Lonell Roberts

Lonell Dashawn Roberts

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 172 lb.
• High School Bloomington High School
• Born June 7, 1971 in San Bernardino, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Speedy outfielder Lonell Roberts played in the minor leagues from 1989 to 1999. He began his career in the Toronto Blue Jays system and remained in their organization through 1997, then he wrapped up his career in the Atlanta Braves chain. Though he reached Triple-A twice, he never played in the major leagues—in part because he often had trouble hitting above the Mendoza line.

He was taken by the Blue Jays in the 8th round of the 1989 amateur draft, a couple picks ahead of pitcher John DeSilva. He began his career with a .141 average in 78 at-bats for the Medicine Hat Blue Jays in 1989, though by 1991, he had 35 stolen bases in 110 games for the Myrtle Beach Hurricanes—despite a .222 average. In just 67 games in 1992, he had 34 swipes, but again his average was anemic at .194. His average began to creep up from 1993 to 1996, with a high of .291 in 1996, and his stolen base totals generally increased, as well, with marks of 54, 61, 57 and 24, respectively. His 61 steals in 1994 led the Florida State League. He reached Triple-A for the first time in 1997, but hit just .156/.240/.231 with 6 stolen bases in 173 at-bats there. He joined the Braves system the next year and, after spending 1998 at Double-A, he spent all of 1999 at Triple-A, hitting .262/.309/.348 with 17 stolen bases in 119 games for the Richmond Braves. 1999 proved to be his final campaign.

Overall, Roberts hit .239/.298/.299 with 303 stolen bases in 917 games over 11 seasons. He had just 18 home runs in 3,342 at-bats, or one every 186 ABs.

He also spent time with the Sydney Blues of the Australian Baseball League, stealing 33 bases for them and making the All-Star team in 1994-95.