Other Braves Players

I can't deprive these other important players.

Vinny Castilla #1(Third Base)

Third baseman Vinicio Soria "Vinny" Castilla was born on July 4, 1967 in Oaxaca, Mexico. His professional baseball career began in 1987, when he was signed as a non-drafted free agent by Saltillo of the Mexican League. Castilla spent three years playing shortstop for Saltillo until his contract was purchased by the Atlanta Braves in 1990.On September 1, 1991 he made his ML debut with the Braves. After spending three seasons in the Atlanta organization, he was then selected by the Colorado Rockies in the expansion draft of November, 1992. During his time with the Rockies, Castilla was a sharp fielder and posted some impressive offensive numbers, including five consecutive .300+ seasons and four seasons of 100 or more RBI. When he was playing for the Colorado Rockies, he was known as a power hitter. He was acquired by Tampa Bay Devil Rays in December 1999 in exchange for pitcher Rolando Arrojo and infielder Aaron Ledesma. Unfortunately, his offensive production declined severely during his time with the Devil Rays, and he was released by the team on May 10, 2001. Castilla was signed as a free agent just five days later by the Houston Astros. He had a productive season with Houston, batting .270 with 23 homers and 82 RBI. On December 9, 2001, Castilla signed a 2-year, $8 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. He is expected to be the Braves' starting third baseman during the 2002 season, forcing Chipper Jones' move to left field.

Awards

1995: Silver Slugger Award

1997: Silver Slugger Award

1998: Silver Slugger Award

Vinny's Career Stats

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Rafael Furcal #1(Shortstop)

Rafael Furcal was born 8/24/80 in Loma De Cabrera, D.R. and made Braves roster 3/31/2000 becoming youngest player in major leagues. Made big league debut 4/4/00 vs. Rockies, going 2 for 4 with a stolen base & a caught stealing. First ML triple 4/9. First ML double 4/23. First ML game winning hit 5/12 vs. Phillies. Tied record set in 1906 by Ty Cobb for most stolen bases by a 19 year old with #23 on 7/30 vs. Houston in Atlanta as Glavine picked up his 200th win. Broke record for most SB's by a 19 year old with #'s 24 & 25 on 8/4 vs. Cardinals as Glavine won his 201st. His first ML homerun came on Sept 2,2000 in Houston.

Awards

2000: NL Rookie Player of the Year

Rafael's Career Stats

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Marcus Giles # (Second Base)

Second baseman Marcus William Giles was born on May 18, 1978, in San Diego, California and is a 1996 graduate of Granite Hills (CA) High School. He attended Grossmont Junior College in California, where he was named Conference Player of the Year. However, due to poor grades, he only remained in college one semester. Giles was selected in the 53rd round of the 1996 draft and was signed by the Braves for a $75,000 bonus. Throughout his minor league career, he has been considered a top prospect in the Braves' organization. Due to an injury to utility infielder Kurt Abbott, Giles was promoted to the Braves from AAA Richmond on April 15, 2001. At the plate, Marcus Giles has good power and controls the strike zone well. On the basepaths, he hustles and is also a base-stealing threat. His defense, which was a serious problem in the past, is very much improved.

Marcus's Career Stats

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Wes Helms #11(First Base)

Born Wesley Ray Helms on May 12, 1976 in Gastonia, North Carolina. He attended Ashbrook (NC) High School, where he participated in both basketball and baseball. Helms was selected in the 10th round of the June 1994 draft, and his professional career began that same year with Gulf Coast of the Rookie League. He spent seven seasons in the Braves minor league. In 1998 he was MVP of AAA Richmond and led the team with 75 RBI, was second with 27 doubles, and tied for second with 124 hits and 13 homers. He was call-up to Atlanta on August 27 and hit .308 with 1 homer. He was selected to the Braves' roster in the spring of 2001 and led the Braves with 6 homers during spring training. He has spent the majority of his playing time at first base, platooning with Rico Brogna and other positions filling in on occassions.

Wes's Career Stats

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Andruw Jones #25(Center Field)

