File this one below “in case you missed it.”
Charlie Culberson, whose 63 video games in a Dodgers uniform included a couple memorable homers and 5 postseason begins, is a pitcher now.
In actual fact, he has been since final yr — kind of.
Culberson said in a September interview that he had been making an attempt to increase his profession as a two-way participant earlier within the 2023 season, however his progress was interrupted when the Atlanta Braves referred to as him as much as the main leagues to function a backup infielder.
The 34-year-old veteran has made some progress honing his pitching expertise over time.
In eight profession aid appearances from 2018-22 with the Braves and Texas Rangers, Culberson allowed just one run. These outings have been successfully mop-up aid appearances designed to spare his membership’s full-time relievers.
After saying his intend to transition to the mound, Culberson discovered his approach into 4 minor league video games at Triple-A Gwinnett final yr. Though his remaining numbers weren’t fairly — eight hits and 5 runs allowed (two earned) in 3.2 innings — Culberson did report 5 strikeouts alongside the way in which. Right here’s one:
Culberson debuted with the San Francisco Giants in 2012 and has appeared in 586 common season video games since then. He’s appeared at each place aside from catcher and middle area for the Giants, Rockies, Dodgers, Braves, and Rangers.
Aside from one season in Atlanta (2018, when Culberson had a .792 OPS in 113 video games), he’s discovered enjoying time exhausting to return by on the main league stage. Culberson has a career .248/.294/.386 slash line and 0 Wins Above Replacement.
In that context, Culberson’s chase for the two-way dream is comprehensible. He’s little greater than two years shy of 10 years of service time, after which main league gamers obtain a completely vested pension fund.
Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the Braves will ship Culberson to their minor league camp to start his first full spring coaching as a pitcher. He gained’t eclipse Shohei Ohtani’s jersey gross sales anytime quickly, however it’s definitely potential MLB might have one other two-way participant within the league earlier than lengthy.
