Christian Colonel

Christian Burkhardt Colonel

• Bat Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 210 lb.
• School College of Southern Idaho, Texas Tech University
• High School American Falls High School
• Born December 25, 1981 in Pocatello, ID USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Christian Colonel played in the minor leagues from 2003 to 2011. He was initially taken by the New York Mets in the 9th round of the 2002 amateur draft, a few picks after outfielder Eric Reed, but opted not to sign. He did sign after being taken by the Colorado Rockies in the 5th round of the 2003 amateur draft, a couple picks after infielder Craig Stansberry.

Though he hit .245 and .249 his first two pro seasons, respectively, he stole 35 bases in 119 games for the Asheville Tourists in the latter. His line jumped to .310/.396/.473 with 7 home runs, 60 RBI and 32 doubles in 96 games for the Modesto Nuts in 2005, though he stole just one base. He had 10 home runs and 11 swipes for the Tulsa Drillers in 2006 and hit .309/.362/.495 with 17 home runs, 84 RBI and 47 doubles in 134 games for the same club in 2007. He slashed .258/.361/.355 with 8 hits in 10 games for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League that year. He was named a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star and Post-Season All-Star and was an AFL Rising Star. Reaching Triple A for the first time in 2008, Colonel hit .308/.360/.478 with 12 home runs and 65 RBI in 117 games for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox; he then slashed .288/.358/.486 for the Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuela Winter League, with 14 of his 32 hits going for doubles. He was named a Pacific Coast League Mid-Season All-Star in 2008. Though he had another decent year at Colorado Springs in 2009 -- .279/.348/.386 with 7 home runs and 69 RBI in 122 games -- he left the organization following the season without reaching the major leagues.

He played for five teams in four organizations over three levels in 2010. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and hit .368/.429/.395 in 13 games with the Triple A Las Vegas 51s. Nevertheless, he was released before the end of April. The San Diego Padres signed him, but he hit just .107 in 11 games for the Triple-A Portland Beavers and .221 in 39 games for the Double A San Antonio Missions (though he drew 20 walks with them and posted a .362 on-base percentage). He was released by San Diego on August 6. The Atlanta Braves signed him August 24 and he hit .324/.395/.559 in 11 games for their Double A squad, the Mississippi Braves. Between those four clubs, he hit .251/.357/.344 with 2 home runs and 22 RBI in 74 games. He also spent 7 games with the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, hitting .138 in 29 at-bats there. He wrapped up his career with a .143 average with the Birmingham Barons of the Chicago White Sox chain in 2011.

In the affiliated minors, Colonel hit .281/.354/.418 with 65 home runs, 429 RBI, 72 stolen bases and 193 doubles in 848 games. At all level, including winter ball and the AZFL, he hit .279/.353/.417 with 68 home runs, 457 RBI, 75 stolen bases and 207 doubles in 895 games.

Related Sites

• KPVI article
• Idaho State Journal article