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Charlie Culberson

Charles Edward Culberson (born April 10, 1989) is an American former professional baseball infielder. The San Francisco Giants drafted Culberson in the first round in the 2007 MLB draft. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Giants, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Texas Rangers.

Charlie Culberson
Culberson with the Colorado Rockies in 2013
Infielder
Born: (1989-04-10) April 10, 1989 (age 35)
Rome, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 13, 2012, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
July 16, 2023, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
Batting average.248
Home runs30
Runs batted in145
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Early life

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Culberson's father with the Memphis Chicks in 1988

Charles Edward Culberson was born on April 10, 1989, in Rome, Georgia, to parents Charles and Kim.[1] He has an elder sister, Chelce.[2] Culberson's father was the Giants 16th pick in the 1984 draft, and played in their minor league system for five seasons.[3][4] While some baseball sites state that Leon Culberson, who played in the major leagues from 1943 to 1948, was Charlie Culberson's grandfather,[5] Charlie Culberson has stated that "he was actually my grandfather’s first cousin".[6]

Culberson grew up a Braves fan.[7] He attended Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Georgia. In 2005, Culberson's high school baseball team won the state championship.[1] On August 15, 2015, he was inducted into the Calhoun-Gordon County Sports Hall of Fame.[8]

Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues

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The San Francisco Giants drafted Culberson in the first round of the supplemental draft (51st overall) of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft out of high school.[9][10] They added him to the 40 man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft after the 2011 season, in which he batted .259 with 10 home runs and 56 runs batted in for the Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Double-A Eastern League.[11] He was rated the seventh best second base prospect prior to the 2012 season.[12]

San Francisco Giants (2012)

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After beginning the 2012 season with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League, the Giants promoted Culberson to the big league club on May 13, 2012. He made his MLB debut that day[13] and collected his first major league base hit against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Joe Saunders.[14]

Colorado Rockies (2013–2014)

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On July 27, 2012, Culberson was traded to the Colorado Rockies for Marco Scutaro and cash considerations.[15][16] He spent the rest of the 2012 season with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, the Rockies' AAA affiliate, and continued to play for them in 2013. In 97 games for the Sky Sox, he hit .310/.338/.524 with 14 home runs, 64 RBI and 8 triples.

On July 29, Culberson was recalled by the Rockies, replacing Jordan Pacheco.[17] When Carlos González went on the disabled list, Culberson and Corey Dickerson entered a platoon situation in left field. On August 16, 2013, Culberson hit his first MLB home run off Wei-Yin Chen of the Baltimore Orioles.[18] In 47 games with the Rockies, he hit .293/.317/.404 with 2 home runs, 12 RBI and 5 stolen bases.

On May 4, 2014, Culberson hit a pinch-hit walk-off two-run home run off New York Mets closer Kyle Farnsworth, giving the Rockies an 11–10 victory.[19]

During spring training in 2015, Culberson was injured. Nearer to opening day, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back, and played in only five games at the major league level.[20][21] After the season, he was granted free agency by the Rockies and signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2016–2017)

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Culberson was signed by the Dodgers in November 2015 and invited to spring training,[22] where he impressed new Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.[23] After an injury to Howie Kendrick opened a spot for him, Culberson made the Dodgers 2016 Opening Day roster.[24] He was designated for assignment in July and optioned to the Oklahoma City Dodgers, then recalled a month later.[25] Culberson ended the big club's final home game of the season with a walk-off home run against former Rockies teammate Boone Logan, clinching the Dodgers' fourth consecutive National League West division title. It was also the last Dodgers home game called by longtime broadcaster Vin Scully.[26] He played in 34 games for Los Angeles, hitting .284[27] and in 70 games for Oklahoma City, hitting .260.[28] He had no hits in seven at-bats with two strikeouts in the 2016 National League Division Series.[27] He was outrighted to the minors and removed from the 40-man roster on December 9, 2016.[29] He was assigned to Oklahoma City to begin the season.[30] He remained in the minors for the conclusion of the AAA season, hitting .250 in 108 games[28] and returned to the majors with the Dodgers on September 4.[31] In 15 games for the Dodgers, he hit .154 with two hits in 13 at-bats.[27] When starting shortstop Corey Seager was left off of the 2017 NLCS roster because of a back injury, Culberson was added to the postseason roster.[32] He appeared in all five games of the series, with five hits in 11 at-bats for a .455 average.[27] In the 2017 World Series, Culberson had three hits in five at-bats,[27] including his first career post-season home run, which he hit off Chris Devenski of the Houston Astros in the 11th inning of Game Two.[33]

