Darnell McDonald
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|
|---|---|
| Minnesota Twins — No. 31 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: November 17, 1978 | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| April 30, 2004 for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2007 season) |
|
| Avg | .143 |
| RBI | 1 |
| HR | 0 |
| Teams | |
Darnell Tyrone McDonald (born November 17, 1978 in Fort Collins, Colorado) is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Minnesota Twins organization.
McDonald attended Cherry Creek High School, which would also be attended by David Aardsma, Brad Lidge and Donzell McDonald, his older brother.
Darnell never attended college (he was signed out of high school), although he was looking to play both baseball and football for the University of Texas. In 1997, McDonald was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles 26th overall in the first round in the amateur entry draft. He started his professional career in 1998.
In 1998, McDonald started off with Single-A Frederick, but after only four games and two stolen bases there, he moved to Single-A Delmarva. In 134 games there, he stole 35 bases and hit .261. His 35 stolen bases were a professional career high for him. He stayed with Single-A Frederick for the entire 1999 season, and found moderate success there. In 130 games, he stole 26 bases and hit .266. He earned a promotion to Double-A Bowie in 2000, and his first year a step higher didn't fare him well. He hit .242 in 116 games, and only stole 11 bases.
In 2001, McDonald played in Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Rochester. His statistics greatly improved while with Double-A Bowie that year, leading to a promotion. Again, the promotion didn't make his career stats any better, as he hit on .238 and stole only 13 bases in 104 games with Rochester. He started with Bowie again in 2002, hit .292 and stole 9 bases in 37 games with them. This also earned him a promotion to Rochester, where he fared better. He hit .289 with Rochester in 2002, as opposed to the .238 he hit one year before. In 2007, due to his trade to the Minnesota Twins, he was re-united with the Red Wings.
He spent his entire 2003 season with the Ottawa Lynx, who were the "new" Orioles Triple-A team. He only played 40 games that year, and hit .296. McDonald's 2004 season was subpar, he hit only .234 with Ottawa. It led to a promotion to the Baltimore Orioles, and while with them, McDonald hit .156 in 32 at bats (17 games).
On January 26, 2005, McDonald was signed by the Cleveland Indians to a minor league contract. He played 26 games with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, and then went over to the Devil Rays Triple-A team, the Durham Bulls.
On 5 June 2005, McDonald was suspended for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.[citation needed]
McDonald has or had been teammates with Luis Matos, Eddy Garabito and Rick Bauer for seven years, longer than any other teammates.[citation needed]
On June 24, 2007, McDonald was sent to the Minnesota Twins by the Washington Nationals in order for the Nationals to keep Rule 5 draft pick Levale Speigner. Speigner was then outrighted to Triple A Columbus by the Nationals.
On July 20, 2007, McDonald was called up to the Twins when Michael Cuddyer was placed on the disabled list.
[edit] Honors and Awards
- In 1996, he was a First Team High School All-American.
- In 1997, he was a First Team High School All-American and the Baseball America High School Player of the Year.
