Evan Chambers

Evan Michael Chambers

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 204 lb.
• Schools Hillsborough Community College, University of Florida
• High School Lakeland High School

• Born March 24, 1989 in Miami, FL USA
• Died November 30, 2013 in Lakeland, FL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Evan Chambers began his second pro season in 2010. Due to his build, he was compared to Kirby Puckett but shockingly died in his sleep at the age of 24.

Chambers was picked by the Colorado Rockies in the 19th round of the 2007 amateur draft out of high school but opted for college. He only had 8 at-bats for the University of Florida in 2008 and transferred to junior college to see more action. He hit .324 with 11 homers and 27 steals. Though Baseball America rated him #185 among prospects for the 2009 amateur draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates ranked him higher and took him in the third round, 84th overall. He was their fourth selection following Tony Sanchez, Victor Black and Brooks Pounders.

Evan was signed by scout Matt Wondolowski for a $423,900 bonus. He made his pro debut with the State College Spikes, hitting .245/.393/.380 with 50 walks and 45 runs in 58 games. He led the New York-Penn League in walks and his 78 strikeouts were second in the circuit.

Chambers spent 2010 with the West Virginia Power and hit .239/.384/.386 with 71 runs, 92 walks and 35 steals in 52 tries. Defensively, he had 12 outfield assists. He was among the South Atlantic League leaders in walks (1st by 16 over Jared Clark) and caught stealing (tied for third with Jeremy Hazelbaker). Among Pirate farmhands, he led in steals (two over Chase d'Arnaud), led in walks (26 over Robbie Grossman) and tied for 9th in home runs (12).

Evan's production fell somewhat with the 2011 Bradenton Marauders (.234/.350/.374, 20 SB, 12 CS, 70 BB, 131 K). He was third in the Bucco farm chain in walks (behind Grossman and Justin Howard) and second to Quincy Latimore in strikeouts. His 318 putouts were 13 shy of the lead among Florida State League flyhawks, with Aaron Hicks getting 331. He was 6th in the FSL in walks and fourth in whiffs (between Avisail Garcia and Jordan Lennerton. In 2012, he struggled with Bradenton (.195/.354/.245 in 61 G) and the Altoona Curve (.182/.267/.273 in 31 G). He missed most of 2013 with a broken foot, going 1 for 13 for the GCL Pirates. He finished his professional career with a batting line of .227/.361/.351, 29 home runs, 73 steals in 112 tries, 270 walks, 425 strikeouts, 214 runs and 158 RBI in 395 games.

He died in his sleep at age 24.

Sources include 2010 Pirates Media Guide, 2010 Baseball Almanac, Piratesprospects.com