Charlie Culberson's journey in Major League Baseball is marked by his adaptability and steady presence on the field. Born on April 10, 1989, in Rome, Georgia, Culberson grew up with baseball in his blood, as his father, Charles Culberson, was also a professional player. Charlie was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft, setting the stage for his professional career.
Culberson made his MLB debut with the Giants on May 13, 2012. During his time with San Francisco, he played in a limited number of games, primarily serving as a second baseman. His tenure with the Giants was brief, as he was traded to the Colorado Rockies in July 2012. This trade provided Culberson with more opportunities to showcase his skills at the major league level.
With the Rockies, Culberson found himself playing multiple positions, including second base, third base, and the outfield. His versatility became one of his defining traits, allowing him to fill various roles as needed. In 2013, he played in 47 games, hitting .293 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs. The following year, he appeared in 95 games, contributing 5 home runs and 22 RBIs, while maintaining a .195 batting average.
After his stint with the Rockies, Culberson signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in November 2015. He spent most of the 2016 season with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Dodgers, but was called up to the majors later in the year. Culberson's most memorable moment with the Dodgers came during the final game of the 2016 regular season when he hit a walk-off home run against the Colorado Rockies, clinching the National League West division title for Los Angeles.
Culberson remained with the Dodgers through the 2017 season, contributing to the team's depth and appearing in the postseason. He played in the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros, where he hit a home run in Game 2 and batted .455 over the series. Despite the Dodgers' loss in the World Series, Culberson's performance was a highlight of his career.
In December 2017, Culberson was traded to the Atlanta Braves as part of a five-player deal. His time with the Braves saw him become a fan favorite, known for his clutch hitting and ability to play multiple positions. In 2018, he played in 113 games, hitting .270 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs. Culberson continued to be a valuable asset for the Braves in 2019, appearing in 108 games and maintaining a .259 batting average.
Culberson's role with the Braves diminished in 2020, as he played in only 9 games during the pandemic-shortened season. Following the 2020 season, he became a free agent and signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers in February 2021. With the Rangers, Culberson saw more playing time, appearing in 90 games and hitting .243 with 5 home runs and 22 RBIs.
Throughout his career, Culberson was known for his ability to adapt to different roles and positions on the field. His willingness to step into any situation made him a valuable player for each team he joined.
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