Chris Britton (baseball)

Chris Britton
Britton with the San Diego Padres in 2009 spring training.
Relief pitcher
Born: (1982-12-16) December 16, 1982 (age 42)
Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 12, 2006, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 2008, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–3
Earned run average3.83
Strikeouts58
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Christopher Daniel Britton (born December 16, 1982) is an American former right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher.

High school

Britton attended Plantation High School in Florida. He was first-team All-Broward County and second team All-State.

Baseball career

Baltimore Orioles

Britton was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth round (233rd overall) of the 2001 MLB draft.[1] He spent time as a starter and reliever but was pitching exclusively out of the bullpen by 2005.[2] That year he was a Mid-Season All-Star[3] with the Frederick Keys of the Carolina League and finished the season with a 1.60 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 78.2 innings. His performance earned him Relief Pitcher of the Year as part of the inaugural This Year in Minor League Baseball Awards.[4]

Britton started the 2006 season in Double-A with the Bowie Baysox but was promoted directly to the major league club on April 12.[5] As a rookie with the Orioles, Britton made 52 relief appearances, and was 0–2 with a 3.35 ERA while allowing 46 hits and recording 41 strikeouts and 17 walks in 53.2 innings pitched.[6]

New York Yankees

On November 12, 2006, the Orioles traded Britton to the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcher Jaret Wright and $4 million.[7] He started the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but was called up on April 15, 2007, after a string of injuries to starting pitching and a pair of extra inning games.[8] He made his first appearance with the Yankees two days later, on April 17, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.[9] Britton was called up again on June 2.[10] He was recalled on August 29, 2007, with Sean Henn getting sent down to Triple-A.[11]

In 2008, Britton was first recalled on May 1.[12] He spent the season bouncing between Triple-A and the majors. On June 6, 2008, Britton was placed on the disabled list with a rib cage injury.[13]

Following the 2008 season, Britton was non-tendered by the Yankees, making him a free agent.[14]

San Diego Padres

On December 19, 2008, the Padres announced the signing of Britton to a minor league deal.[15][16] He was released on May 26 after allowing 24 runs on 39 hits in just 20.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.[17]

Independent baseball

Britton signed with the York Revolution of the Independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for the 2009 season.[18][19] He signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association for the 2010 season.[20] He was released from the Saltdogs on June 28, 2010.[21]

Weight

At 275 pounds, Britton was one of the heaviest players in baseball. The only other major leaguers who were listed as heavy or heavier at the time were CC Sabathia, Jonathan Broxton, Bobby Jenks, Adam Dunn, and Dmitri Young.

References

  1. ^ "8th Round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  2. ^ "Chris Britton Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Chris Britton Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  4. ^ "Minor League Baseball: News: 2005 MiLB Awards". December 14, 2007. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "Britton added as 'pen evolves". Baltimore Sun. April 13, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  6. ^ "Chris Britton Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Fordin, Spencer (November 12, 2006). "O's finalize deal with Yanks for Wright". Baltimore Orioles. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  8. ^ Kepner, Tyler (April 15, 2007). "Yankees Add Pavano and Mussina to Disabled List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  9. ^ "Yankees rough up Westbrook, spank Indians". ESPN. April 17, 2007. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Kepner, Tyler (June 2, 2007). "Yanks Show Some Fire in Victory at Fenway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  11. ^ Hoch, Bryan (August 28, 2007). "Notes: Britton added to bullpen". New York Yankees. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  12. ^ Kepner, Tyler (May 1, 2008). "The Yanks Add Hughes to the Disabled List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  13. ^ Price, Ed (June 6, 2008). "Britton to DL; Giese recalled". NJ.com. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  14. ^ Price, Ed (December 13, 2008). "Yankees non-tender Britton, Christian". The Star Ledger. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  15. ^ Krasovic, Tom (December 22, 2008). "Talented teams of the '90s quite different than today". Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  16. ^ "Outfielder Mench Leaves for Japan". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 25, 2008. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "Chris Britton Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Seip, Jim (June 9, 2009). "Revs sign former Yankees righty". Revs' Inside Pitch. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
  19. ^ Seip, Jim. "Revs sign former Yankees righty". York Daily Record. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "Ex-big leaguer Britton joins Saltdogs". Lincoln Saltdogs. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  21. ^ "saltdogs.com: Transactions". March 8, 2012. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2023.