Atlanta Braves (2018–2020)

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On December 16, 2017, the Dodgers traded Culberson, Adrián González, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, and cash considerations to the Atlanta Braves for Matt Kemp.[34] Culberson struggled to begin the 2018 season, earning a larger role in late May due to an injury to Ronald Acuña Jr.[35] On May 28, Culberson hit a walk-off home run against the New York Mets as a pinch hitter.[36] He repeated this feat on June 3 against the Washington Nationals.[37] Culberson pitched professionally for the first time on August 17, taking the mound in the ninth inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies.[38][39] His success during the 2018 season earned him the nickname "Charlie Clutch."[40]

Culberson and the Braves agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.395 million for the 2019 season.[41] He changed uniform numbers from 16 to 8 to accommodate the return of Brian McCann to the organization as a free agent.[42][43] On September 14, Culberson was struck by a pitched ball thrown by Fernando Rodney of the Washington Nationals, and left the game.[44][45] Culberson suffered several facial fractures.[46][47] In 2019, he batted .259/.294/.437 with five home runs and 20 RBIs.[48]

Culberson was non-tendered and became a free agent on December 2, 2019.[49] He returned to the Braves by signing a minor league contract on December 13.[50][51] On July 21, 2020, Culberson had his contract selected to the 40-man roster. On September 8, Culberson was designated for assignment by the Braves.[52]

In 2020, he batted one-for-seven with an RBI.[48]

On September 30, 2020, Culberson was selected back to the 40-man roster to be active for the Wild Card Series matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.[53]

Texas Rangers (2021–2022)

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On December 28, 2020, Culberson signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers and was invited to spring training.[54] On March 29, 2021, Culberson was selected to the 40-man roster.[55][56] Over 90 games in 2021, Culberson hit .243/.296/.381/.676 with 5 home runs, 22 RBI, with 7 stolen bases.[57] On March 17, 2022, Culberson signed a minor league contract with Texas.[58][59] On April 5, 2022, Culberson had his contract selected to the major league roster. Getting into 68 games for Texas in 2022, Culberson hit .252/.283/.357/.640 with 2 home runs and 12 RBI that season.[60]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On February 9, 2023, Culberson signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.[61] Culberson went 4-for-24 in spring training before he was released by the Rays on March 24.[62]

Second stint with Atlanta Braves (2023)

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On March 31, 2023, Culberson signed a minor league contract to return to the Atlanta Braves organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.[63][64] He played in 24 games for Gwinnett, batting .204/.234/.255 with 1 home run, 10 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. On May 19, Culberson's contract was selected to the active roster.[65][66] He was designated for assignment by the Braves on June 18, without having appeared in a game for the club.[67][68] On June 25, he cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment.[69]

On June 27, Culberson re–signed with the Braves on a minor league contract.[70] He was selected back to the major league roster on June 30.[71] His only appearance came as a pinch hitter in the team's July 16 game against the Chicago White Sox, and he collected a single off of Jesse Scholtens in his only at–bat. Following Atlanta's acquisition of Nicky Lopez, Culberson was designated for assignment by the Braves on July 31.[72] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Gwinnett on August 2.[73] The next day, Culberson declined the assignment and elected free agency.[74] He re–signed with the Braves on a new minor league contract on August 4[75] and elected free agency on November 6 when the season concluded.[76]

On January 12, 2024, Culberson re-signed with the Braves on a minor league contract, with the intention of converting to a pitcher.[77] He made his first spring training appearance as a pitcher on February 29, pitching one inning and giving up a single and no runs. On March 23, Culberson was released by the Braves organization.[78]

On September 19, 2024, Culberson announced his retirement from professional baseball.[79]

Personal life

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Culberson married Sarah O'Rourke in November 2011.[80] The couple have three children.[81]

