Charlie Culberson Explained

Charlie Culberson
Team:Free agent
Birth Date:10 April 1989
Birth Place:Rome, Georgia, U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 13
Debutyear:2012
Debutteam:San Francisco Giants
Statyear:2023 season
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.248
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:30
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:145
Teams:

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

Early life

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

Culberson grew up a Braves fan.[6] He attended Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Georgia. In 2005, Culberson's high school baseball team won the state championship.[7] On August 15, 2015, he was inducted into the Calhoun-Gordon County Sports Hall of Fame.[8]

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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]

Personal life

Culberson married Sarah O'Rourke in November 2011.[79] The couple have three children.[80]

Notes and References

  1. News: Dawson . David . MLB: Culberson's rise to major leagues fueled by determination, sacrifices . July 27, 2018 . Rome News Tribune . May 21, 2012.
  2. Web site: Charles Culberson Baseball Statistics . The Baseball Cube . October 11, 2016.
  3. News: Wellham . David . 5 things to know about Charlie Culberson of the Braves . July 27, 2018 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . February 8, 2018.
  4. Web site: Leon Culberson . . March 6, 2020.
  5. News: Sunday Notes: Bobby Wilson is a Soldier Who Has Seen Pitching Evolve . David . Laurila . fangraphs.com . September 2, 2018 . March 6, 2020.
  6. Web site: Charlie Culberson lives out dream as a Brave. Nubyjas. Wilborn. MDJOnline.com. March 30, 2018 .
  7. News: Farrer . Alex . MLB: Culberson's parents, high school coach see him live his dream . July 27, 2018 . Calhoun Times . May 28, 2014.
  8. News: 14 to be inducted in Calhoun-Gordon County Sports Hall of Fame in inaugural class. Calhoun Times. Northwest Georgia News. May 22, 2015. September 26, 2016.
  9. News: Carter. Ben. MLB: Culberson surprised, excited about trade. February 23, 2018. Rome News Tribune. July 28, 2012.
  10. News: Kerr. Zak. Culberson thrilled to join hometown team. February 23, 2018. MLB.com. February 21, 2018.
  11. Web site: Six Former SJ Giants Added To 40-Man Roster. MILB.com. April 14, 2016.
  12. Web site: Prospect Watch: Top 10 second basemen. MLB.com. April 14, 2016.
  13. News: Calhoun star Charlie Culberson makes major league debut . July 27, 2018 . Rome News Tribune . May 13, 2012.
  14. Web site: San Francisco Giants take series against Arizona Diamondbacks with 7-3 win. May 13, 2012. April 14, 2016.
  15. Web site: Colorado Rockies trade Marco Scutaro to San Francisco Giants for Charlie Culberson. ESPN.com. July 28, 2012 . April 14, 2016.
  16. News: Rockies acquire INF Charlie Culberson from San Francisco . July 27, 2018 . MLB.com . July 27, 2012.
  17. Web site: Rockies recall INF Charlie Culberson from Colorado Springs . MLB.com . July 29, 2013.
  18. News: Renck . Troy E. . Rosario powers Rockies past O's . July 27, 2018 . Denver Post . Daily Camera . August 16, 2013.
  19. News: MLB: Pinch walk-off homer for Colorado's Culberson ends game . July 27, 2018 . Arizona Daily Star . Associated Press . May 4, 2014.
  20. News: Professional Baseball: Former locals working way up in Minors . September 18, 2018 . Calhoun Times . June 6, 2015.
  21. News: Duarte . Michael . How Charlie Culberson Went From Almost Hanging it Up to Unlikely Hero . September 18, 2018 . KNBC . September 27, 2016.
  22. News: Professional Baseball: Culberson signs deal with Dodgers . July 27, 2018 . Calhoun Times . November 24, 2015.
  23. Web site: Los Angeles Dodgers back on track with a wild win of their own - Los Angeles - Dodgers Report- ESPN. ESPN.com. April 10, 2016 . April 14, 2016.
