Brian Barden

Brian Barden
Barden with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Infielder
Born: (1981-04-02) April 2, 1981 (age 43)
Templeton, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: April 3, 2007, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
NPB: August 2, 2011, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Last appearance
MLB: July 2, 2010, for the Florida Marlins
NPB: October 25, 2011, for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp
MLB statistics
Batting average.211
Home runs4
Runs batted in14
NPB statistics
Batting average.281
Home runs3
Runs batted in20
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Beijing Team

Brian David Barden (born April 2, 1981) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, and Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB), and for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Early life

Barden went to St. Pius X Elementary School[citation needed] and attended St. Augustine High School in San Diego's North Park neighborhood and Oregon State University.[1] In 2001, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2][3]

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

Barden was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks on April 3, 2007, against the Colorado Rockies, grounding out as a pinch hitter. His first hit was a single to center field off Shawn Hill of the Washington Nationals on April 8. That was his only hit in 6 at-bats for the Diamondbacks in the 8 games he played for them in 2007, with the rest of his time being spent with the AAA Tucson Sidewinders.

St. Louis Cardinals

He was selected off waivers by St. Louis Cardinals on August 13, 2007.[4][5]

Barden was batting .295 with nine home runs and 35 RBI for the Cardinals' Triple-A Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds, when his season was ended as the result of being named to the 2008 USA Olympic Baseball Team.[6]

On May 5, 2009, he was named NL Rookie of the Month for April.[7]

Florida Marlins

On December 14, 2009, Barden signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins. He was added to the Major League roster on April 3, but designated for assignment on July 3, 2010.

Texas Rangers

For the 2011 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and played for the AAA Round Rock Express before opting out on July 1.[8]

Hiroshima Toyo Carp

Brian signed a 1-year contract with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball on July 18, 2011.[9] He played in 64 games and hit .281.

Los Angeles Dodgers

He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 5, 2013, and was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. He played in 123 games and hit .277, while playing primarily third base.

Piratas de Campeche

On April 1, 2014, Barden signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on April 14, 2014.

Leones de Yucatan

On March 31, 2014, Barden signed with the Leones de Yucatan of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on May 29, 2014.

Somerset Patriots

On June 10, 2014, Barden signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent after the 2014 season.

References

  1. ^ "Brian Barden Register Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  2. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "2001 Brewster Whitecaps". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ^ "Official Website of Minor League Baseball". Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  5. ^ Signed off waivers
  6. ^ "Official Website of 2008 USA Olympic Baseball Team". Archived from the original on July 7, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2008.
  7. ^ "Barden named NL Rookie of the Month: Versatile infielder ends April with .641 slugging percentage". MLB.com. May 5, 2009.
  8. ^ Mennella, Dan (July 2011). "Brian Barden Opts Out Of Contract". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  9. ^ "Hiroshima signs foreign infielder, given number 35". www.chugoku-np.co.jp. July 18, 2011.