References

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  1. ^ a b Farrer, Alex (May 28, 2014). "MLB: Culberson's parents, high school coach see him live his dream". Calhoun Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  2. ^ Dawson, David (May 21, 2012). "MLB: Culberson's rise to major leagues fueled by determination, sacrifices". Rome News Tribune. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  3. ^ "Charles Culberson Baseball Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  4. ^ Wellham, David (February 8, 2018). "5 things to know about Charlie Culberson of the Braves". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "Leon Culberson". Retrosheet. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  6. ^ Laurila, David (September 2, 2018). "Sunday Notes: Bobby Wilson is a Soldier Who Has Seen Pitching Evolve". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  7. ^ Wilborn, Nubyjas (March 30, 2018). "Charlie Culberson lives out dream as a Brave". MDJOnline.com.
  8. ^ "14 to be inducted in Calhoun-Gordon County Sports Hall of Fame in inaugural class". Calhoun Times. May 22, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2016 – via Northwest Georgia News.
  9. ^ Carter, Ben (July 28, 2012). "MLB: Culberson surprised, excited about trade". Rome News Tribune. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  10. ^ Kerr, Zak (February 21, 2018). "Culberson thrilled to join hometown team". MLB.com. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  11. ^ "Six Former SJ Giants Added To 40-Man Roster". MILB.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  12. ^ "Prospect Watch: Top 10 second basemen". MLB.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  13. ^ "Calhoun star Charlie Culberson makes major league debut". Rome News Tribune. May 13, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  14. ^ "San Francisco Giants take series against Arizona Diamondbacks with 7-3 win". May 13, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  15. ^ "Colorado Rockies trade Marco Scutaro to San Francisco Giants for Charlie Culberson". ESPN.com. July 28, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  16. ^ "Rockies acquire INF Charlie Culberson from San Francisco". MLB.com. July 27, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  17. ^ "Rockies recall INF Charlie Culberson from Colorado Springs". MLB.com. July 29, 2013.
  18. ^ Renck, Troy E. (August 16, 2013). "Rosario powers Rockies past O's". Denver Post. Retrieved July 27, 2018 – via Daily Camera.
  19. ^ "MLB: Pinch walk-off homer for Colorado's Culberson ends game". Arizona Daily Star. Associated Press. May 4, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  20. ^ "Professional Baseball: Former locals working way up in Minors". Calhoun Times. June 6, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  21. ^ Duarte, Michael (September 27, 2016). "How Charlie Culberson Went From Almost Hanging it Up to Unlikely Hero". KNBC. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  22. ^ "Professional Baseball: Culberson signs deal with Dodgers". Calhoun Times. November 24, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  23. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers back on track with a wild win of their own - Los Angeles - Dodgers Report- ESPN". ESPN.com. April 10, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  24. ^ McCullough, Andy (May 3, 2016). "Dodgers' Yasmani Grandal, Howie Kendrick to start season on disabled list". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  25. ^ Staff (September 25, 2016). "Culberson's homer clinches NL West title for Dodgers". Reuters. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  26. ^ Plunkett, Bill (September 25, 2016). "In Vin Scully's final home game, Dodgers clinch NL West on Charlie Culberson walkoff HR in 10th". Orange County Register. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  27. ^ a b c d e "Charlie Culberson Statistics". Baseball Reference.
  28. ^ a b "Charlie Culberson Register Statistics & History". Baseball Reference.
  29. ^ Stephen, Eric (December 9, 2016). "Dodgers send Charlie Culberson outright to minors". SB Nation. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  30. ^ Oklahoma City Dodgers (April 5, 2017). "OKC Dodgers Release 2017 Opening Day Roster". milb.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  31. ^ Stephen, Eric (September 4, 2017). "Dodgers call up Charlie Culberson, activate Josh Fields from DL". SB Nation. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  32. ^ Shaikin, Bill (October 14, 2017). "Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager out of NLCS because of back injury; Charlie Culberson starts Game 1". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  33. ^ "2017 World Series Game 2, Astros at Dodgers, October 25". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
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  35. ^ O'Brien, David (June 12, 2018). "Braves' Culberson is making most of recent opportunity". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  36. ^ McElhaney, Tori (May 28, 2018). "Culberson's walk-off HR caps rally to stun Mets". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  37. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 3, 2018). "Culberson's pinch-hit walk-off HR sinks Nats". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  38. ^ Bowman, Mark (August 18, 2018). "Newcomb rocked by Colorado in defeat". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  39. ^ Bowman, Mark (August 18, 2018). "Culberson welcomes chance to pitch again". MLB.com. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  40. ^ Laurila, David (September 17, 2018). "How Culberson Became "Charlie Clutch" in Atlanta". Fangraphs. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  41. ^ "Braves avoid arbitration with Foltynewicz, 6 others". USA Today. Associated Press. