Former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Charlie Culberson is venturing into a different role in Major League Baseball, as he aims to transition into a relief pitcher, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Culberson has agreed to a new contract with the Atlanta Braves, but this time he will be joining their minor league camp as a pitcher. While in the professional baseball world, he primarily played as an infielder and outfielder for various teams such as the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Dodgers, Braves, and Texas Rangers between 2012 and 2023. However, at the age of 35, Culberson has decided to embark on a new journey and transition into a pitching role.
Although it may appear surprising, the statistics indicate his capability to facilitate this sudden shift. With the Braves and Rangers, the 34-year-old has served as a relief pitcher on eight occasions, conceding only seven hits and managing one strikeout. He’s maintained an impressive 1.23 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, while reaching a maximum fastball speed of 94 mph.
The ex-Dodger infielder became popular in Los Angeles after he secured the 2016 National League West championship by hitting a decisive home run in a game against his previous team, the Rockies.
The home run hit by Culberson, which is considered the most crucial regular-season home run in Dodgers history by team historian Mark Langill, holds even more significance because it occurred during Vin Scully’s final home game as a broadcaster. Since that iconic moment, Culberson has played for multiple teams and has compiled a career slash line of .248/.294/.386 with 30 home runs and 145 RBIs in 586 games.
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