Kyle Andrew Kubitza (born July 15, 1990) is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels.
Kyle Kubitza | |
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![]() Kubitza with Tigres del Licey in 2015 | |
Third baseman | |
Born: Arlington, Texas, U.S. | July 15, 1990|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
June 10, 2015, for the Los Angeles Angels | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 2, 2015, for the Los Angeles Angels | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .194 |
Home runs | 0 |
Runs batted in | 1 |
Teams | |
Career
editKubitza attended Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas. He played college baseball at Texas State University for the Texas State Bobcats.[1] He hit .328 with 27 home runs during his career.
Atlanta Braves
editThe Atlanta Braves selected Kubitza in the third round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.[2] He signed with the Braves and made his professional debut that season with the Danville Braves. Kubitza played 2012 with the Rome Braves, 2013 with the Lynchburg Hillcats and 2014 with the Mississippi Braves.[1] The Braves added Kubitza to the team's 40-man roster on November 19, 2014.[3]
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
editOn January 8, 2015, the Braves traded Kubitza and Nate Hyatt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for Ricardo Sánchez.[4] He started the season with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.[5] The Angels promoted Kubitza to the major leagues on June 10, 2015.[6] He made his major league debut that day in place of David Freese, who had been injured.[7] Kubitza was optioned to the minors on June 28, having hit .214 in eleven games for the Angels.[8] Freese was placed on the disabled list on July 23, clearing a roster spot for Kubitza's return.[9] Five days later, Kubitza was sent to Salt Lake as the Angels sought to promote a backup outfielder to replace Mike Trout.[10][11] Kubitza began to play other positions during this minor league stint, and was recalled on September 8.[12][13]
Texas Rangers
editOn June 21, 2016, Kubitza was traded to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations after being designated for assignment on June 13, 2016.[14][15]
Atlanta Braves (second stint)
editOn August 12, 2016, Kubitza was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.[16] On September 2, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Gwinnett Braves.[17]
Kubitza returned to Gwinnett in 2017, playing in 92 games and hitting .241/.333/.346 with 5 home runs and 25 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[18]
Sugar Land Skeeters
editKubitza signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in early 2018.[19] Kubitza announced his retirement on July 3, 2018.[20]
Personal life
editHis brother, Austin Kubitza, played Minor League Baseball in the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners organizations as well as independent baseball.[21][22][23]
References
edit- ^ a b Pleskoff, Bernie (February 17, 2014). "Braves have versatile corner prospect in Kubitza". MLB.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ "KUBITZA, SMITH, KALENKOSKY DRAFTED IN THIRD, EIGHTH, 13TH ROUNDS OF MLB DRAFT". txstatebobcats.com. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ O'Brien, David (November 28, 2014). "Braves meet with free agent Lester". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (January 8, 2015). "Braves acquire promising lefty Sanchez from Angels". MLB.com. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ "Angels counting on Kubitza as third baseman of the future". The Orange County Register. April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- ^ Fletcher, Jeff (June 10, 2015). "Angels Notes: Kirk Nieuwenhuis designated for assignment". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ "Los Angeles Angels recall Kyle Kubitza, DFA Kirk Nieuwenhuis". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 10, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Adler, David (June 28, 2016). "Angels send Kubitza back to Triple-A". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Adler, David (July 23, 2016). "Angels recall Kubitza to help fill in at 3B". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alden (July 28, 2015). "Trout day to day, MRI on wrist comes back negative". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Moura, Pedro (June 28, 2015). "ANGELS: Kubitza sent to down to Triple-A". The Press Enterprise. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ Brown, Bubba (August 28, 2015). "For third-base prospect Kyle Kubitza, the 2015 season has been productive, if unpredictable". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alden (September 8, 2015). "Kubitza may add second base to repertoire". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ "Rangers acquire Kyle Kubitza from Angels for cash". ESPN. June 21, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alden (June 21, 2016). "Angels get cash from Rangers for Kubitza". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (August 12, 2016). "Smith's season may be over with broken thumb". MLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ "Atlanta Braves Minor League Weekend Wrap Up September 5th". housethathankbuilt.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ Eddy, Matt (November 15, 2017). "Minor League Free Agent Tracker 2017". Baseball America. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ "Skeeters 2018 Spring Training Roster Announced". Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. March 15, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ McCaughey, Bill (July 3, 2018). "Skeeters clinch playoff spot by winning first half of the season". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
- ^ "Whitecaps pitcher Austin Kubitza, who followed older brother into pros, helps team snap losing skid". MLive.com. April 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ "AirHogs Re-sign Kubitza, Mortensen". Texas AirHogs. June 21, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ "2017 transactions". American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Texas State Bobcats bio
- Kyle Kubitza on X