Garrett Atkins

Garrett Bernard Atkins

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 210 lb.
• School UCLA
• High school University High School (Irvine)
• Debut August 3, 2003
• Final Game June 25, 2010
• Born December 12, 1979 in Orange, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Garrett Atkins was a star at UCLA, being named a freshman first team All-American in 1998 and a third team All-American in 2000. He was picked in the fifth round of the 2000 amateur draft by the Colorado Rockies and signed by scout Bo Hughes. Atkins made his pro debut in 2000 with the Portland Rockies. He hit over .300 at every stop but one in the minors. A peak was in 2004 with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, where he batted .366/.434/.578 in 445 at-bats. He was up with the Rox that year for 28 at-bats, posting a similar slash line.

Atkins came into his own in 2006, slugging over .550 with the Colorado Rockies. In 2007, he was one of the main reasons for the Rockies clinching an unlikely spot in the postseason, as he hit .301 with 182 hits, including 35 doubles and 25 homers, and driving in 111 runs; even in the favorable hitting environment of Colorado, this was good for a 113 OPS+. He took over at first base in the absence of slugger Todd Helton in 2008, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 99, but beginning a steady decline out of the big leagues. He batted a less impressive .226/.308/.342 after agreeing to a $7 million deal in arbitration for 2009 and was non-tendered to make room for Ian Stewart that winter. The Baltimore Orioles gave him $4 million for the 2010 campaign; after 44 games with a .214/.276/.286 line, he was DFAed and released. An attempt to catch on with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 was unsuccessful.

Notable Achievements

• 2000 MVP Northwest League Portland Rockies
• 2005 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 3 (2006-2008)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 2 (2006 & 2007)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (2006)

Related Sites

• Garrett Atkins at the SABR Bio Project
• Garrett Atkins on mlb.com