Born on April 23, 1977, in Curacao Andruw Jones started practicing baseball at age 5. In 1989 Andruw represented Curaçao in a little league tournament in Japan. By July 1983, Andruw signed with the Braves organization and by 1994 he was playing professional baseball in the Gulf Coast Rookie League. Andruw began his second season in Macon, Class A where he played a full season. While at Macon he was named Minor League Player of the Year by many associations. He made his major league debut on August 15, 1996 at the age of 19. Although his first full season wasn't a very good year, he survived it and matured as the season went along. Andruw's biggest growth year was in 1998 where he started the season as a .220 hitter and worked his way all the way back up to the .270s. He also learned the tricks of stealing bases, plus mastered the outfield and won his first Gold Glove. Under the wings of hitting coach Don Baylor, Andruw developed more patience, raising his on base percentage more than thirty points despite a batting average around the same as 1998. In October, he collected a bases loaded walk in Game 6 of the NLCS which gave the Braves a series win and sent them off to the World Series. Although the Braves had one of their more disappointing finishes in 2000, Andruw had his best season of yet. He finally reached two coveted plateaus, .300 batting average and 100 RBI, while bashing a career high thirty-six home runs. If He Wasn't A Ball Player, Andruw says he'd be working with airplanes. Andruw, like most braves players participates in charities such as: Sack Lunch Program, Iron Kids Bread, the Braves Foundation, and numerous others. While not playing baseball his time is occupied with swimming, watching/playing basketball, playing video games (his favorite is Mortal Kombat) and playing pool.

Awards

1995: USA Today, Baseball America, and Baseball Weekly Minor League Player of the Year, Braves' Hank Aaron Award.

1997: Topps Rookie All-Star team

1998: Gold Glove

1998: Gold Glove

Andruw's Career Stats

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Keith Lockhart #7(Second Base)

Keith Lockhart has been all around through his career included selected by Cincinnati Reds organization in 11th round of free-agent draft in June 2, 1986. His contract was sold by Reds organization to Tacoma, Oakland Athletics organization in February of 1992. He was granted free agency October 15, 1992. As a free agent he was signed by St. Louis Cardinals organization, December 12, 1992; by San Diego Padres organization in January 7, 1994; by Omaha, Kansas City Royals organization in November 14, 1994. He was then traded by Royals with OF Michael Tucker to Atlanta Braves for OF Jermaine Dye and P Jamie Walker on March 27, 1997 where he has been ever since. Despite becoming a rookie at 30 years of age, Keith hit .321 in 1995!! He recieved the Joe Burke Award, given to a player who has done better than what was expected. Keith has proved to be versatile as both a bench player and as a starting second baseman after Quilvio Veras was lost in July 2000

Keith's Career Stats

Dave Martinez #39(Outfield/Short Stop)

Dave Martinez, the outfielder/first baseman, was acquired by the Atlanta Braves on December 10, 2000, via free agency. He was born on September 26, 1964, in Brooklyn, NY, and attended Lake Howell High School in Maitland, FL. Martinez was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 40th round of the 1982 draft but did not sign; he was later selected by the Chicago Cubs in the secondary phase of the 1983 draft. Dave has a short quick lefthanded swing that produces decent batting averages and power to the gaps. He can play all three outfield positions and first base and is considered above average in regards to his throwing arm and defensive abilities. Martinez has good baserunning speed.

Dave's Career Stats

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Garry Sheffield #(Left Field)

Gary Antonian Sheffield was born on November 18, 1968 in Tampa, Florida. He showed talent for baseball at an early age and was an active participant in the Belmont Heights (FL) Little League. Sheffield continued playing baseball throughout his youth, and while in high school, he was named the top baseball player in the nation by Gatorade. He batted .500 and averaged a home run every four at-bats during his senior year, which earned him All-State honors. After graduation from high school, Sheffield was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round (6th overall pick) of the June 1986 free agent draft. He spent just three seasons in the minor leagues and made his major league debut with the Brewers on September 8, 1988. In addition to playing with Milwaukee, he has also spent playing time with the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins and the Los Angles Dodgers.

On January 15, 2002, the Atlanta Braves made what was perhaps one of the biggest moves in club history: they traded the popular rightfielder Brian Jordan, young lefthanded pitcher Odalis Perez, and minor league pitcher Andy Brown to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In return, they received the extremely talented yet temperamental outfielder Gary Sheffield. Sheffield is perhaps one of the most dangerous right-handed power hitters in the league, and he should assume the role of clean-up hitter and rightfielder for the Braves during the 2002 season.

Gary's Career Stats

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BJ Surhoff #15(Left Field)

Born William James Surhoff on August 4, 1964, he comes from a family of athletes. His father, Dick, played in the NBA for the New York Knicks in the early 1950s and his brother, Rich, played in the Majors for the Phillies and Rangers. He graduated from Rye (NY) High School in '82...Switched from shortstop to catcher his freshman year at UNC He earned All Atlantic Coast Conference honors three times and wa named to Baseball America's Freshman All-America Team in '83 and earned All-America honors in '84 and '85. BJ set UNC record with a .392 career batting average. He earned The Sporting News "Player of the Year" award in '85 His batting includes a .429 as a member of the '83 Pan American Team and .303 as a member of the '84 U.S. Olympic Team.

BJ's Career Stats

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