| Adam LaRoche | |
|---|---|
 LaRoche with the White Sox in 2015 | |
| First baseman | |
| Born: November 6, 1979 Orange County, California | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 7, 2004, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 2, 2015, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .260 |
| Home runs | 255 |
| Runs batted in | 882 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
David Adam LaRoche (born November 6, 1979) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Between 2004 and 2015, he played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Chicago White Sox.
Early life and amateur career
edit- Fort Scott High School
- Fort Scott Community College
- Seminole State College
Professional career
editDraft and minor leagues (2000–2003)
editThe Atlanta Braves selected LaRoche in the 29th round, 880th overall, of the 2000 MLB draft.[1] He began his professional baseball career with the Appalachian League Danville Braves, where he had to readjust to hitting with a wooden bat instead of the metal he had used the previous year.[2] While scouts told LaRoche that he was more likely to reach MLB as a pitcher, he wanted to make a career as a first baseman.[3] Receiving limited playing time behind the Braves' higher-ranked prospects,[4] LaRoche batted .309 in 56 games for Danville, with seven home runs and 45 RBI in the process.[5]
After taking the offseason off from baseball, LaRoche reported to the Class A-Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League for the 2001 season.[4] On July 28, LaRoche was called upon to pitch the 19th inning of Myrtle Beach's game against the Winston-Salem Warthogs. The Pelicans took the game 3–2, with LaRoche earning the win.[6] In 126 games for Myrtle Beach, LaRoche batted .251 with seven home runs and 47 RBI.[5]
He returned to Myrtle Beach for the 2002 season.[7] After a first half in which he batted .317 with eight home runs and 45 RBI, LaRoche represented the Pelicans at the Carolina-California League All-Star Game in June.[8] He batted .336 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in Myrtle Beach before receiving a promotion to the Double-A Greenville Braves in July. The promotion would have come earlier, but LaRoche missed time with a cut on his left index finger.[9] In 45 Southern League games after his promotion, LaRoche batted .289 with four home runs and 19 RBI.[5]
- 2003 Greenville Braves
- 2003 Richmond Braves
Atlanta Braves (2004–2006)
edit- 2004
Prior to the 2005 season, LaRoche agreed to a one-year, $337,500 deal with the Braves.[10] Atlanta planned to deploy LaRoche in a platoon role, with Julio Franco receiving the majority of at-bats against left-handed pitchers.[11]
- 2005
- 2006
Pittsburgh Pirates (2007–2009)
edit- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
Boston Red Sox (2009)
editOn July 22, 2009, the Pirates traded LaRoche to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for prospects Hunter Strickland and Argenis Díaz. The move was intended to let Boston third baseman Mike Lowell rest a nagging hip injury while taking time from backup utility player Mark Kotsay.[12] A healthy Lowell, however, would prevent LaRoche from finding an everyday spot in the lineup, an unusual position for the infielder.[13] In six games with the Red Sox, LaRoche was 5-for-19 with one home run and three RBI.[14]
Second stint with Atlanta (2009)
edit
- 2009
Arizona Diamondbacks (2010)
editThe Arizona Diamondbacks signed LaRoche to a one-year, $4.5 million contract on January 15, 2010, with a mutual option for the 2011 season.[15] The signing allowed Diamondbacks prospect Brandon Allen more time to develop after struggling in MLB the previous year.[16] LaRoche, who had a reputation at this point for improving over the course of a season, instead began 2010 with a strong offensive showing, batting .283 with seven home runs and 32 RBI by the end of May.[17] Defensively, the other members of the Diamondbacks infield praised LaRoche for his ability to receive throws at first base.[18] On October 1, LaRoche drove in three runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers to record his 100th RBI, a franchise single-season record at first base.[19] LaRoche finished the year batting .261 with 25 home runs and 100 RBI in 161 games, but he also struck out 172 times, and the Diamondbacks declined their club option, making him a free agent at the end of the year.[20]
Washington Nationals (2011–2014)
edit
On January 4, 2011, the Washington Nationals signed LaRoche to a two-year, $30 million contract. While LaRoche was not as strong offensively as departing Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn, he was a defensive improvement that made his contract price more palatable for the team.[21]
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
Chicago White Sox (2015)
edit- 2015
Retirement
editPersonal life
editLaRoche was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in high school.[22]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Tortorelli, Richard (June 12, 2000). "SNU pitcher Ashlock impresses scouts". The Daily Oklahoman. p. 7C. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Spence, Shawn (July 1, 2000). "D-Braves down Pulaski, 4–2". Danville Register & Bee. pp. 1B, 3B. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Milley, Al (August 24, 2000). "Like father, like son". Danville Register & Bee. pp. 1B, 3B. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Gemaehlich, Allen (May 25, 2001). "LaRoche concentrates on first base as career begins in Braves' system". Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. pp. 4, 6. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Adam LaRoche Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Curtright, Guy (July 29, 2001). "Kozlowski outpitching bigger names at Macon". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E11. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Curtright, Guy (April 7, 2002). "Prospects brighten Macon's farewell season". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E5. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Curtright, Guy (June 16, 2002). "Hodges becoming ace at Richmond". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. D2. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Curtright, Guy (July 14, 2002). "Strong hitting boosts LaRoche". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. D11. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ O'Brien, David (February 26, 2005). "Braves tie loose ends". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. G3. Retrieved August 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ O'Brien, David (February 24, 2005). "Franco fancies playing at 50". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. D4. Retrieved August 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pirates trade LaRoche to Red Sox". ESPN. Associated Press. July 22, 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Whitmer, Michael (July 25, 2009). "Worse things have happened to LaRoche". Boston Globe. p. C6. Retrieved August 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Walker, Monique (August 1, 2009). "After tense day, Masterson will be missed". Boston Globe. p. C5. Retrieved August 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Diamondbacks, LaRoche agree on 1-year deal". Arizona Daily Star. January 16, 2010. p. B6. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Piecoro, Nick (March 1, 2010). "Allen 'happy' to learn from LaRoche". The Arizona Republic. p. C3. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gintonio, Jim (May 25, 2010). "LaRoche 'locked in'". Arizona Daily Star. p. B2. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McManaman, Bob (July 23, 2010). "Comforting effect". The Arizona Republic. p. C9. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Harris, Beth (October 2, 2010). "Ex-Wildcat's debut is a hit". Arizona Daily Star. p. B3. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "D-Backs decline LaRoche option". The Arizona Republic. Associated Press. November 3, 2010. p. C3. Retrieved August 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kilgore, Adam (February 25, 2011). "Adam LaRoche finalizes contract with Washington Nationals". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Drifting mind belies determined demeanor". Ledger-Enquirer. Associated Press. March 3, 2005. pp. B1, B3. Retrieved August 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.