  24. Web site: Dodgers' Yasmani Grandal, Howie Kendrick to start season on disabled list. The Los Angeles Times. Andy. McCullough. May 3, 2016. May 3, 2016.
  25. News: Staff. Culberson's homer clinches NL West title for Dodgers. Reuters. September 25, 2016. September 26, 2016.
  26. News: Plunkett. Bill. In Vin Scully's final home game, Dodgers clinch NL West on Charlie Culberson walkoff HR in 10th. Orange County Register. September 25, 2016. September 25, 2016.
  27. Web site: Charlie Culberson Statistics. Baseball Reference.
  28. Web site: Charlie Culberson Register Statistics & History. Baseball Reference.
  29. Web site: Dodgers send Charlie Culberson outright to minors. SB Nation. Eric. Stephen. December 9, 2016. December 9, 2016.
  30. Web site: OKC Dodgers Release 2017 Opening Day Roster. milb.com. Oklahoma City Dodgers. April 5, 2017. April 5, 2017. August 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802132107/https://www.milb.com/okc-dodgers/news/okc-dodgers-release-2017-opening-day-roster/c-222441954/t-196093382. dead.
  31. Web site: Dodgers call up Charlie Culberson, activate Josh Fields from DL. SB Nation. Eric. Stephen. September 4, 2017. September 4, 2017.
  32. Web site: Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager out of NLCS because of back injury; Charlie Culberson starts Game 1. Los Angeles Times. Bill. Shaikin. October 14, 2017. November 27, 2017.
  33. Web site: 2017 World Series Game 2, Astros at Dodgers, October 25. Baseball Reference. November 27, 2017.
  34. Web site: Kemp returns to LA in 5-player deal with Braves. MLB.com. December 16, 2017. December 16, 2017.
  35. News: O'Brien . David . Braves' Culberson is making most of recent opportunity . August 19, 2018 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . June 12, 2018.
  36. News: McElhaney . Tori . Culberson's walk-off HR caps rally to stun Mets . August 19, 2018 . MLB.com . May 28, 2018.
  37. News: Bowman . Mark . Culberson's pinch-hit walk-off HR sinks Nats . August 19, 2018 . MLB.com . June 3, 2018.
  38. News: Bowman . Mark . Newcomb rocked by Colorado in defeat . August 19, 2018 . MLB.com . August 18, 2018.
  39. News: Bowman . Mark . Culberson welcomes chance to pitch again . August 20, 2018 . MLB.com . August 18, 2018.
  40. News: Laurila . David . How Culberson Became "Charlie Clutch" in Atlanta . September 17, 2018 . Fangraphs . September 17, 2018.
  41. News: Braves avoid arbitration with Foltynewicz, 6 others . January 20, 2019 . USA Today . Associated Press . January 11, 2019.
  42. News: Bowman . Mark . Acuna would prefer to stay at leadoff for Braves . January 20, 2019 . MLB.com . January 19, 2019.
  43. News: Bednarowski . John . Charlie Culberson gets kick out of 'half a bobblehead' with Swanson . January 20, 2019 . Marrietta Daily Journal . January 19, 2019.
  44. News: Braves clinch, but focus on Culberson after HBP . September 15, 2019 . Associated Press . ESPN . September 14, 2019.
  45. News: Bowman . Mark . Culberson 'aware' after fastball hits face . September 15, 2019 . MLB.com . September 14, 2019.
  46. News: Braves' Culberson has multiple facial fractures . September 16, 2019 . ESPN. September 15, 2019.
  47. News: Culberson: Multiple facial fractures after HBP . September 16, 2019 . MLB.com . September 15, 2019.
  48. Web site: Charlie Culberson Stats. Baseball-Reference.com.
  49. Web site: Braves non-tender Culberson, tender 7 contracts. MLB.com. Mark Bowman. December 2, 2019. December 2, 2019.
  50. News: Braves re-sign Charlie Culberson . December 15, 2019 . Associated Press . ESPN.com . December 13, 2019.
  51. News: Bowman . Mark . Culberson returns to Braves on Minor League deal . December 15, 2019 . MLB.com . December 13, 2019.
  52. News: Burns . Gabriel . Braves place Max Fried on injured list . April 1, 2023 . Atlanta Journal Constitution . September 8, 2020.
  53. News: Burns . Gabriel . Braves announce 2020 wild-card series roster . April 1, 2023 . Atlanta Journal Constitution . September 30, 2020.
