Andrelton Simmons

Andrelton Simmons

Simmons with the Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – No. 2
Shortstop
Born: (1989-09-04) September 4, 1989
Mundo Nobo, Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
(now part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 2, 2012, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Batting average .261
Home runs 35
Runs batted in 212
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Simmons batting for the Netherlands national team in 2013 World Baseball Classic

Andrelton A. Simmons (born September 4, 1989) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball (MLB). He stands 6'2" and weighs 195 lbs. He previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves. Drawing considerable attention for his defensive abilities, Simmons has won a National League Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, two Rawlings Gold Glove Awards for shortstops, a Wilson MLB Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award and three Fielding Bible Awards.

Amateur career

Simmons played youth baseball alongside fellow Curaçao natives Kenley Jansen and Didi Gregorius; he also played basketball and soccer.[1] Due to his slight build, Simmons did not draw much attention from MLB scouts until attending Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, Oklahoma. As a freshman at Western Oklahoma State, Simmons hit .472 with seven home runs and 40 RBIs, leading his team to the 2010 NJCAA Division II College World Series.[2]

Professional career

Atlanta Braves

Simmons on the road in St. Louis, 2014

Simmons was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft out of Western Oklahoma State College.[3]

Prior to the 2012 season, Simmons was the Braves' fourth best prospect according to Baseball America.[4] He was ranked 92nd in all of baseball.[5] During spring training he competed with Tyler Pastornicky for the Braves starting shortstop job.[6][7] On May 30, 2012, the Braves called Simmons up,[8] and he made his Major League debut on June 2 against the Washington Nationals.[9] He got his first Major League hit, a double, on June 3.[10] Simmons was named National League Rookie of the Month for June 2012 after hitting .333 with six doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs in June 25 games. He led all NL rookies in batting average and on-base percentage.[11] Simmons also won praise for his outstanding defense, and is considered as arguably the best defensive shortstop in the game.[12][13] On July 8, 2012, during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Simmons suffered a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal on his right hand while sliding head-first into second base.[14] On July 9, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list.[15]

In 2013, Simmons played for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.[16] On June 4, 2013, Simmons hit his first walk-off hit.[17] He finished the 2013 season with the highest Defensive Runs Saved ever recorded in a year[18] and received the Gold Glove,[19] the Fielding Bible,[20] and the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award[21] for his defensive work that season.

On February 20, 2014, the Atlanta Braves signed Simmons to a seven-year deal worth $58 million.[22][23] At the end of the year, Simmons and then-teammate Jason Heyward won the Gold Glove[24] and Fielding Bible[25] for their respective positions.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

On November 12, 2015, Simmons, along with catcher Jose Briceno, was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Erick Aybar, Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis.[26] In a May 9, 2016, game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Simmons tore the ulnar collateral ligament of his left thumb and was placed on the disabled list.[27] He was reactivated on June 16.[28]

References

  1. ↑ Crasnick, Jerry (April 27, 2015). "Andrelton Simmons is a hard-working human highlight reel". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  2. ↑ Aber, Ryan (June 8, 2010). "Western Oklahoma State shortstop Simmons first state player drafted". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  3. ↑ Hempson, Chris (June 9, 2010). "Young pitchers dominate Braves' Day 3 Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  4. ↑ Ballew, Bill (October 31, 2011). "Atlanta Braves top 2012 prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ "2012 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 21, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ Bowman, Mark (March 11, 2012). "Simmons' dazzling 'D' leaving strong impression". MLB.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  7. ↑ Bowman, Mark (March 19, 2012). "Pastornicky, Simmons continue shortstop battle". MLB.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  8. ↑ O'Brien, David (May 30, 2012). "Pastornicky sent to Triple-A; Simmons coming to Majors". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Boxscore". MLB.com. June 2, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  10. ↑ Ginsburg, David (June 3, 2012). "Hanson, Braves beat Nationals 3-2". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  11. ↑ Rogers, Carroll (July 2, 2012). "Simmons named NL rookie of the month". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  12. ↑ Moore, Jack (September 13, 2012). "Andrelton Simmons Changed Everything". Fangraphs. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  13. ↑ Simon, Mark (July 2, 2012). "Braves rookie Simmons already elite SS". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  14. ↑ Willis, Kris (July 8, 2012). "Andrelton Simmons Injury: Braves Shortstop Has Fractured Finger". SBNation. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  15. ↑ Vivlamore, Chris (July 9, 2012). "Braves place Simmons on 15-day disabled list". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  16. ↑ O'Brien, David (March 20, 2013). "Braves' Simmons ready for season after WBC stint". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  17. ↑ Bowman, Mark (June 5, 2013). "Braves win fourth straight on Simmons' walk-off hit". MLB.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  18. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (October 2, 2013). "With Gold Glove defense, Simmons' value unmatched". MLB.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  19. ↑ Rogers, Carroll (October 29, 2013). "Braves SS Simmons wins first Gold Glove". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ Berry, Adam (October 28, 2013). "Fielding Bible names six first-time winners". MLB.com. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  21. ↑ O'Brien, David (November 9, 2013). "Simmons wins Platinum Glove as NL's top defensive player". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Braves sign Simmons to 7-year deal". ESPN.com. February 20, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  23. ↑ Bowman, Mark (February 20, 2014). "Braves lock up Simmons with seven-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Jason Heyward and Andrelton Simmons Honored as Rawlings Gold Glove Winners". MLB.com. November 4, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  25. ↑ O'Brien, David (October 31, 2014). "Braves Simmons, Heyward win prestigious defensive awards". Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Braves deal Andrelton Simmons to Angels for Erick Aybar in SS swap". ESPN.com. November 12, 2015.
  27. ↑ Gonzalez, Alden (May 10, 2016). "Simmons needs thumb surgery, will miss 2 months". MLB.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  28. ↑ Gonzalez, Alden (June 16, 2016). "Simmons returns to Halos ahead of schedule". MLB.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.

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