| Brian Dinkelman | |
|---|---|
Dinkelman in 2008 with the Miracle |
|
| Minnesota Twins – No. -- | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: November 10, 1983 Centralia, Illinois |
|
| Bats: Left | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| June 4, 2011 for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Career statistics (through 2011) |
|
| Batting average | .301 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 4 |
| Teams | |
Brian Adam Dinkelman (born November 10, 1983) is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Minnesota Twins. Dinkelman was born on November 10, 1983, in Centralia, Illinois. After graduating from Centralia High School in 2002, Dinkelman attended McKendree University and graduated in 2006; he was later drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of the 2006 MLB draft. Dinkelman, after playing six years of minor league baseball, made his MLB debut on June 4, 2011. As of the 2011 season, Dinkelman has a career batting average of .301, with four runs batted in (RBI) and no home runs. He is officially listed as standing 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg).[1]
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Brian Adam Dinkelman was born on November 10, 1983 in Centralia, Illinois. He attended Centralia High School, where he played basketball and golf along with baseball.[2] After graduation, Dinkelman played baseball at McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, for the McKendree Bearcats. Dinkelman won the American Midwest Conference Player of the Year award from 2004–06,[3] and won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Player of the Year award his senior year.[4] At McKendree, Dinkelman set 25 career school records, as well as five NAIA career records.[5]
After college, Dinkelman was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of the 2006 MLB draft; he signed with the team on June 8, 2006.[6]
In his first professional season, Dinkelman played for the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie Appalachian League. Over 46 games played, Dinkelman batted .298 with four home runs and 32 runs batted in. Defensively, Dinkelman predominately played as a second baseman.[7] In 2007, he was selected to play in the Western Division of the Midwest League All-Star game, representing the Beloit Snappers.[8] In June of the same year, he was promoted to the Advanced A class Fort Myers Miracle;[9] combined, Dinkelman batted .269 in 131 games played,[10] and was voted the "Mightiest Miracle Player" (the favorite Fort Myers Miracle player) by fans.[11]
In 2008, Dinkelman continued his professional career, playing for the Miracle as well as the New Britain Rock Cats. Along with teammates Rob Delaney, Jeff Manship, Anthony Slama and Danny Valencia, Dinkelman represented the Fort Myers Miracle in the Florida State League All-Star game.[12] He finished the season with the AA Rock Cats, batting a combined .272 with four home runs, 40 RBI, and 12 stolen bases.[10]
From May 1–7, 2009, Dinkelman was the Twins' Minor League Player of the Week.[2] He was named to his third consecutive All-Star team after batting .299 with four home runs and 43 RBI in the first half of the season.[13] For the year, Dinkelman posted club highs in hits, doubles and walks[14] to help the Rock Cats make their first post-season appearance since 2003.[15] After the season, Dinkelman was named to the Eastern League All-Star Post-Season team as a utility player.[16]
Dinkelman spent the entire 2010 season with the Rochester Red Wings. He led his team in games played (137), total bases (199), and hits (139), while playing right field, left field and second base.[17] He began the 2011 year with the Red Wings before being promoted to the Minnesota Twins on June 2, 2011, to replace shortstop Trevor Plouffe.[18] On June 4, 2011, Dinkelman made his MLB debut, where he was hit by a pitch and intentionally walked, while also recording a single.[19]
"It's awesome. Getting to the Major Leagues was always something I wanted to do. When you get here and then get that first hit, it's a great feeling."
He was outrighted to the Red Wings on June 16,[21] and recalled to the Twins on September 5, 2011.[22] For the Twins in 2011, Dinkelman batted .301, with four RBI and no home runs. On October 22, after being outrighted off the roster, he declared free agency.
On November 10, 2011, Dinkelman signed a minor league contract to return to the Minnesota Twins.[6]