  54. News: Texas Rangers sign Charlie Culberson to minor league deal . April 1, 2023 . Associated Press . ESPN.com . December 28, 2020.
  55. News: Texas Rangers moving on from Rougned Odor; Jose Leclerc to have Tommy John surgery . April 1, 2023 . ESPN.com . March 29, 2021.
  56. News: Grant . Evan . Rougned Odor won't make opening day roster, is no longer a Texas Ranger . April 1, 2023 . The Dallas Morning News . March 29, 2021.
  57. Web site: Levi Weaver. Weaver. Levi. October 6, 2021. Grading the 2021 Texas Rangers: Position players edition. live. October 8, 2021. The Athletic. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006124730/https://theathletic.com/2862425/2021/10/06/grading-the-2021-texas-rangers-position-players-edition/ . October 6, 2021 .
  58. News: Rangers sign free agent INF/OF Brad Miller to two-year contract, also sign INF Charlie Culberson to Minor League deal . April 1, 2023 . MLB.com . March 17, 2022.
  59. News: Grant . Evan . Sources: Charlie Culberson returns to Rangers on minor league deal . April 1, 2023 . The Dallas Morning News . March 17, 2022.
  60. Postins . Matthew . October 26, 2022 . Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps: Charlie Culberson . January 9, 2023 . Sports Illustrated.
  61. News: Rays sign utility man Charlie Culberson to minor-league deal . April 1, 2023 . Associated Press . ESPN.com . February 9, 2023.
  62. News: 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. . April 1, 2023 . Rome News-Tribune . March 26, 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. News: Braves sign fan-favorite Charlie Culberson to minor league deal . June 4, 2023 . 11 Alive . March 31, 2023.
  64. News: Burns . Gabriel . Charlie Culberson happy for opportunity back with Braves organization. April 1, 2023 . Atlanta Journal-Constitution . March 31, 2023.
  65. News: Braves add Charlie Culberson, put Ehire Adrianza on 60-day IL . June 4, 2023 . Morgan County Citizen . May 19, 2023.
  66. News: O'Brien . David . Charlie 'Clutch' Culberson is back with Atlanta, and teammates and Braves fans love it . June 4, 2023 . The Athletic . May 20, 2023.
  67. News: Braves DFA Charlie Culberson, scuttling dad's first pitch . June 18, 2023 . ESPN.com . June 18, 2023. Republished by ABC News
  68. News: Sutelan . Edward . Braves DFA Charlie Culberson, call off Father's Day first pitch with his dad . June 18, 2023 . Sporting News . June 18, 2023.
  69. News: Toscano . Justin . Charlie Culberson rejects Triple-A assignment, elects free agency . July 2, 2023 . Atlanta Journal Constitution . June 25, 2023.
  70. News: Culberson signs new minor league deal . July 2, 2023 . Calhoun Times . June 27, 2023. Republished by the Rome News-Tribune
  71. News: Toscano . Justin . Braves call Charlie Culberson back to the majors . July 2, 2023 . Atlanta Journal Constitution . June 30, 2023.
  72. News: Braves reinstate LHP A.J. Minter from injured list . July 31, 2023 . Associated Press . ESPN.com . July 31, 2023.
  73. Web site: Braves' Charlie Culberson: Remains in organization. August 2, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  74. Web site: Charlie Culberson: Elects free agency. August 3, 2023. cbssports.com. August 3, 2023 . en.
  75. Web site: Transactions .
  76. Web site: 2023 MiLB Free Agents. May 23, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  77. Web site: Charlie Culberson will be in Braves minor-league camp ... as a pitcher. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Justin. Toscano. January 12, 2024. January 12, 2024.
  78. News: Braves cut Charlie Culberson amid attempt to become pitcher . March 23, 2024 . ESPN.com . March 23, 2024.
  79. News: Culberson - O'Rourke Wedding . July 27, 2018 . Rome New Tribune . February 12, 2012.
  80. News: O'Brien . David . 'Big-hit' Charlie Culberson has come home, looks to impact Braves . July 27, 2018 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . February 19, 2018.

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