Franklin Gutiérrez

Franklin Rafael Gutiérrez
(Death to Flying Things)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut August 31, 2005
• Final Game June 24, 2017
• Born February 21, 1983 in Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela

BR page

Biographical Information

Franklin Gutierrez was signed by scout Camilo Pascual for the Los Angeles Dodgers in November 2000. He made his pro debut the next summer with the GCL Dodgers.

In 2010, Gutiérrez broke a record by handling 415 total chances in centerfield without committing a single error. Darryl Hamilton previously held the record, which had been set in 1996. He was rewarded by being awarded a Gold Glove as one of the American League's three best defensive outfielders after the season.

He missed the beginning of the 2012 season with an injury, only making his debut on June 14th. In only his 13th game back, he was hit on the head by an errant pick-off attempt by Boston Red Sox pitcher Franklin Morales and suffered a concussion. He was again out of action for another two months, only returning to the line-up on August 27th. He had more injury problems the following two years: in 2013, he was limited to 41 games with gastro-intestinal issues, then he told the Mariners just before the start of spring training in 2014 that he would need to miss the entire season because of the problem. He was placed on the restricted list to allow the Mariners to replace him on the major league roster.

He was ready to play again in 2015, although given the time missed, he was sent to the AAA Tacoma Rainiers to begin the season. He played well in the Pacific Coast League, hitting .317 with 12 doubles, 7 homers and 31 RBIs in 48 games to earn another shot at the majors. He made his return on June 24th and continued to hit well in a back-up role. On July 21st, he hit a pinch grand slam against Neftali Feliz of the Detroit Tigers in the 8th inning of an 11-9 win. He put up tremendous numbers in 59 games: a .292 average, 11 doubles, 15 homers and 35 RBIs, good for an OPS+ of 167, well above anything he had ever hit before. In 2016, he settled back to more normal levels but continued to be very productive, with a .246 average, 14 homers and 39 RBI in 98 games, and an OPS+ of 112.

He became a free agent after the 2016 season and on February 19, 2017 signed a contract with the Dodgers, returning to the organization that had originally signed him. He played 35 games in the majors that year, his final one in the majors, hitting .232.

Notable Achievements

• AL Gold Glove Winner (2010)

Related Sites

• Franklin Gutierrez on mlb.com