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  42. ^ Bowman, Mark (January 19, 2019). "Acuna would prefer to stay at leadoff for Braves". MLB.com. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  43. ^ Bednarowski, John (January 19, 2019). "Charlie Culberson gets kick out of 'half a bobblehead' with Swanson". Marrietta Daily Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  44. ^ "Braves clinch, but focus on Culberson after HBP". ESPN. Associated Press. September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  45. ^ Bowman, Mark (September 14, 2019). "Culberson 'aware' after fastball hits face". MLB.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  46. ^ "Braves' Culberson has multiple facial fractures". ESPN. September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  47. ^ "Culberson: Multiple facial fractures after HBP". MLB.com. September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  48. ^ a b "Charlie Culberson Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  49. ^ Mark Bowman (December 2, 2019). "Braves non-tender Culberson, tender 7 contracts". MLB.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  50. ^ "Braves re-sign Charlie Culberson". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  51. ^ Bowman, Mark (December 13, 2019). "Culberson returns to Braves on Minor League deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  52. ^ Burns, Gabriel (September 8, 2020). "Braves place Max Fried on injured list". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  53. ^ Burns, Gabriel (September 30, 2020). "Braves announce 2020 wild-card series roster". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
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  55. ^ "Texas Rangers moving on from Rougned Odor; Jose Leclerc to have Tommy John surgery". ESPN.com. March 29, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  56. ^ Grant, Evan (March 29, 2021). "Rougned Odor won't make opening day roster, is no longer a Texas Ranger". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  57. ^ Weaver, Levi (October 6, 2021). "Grading the 2021 Texas Rangers: Position players edition". The Athletic. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  58. ^ "Rangers sign free agent INF/OF Brad Miller to two-year contract, also sign INF Charlie Culberson to Minor League deal". MLB.com. March 17, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  59. ^ Grant, Evan (March 17, 2022). "Sources: Charlie Culberson returns to Rangers on minor league deal". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
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  62. ^ "Truett's Chick-fil-A Sports: Berry christens new beach volleyball site on campus. Rays release Culberson. Braves counting down to opening day. NCAA Elite Eight links". Rome News-Tribune. March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023. Charlie Culberson released by Tampa Bay; scouts options. Media release: Charlie Culberson, a versatile 33-year-old who's played parts of 10 Major League seasons, had been in camp on a non-roster Minor League deal. He made a good impression on the staff but didn't perform particularly well, going 4-for-24 (.167) in 13 games. With an out clause in his contract, and without a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster, Culberson chose to explore other opportunities.
  63. ^ "Braves sign fan-favorite Charlie Culberson to minor league deal". 11 Alive. March 31, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  64. ^ Burns, Gabriel (March 31, 2023). "Charlie Culberson happy for opportunity back with Braves organization". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
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  66. ^ O'Brien, David (May 20, 2023). "Charlie 'Clutch' Culberson is back with Atlanta, and teammates and Braves fans love it". The Athletic. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  67. ^ "Braves DFA Charlie Culberson, scuttling dad's first pitch". ESPN.com. June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023. Republished by ABC News
  68. ^ Sutelan, Edward (June 18, 2023). "Braves DFA Charlie Culberson, call off Father's Day first pitch with his dad". Sporting News. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  69. ^ Toscano, Justin (June 25, 2023). "Charlie Culberson rejects Triple-A assignment, elects free agency". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  70. ^ "Culberson signs new minor league deal". Calhoun Times. June 27, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023. Republished by the Rome News-Tribune
  71. ^ Toscano, Justin (June 30, 2023). "Braves call Charlie Culberson back to the majors". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  72. ^ "Braves reinstate LHP A.J. Minter from injured list". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  73. ^ "Braves' Charlie Culberson: Remains in organization". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  74. ^ "Charlie Culberson: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  75. ^ "Transactions".
  76. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  77. ^ Toscano, Justin (January 12, 2024). "Charlie Culberson will be in Braves minor-league camp ... as a pitcher". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  78. ^ "Braves cut Charlie Culberson amid attempt to become pitcher". ESPN.com. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  79. ^ Toscano, Justin (September 19, 2024). "As he retires, former Braves' infielder Charlie Culberson has no regrets about baseball career". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  80. ^ "Culberson - O'Rourke Wedding". Rome New Tribune. February 12, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  81. ^ O'Brien, David (February 19, 2018). "'Big-hit' Charlie Culberson has come home, looks to impact Braves". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
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