is hitting well in what might be a breakout season.
Victorino was originally a Rule 5 draft pick in 2002 by the San Diego Padres, but was later returned to the Dodgers. He was a Rule 5 pick again in 2004; the Phillies this time retained him.
Victorino is expected to be the Phillies starting right fielder for the 2007 season. He permanently replaces Bobby Abreu who was traded to the New York Yankees midway through the 2006 season.
