Chris Getz
| Chris Getz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Second baseman | |
|
Born: August 30, 1983 Southfield, Michigan | |
| Bats: Left | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| August 12, 2008 for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Career statistics (through 2013 season) | |
| Batting average | .251 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 111 |
| Stolen bases | 87 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Christopher Ryan Getz (born August 30, 1983) is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He has also played for the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals.
Early life
Getz was born in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Michigan, and was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan by Art and Betsy Getz. He attended Grosse Pointe South High School ('South'), where he was a 3 time All-Michigan selection in football and baseball and holds the South career records for batting average (.465), doubles, stolen bases, walks, and saves. Getz was a member of South's State Championship baseball team during his junior year. He shared the title of "Michigan's Mr. Baseball" in 2002 and also lettered in football and golf. Getz was drafted in the 6th round by the Chicago White Sox in 2002, but opted to play baseball at Wake Forest University where his father had attended college. Getz transferred to the University of Michigan to play baseball after just one season. He holds the single season Big Ten records for at bats, hits, and was an All Big Ten Selection in 2004 and 2005. Getz also was a player in the Cape Cod Baseball League, a premier summer league for college prospects. In the 2008 MLB season, the Cape Cod league had over 200 alumni currently on MLB rosters. Getz played for the Chatham A's, now known as the Chatham Angler's.
Professional career
Chicago White Sox
Getz was again selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round of the 2005 draft. In 2005, he played 6 games for the Great Falls White Sox, the Sox rookie league affiliate before being promoted to the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators where he played in 55 games. In 2006, Getz played in 130 games for the Double-A Birmingham Barons. Limited by injury, Getz played in just 72 games for Birmingham during the 2007 season, batting .299.
In 2008, Getz was named the All-Star Futures Game,[1] he was called up to the White Sox on August 10, 2008.[2] He first appeared in a game against the Kansas City Royals three days later on August 12, where he recorded his first hit and RBI off Royals pitcher Josh Newman in his one and only at-bat during the 8th inning. The next day, he had his first Major League start, replacing Alexei Ramírez at second base. He went 1-3 with a single.
With Ramirez moving over to shortstop for the 2009 season, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén announced that Getz had won the starting role at second base out of spring training.[3] In 2009, Getz ranked tied for first among AL rookies in multi-hit games (28) and 92.6 stolen base percentage (25-for-27) led the league. After season he was named 2009 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster.[4]
Kansas City Royals
Getz was traded to the Kansas City Royals on November 6, 2009 along with Josh Fields for Mark Teahen.[5] His career with the Royals was riddled with injuries. He played only 72 games during the 2010 season due first to a strained oblique muscle, and then later due to a concussion after being hit in the head with a baseball.[6] He fared somewhat better in 2011, appearing in 118 games and posting a .255 batting average with 21 stolen bases. During the 2012 season Getz made three separate trips to the disabled list, first in May with a bruised ribcage, then in June with a lateral strain of the left leg, and finally in August with a broken left thumb. The last injury required surgery, ending his season.[6] Despite the injury history, the Royals signed Getz to a one-year contract on November 30, 2012. The base contract for 2013 was for $1.05 million, with additional performance bonuses totalling $150,000.[6] Getz was optioned to the Omaha Storm Chasers - The Royals AAA farm club in 2013. Johnny Giavotella was called up to replace him. After 14 games, Giavotella was sent back to Omaha and Getz was recalled on July 19. The Royals did not tender him a contract for 2014 and he became a free agent on December 2, 2013.
Toronto Blue Jays
On January 16, 2014, Getz signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[7]
References
- ↑ Sheehan, Joe (July 14, 2008). "BP: Futures Game offers glimpse of stars, moments to come". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
- ↑ "International League News and Notes". oursportscentral.com. August 14, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Guillen endorses Getz for 2B job". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 22, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Topps names Chris Getz to 2009 Major League Rookie All-Star Team". MLB.com. November 25, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Royals acquire Chris Getz and Josh Fields from White Sox for Mark Teahen and cash considerations". MLB.com. November 6, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Kaegel, Dick (30 November 2012). "Getz returns to Royals with one year deal". MLB.com via KC Royals team website. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
- ↑ Todd, Jeff (January 16, 2014). "Blue Jays Sign Chris Getz". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)