Matt Tolbert
Tolbert with the Minnesota Twins
Infielder
Born: (1982-05-04) May 4, 1982
McComb, Mississippi, U.S.
Batted: Switch
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 1, 2008, for the Minnesota Twins
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 2011, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
Batting average.230
Home runs3
Runs batted in54
Teams

Christopher Matthew Tolbert (born May 4, 1982) is an American former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Minnesota Twins from 2008 to 2011. After graduating from Centreville Academy in 2000, Tolbert attended University of Mississippi for four years; he was later drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2003 and the Twins in 2004.

Early life

Tolbert was born on May 4, 1982, in McComb, Mississippi, and grew up in Woodville, Mississippi, about one hour north of Baton Rouge.[1] Tolbert attended high school at Centreville Academy, where he played football and track and field in addition to baseball. In 1998 and 1999, Tolbert's football team won back-to-back state football championships. During his senior season, Tolbert played running back and rushed for 2,561 yards on 326 carries.[2] After graduation in 2000, Tolbert played baseball at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, for the Ole Miss Rebels. Tolbert spent his collegiate career playing shortstop and second base. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2002.[2] The following season, Tolbert was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 19th round (554th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign with the team.[3] In 2003 and 2004, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4]

Professional career

Minnesota Twins

Tolbert was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round (481st overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.[5] On March 24, 2008, it was announced that Tolbert had made the team's Opening Day roster, earning the team's last roster spot.[6] He made his major league debut on April 1, 2008 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, appearing as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and grounding out to third.[7] Tolbert got his first major league hit, a single, on April 2, 2008, in the third inning off Angels pitcher Joe Saunders.[8] On April 11, 2008, Tolbert had his first career major league RBI against Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche.[9] He played in 41 games for the Twins in 2008, batting .283 with six doubles, three triples, 6 RBI, and seven stolen bases.[10]

Following the Twins' 2009 spring training camp, Tolbert was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. On May 6, 2009, Tolbert was called up from Rochester and became the starting second baseman.[11]

Tolbert hit his first major league home run on May 21, 2009, against Chicago White Sox pitcher Jimmy Gobble. In the game, Tolbert went 3-for-6, scoring two runs and collecting 4 RBI.[12] Tolbert hit his second home run on September 22, 2009 against White Sox starter John Danks.[13]

After continuing to split time between the Twins and the minor leagues, Tolbert became a free agent on October 14, 2011.[14]

Chicago Cubs

On January 30, 2012, Tolbert signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs.[15] He spent the entire season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, batting .240 with a home run and 13 RBI in 113 games.[16]

Philadelphia Phillies

On February 6, 2013, Tolbert signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a minor league deal.[17] He played in 46 minor league games while spending most of his time with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. In those games, he hit .327 with 13 RBI.[16] After returning to the Phillies organization in 2014, Tolbert ended his playing career during the season and transitioned to coaching. He was added to the coaching staff of the Williamsport Crosscutters, Single-A affiliate of the Phillies, in July 2014.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Mandelaro, Jim (June 19, 2007). "Wings' Tolbert having a hot time at the plate". Democrat and Chronicle. p. D1.
  2. 1 2 "Matt Tolbert". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved September 8, 2011. (Note: click "bio" for more information)
  3. ↑ "19th Round of the 2003 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ "2003 Bourne Braves". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ↑ "16th Round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  6. ↑ Thesier, Kelly (March 24, 2008). "Tolbert lands final roster spot". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Guerrero, Anderson team up for five RBIs as Garland wins L.A. debut". ESPN. Associated Press. April 1, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Minnesota Twins Box Score: April 2, 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. April 2, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Box Score: April 11, 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. April 11, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Matt Tolbert Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Twins send slumping Casilla down, call up Tolbert". St. Paul Pioneer Press. May 6, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Sox Box Score: May 21, 2009". Baseball-Reference.com. May 21, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Twins go homer happy to keep pace with Tigers in Central". ESPN. Associated Press. September 22, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Twins Outright Tolbert, Repko, Slama". CBS News. October 14, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Cubs invite 21 non-roster players to Major League Spring Training". Chicago Cubs. MLB.com. January 30, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  16. 1 2 "Matt Tolbert Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  17. ↑ Matt Eddy [@MattEddyBA] (February 6, 2013). "Middle INF Matt Tolbert & OF Joe Mather jump from #Cubs to #Phillies organization as minor league free agents" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "Former Major Leaguer Matt Tolbert to Join Coaching Staff". Minor League Baseball. July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
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