Justin Maxwell

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Justin Maxwell

Maxwell during his tenure with the Houston Astros in 2013
Kansas City Royals – No. 27
Outfielder
Born: (1983-11-06) November 6, 1983
Olney, Maryland
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 5, 2007 for the Washington Nationals
Career statistics
(through 2013 season)
Batting average .228
Hits 175
Home runs 34
Runs batted in 104
Teams

Justin Adam Maxwell (born November 6, 1983) is an American professional baseball player. He plays in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Kansas City Royals. He previously played for the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.

Biography

Early years

Maxwell was drafted out of Sherwood High School by the Baltimore Orioles in the 43rd round (1279th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft, but opted instead to attend college at the University of Maryland. He was drafted, again, in 2004 by the Texas Rangers in the 10th round (291st overall), but declined, and the following year by the Washington Nationals in the 4th round (114th overall). He signed and played most of 2006 for the Vermont Lake Monsters, the Nationals Short-Season A team.

Professional baseball career

Washington Nationals

In 2007, he split his time between Low-A Hagerstown, and High-A Potomac, where, he combined to hit .281 with 27 home runs, 83 RBI and 35 stolen bases, the only player in Minor League Baseball to record at least 25 doubles, 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 2007."[1]

After the minor league season was over, he was brought up to the Nationals, just to get a taste of the big leagues, and "was told not to expect much from his first month in the majors."[2] On September 5, he made his debut, as pinch hitter, and flew out to the warning track. Six days later, in his third pinch hitting appearance, Maxwell recorded his first career base hit, a pinch-hit grand slam off an 0–2 pitch from Chris Seddon, of the Florida Marlins.[3]

During the 2007–2008 off-season, Maxwell played for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.

Maxwell was assigned to the Harrisburg Senators of the Double-A Eastern League in 2008 after hitting .280 in 13 spring training games for Washington, but missed most of the year with a fractured wrist suffered while diving for a flyball in the outfield.[4]

Washington Nationals players celebrate a walk-off grand slam by Maxwell on September 30, 2009

Maxwell spent most of the 2009 season with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs of the International League. He was called up late in the season because of injured center fielder Nyjer Morgan. On September 30, Maxwell hit a two-out full count walk off grand slam off of Francisco Rodriguez of the New York Mets on Fan Appreciation Day, the Nationals' last home game of the season.[5]

Maxwell split time with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs of the International League and the Nationals in 2010. On September 15, Maxwell hit a grand slam in the 2nd inning off of Mike Minor of the Atlanta Braves giving him three grand slams in four career at bats with the bases loaded.[6] In September, Maxwell sat out two games with a minor thumb injury suffered on September 18. He returned September 21 against the Houston Astros. Maxwell underwent Tommy John surgery after the season.[7]

New York Yankees

On February 2, 2011 the Nationals traded Maxwell to the New York Yankees for minor league pitcher Adam Olbrychowski.[8] Maxwell began the 2011 season with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees,[9] but his season ended prematurely due to a torn labrum.[10] The Yankees designated Maxwell for assignment at the end of spring training in 2012.[11]

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros claimed Maxwell off waivers on April 8.[12] Maxwell led the team in home runs with 18. He batted .229 and had 53 RBIs.[citation needed]

Kansas City Royals

Maxwell was traded to the Kansas City Royals on July 31, 2013.[13] He hit a walk-off grand slam on September 22, 2013 against the Texas Rangers.

References

  1. ↑ "Detwiler, others on fast track to DC: Lefty will be third Nats pick to make MLB debut in draft year". MLB.com. September 3, 2007. 
  2. ↑ Barry Svrluga (September 7, 2007). "Nationals Notebook: Team Trying to Keep Its Place on Radio Dial". Washington Post. p. E07. 
  3. ↑ Amy Shipley (September 12, 2007). "Marlins Knock Off Nationals in a Slugfest". Washington Post. 
  4. ↑ Bill Ladson (October 7, 2008). "Maxwell ready to make up for lost year". MLB.com. 
  5. ↑ Bill Ladson (September 30, 2009). "Nationals walk off, sweep Mets: Home slate wraps on high note with Maxwell's slam". MLB.com. 
  6. ↑ "Maxwell's grand slam powers Nationals over Braves, 4–2". USA Today. September 16, 2010. 
  7. ↑ Byron Kerr: Maxwell undergoes Tommy John, eyes February return. Masnsports.com (2010-10-28). Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  8. ↑ Yankees acquire outfielder Justin Maxwell from Nationals | yankees.com: News. Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  9. ↑ Montero and Pena officially sent to Triple-A | The Lohud Yankees Blog. Yankees.lhblogs.com (2011-03-28). Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  10. ↑ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Blog » The time for Jesus Montero: Is it now?. Blogs.thetimes-tribune.com (2011-08-08). Retrieved on 2011-11-15.
  11. ↑ Hoch, Bryan (April 4, 2012). "Bombers bits". MLB.com. Retrieved 2012-04-06. 
  12. ↑ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120408&content_id=28163638&notebook_id=28166396
  13. ↑ "Royals acquire Maxwell from Astros for Smith". MLB.com. July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013. 

External links

Kansas City Royals current roster
Active roster
Coaching staff
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