Justin Christian
Encyclopedia
Justin Barnett Christian (born April 3, 1980 in Lincoln, Nebraska
) is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
for the San Francisco Giants
.
in San Mateo, California
from 1995–98, where he played varsity baseball all four years.
Christian started out his college career by playing for two years at Skyline College
where he was All-Conference for both years. After earning a scholarship, Christian went to Auburn University
in Auburn, Alabama
, but transferred after missing most of the 2002 season with a torn labrum. He transferred to Southeast Missouri State University
, where he became an All-American and was voted "Newcomer of the Year." In college he mostly was an infielder. At Skyline, he was a shortstop, but was forced to move to second base at Auburn.
After going undrafted in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
, he signed with the River City Rascals
of the Frontier League
. He won the starting second base job and played 30 games during the 2003 season.
In the fall of 2003, he went back to Auburn as a student assistant coach, while trying to set up scout workout; he set up several workouts but was unsuccessful in getting signed.
He returned to the Rascals for the 2004 season where he hit .450 with 26 steals in 30 games. The New York Yankees
signed him sight-unseen. In 2004, he played on the GCL Yankees and the Staten Island Yankees
.
He started the 2005 season with the Charleston RiverDogs
where he hit .290 and was promoted to the Tampa Yankees
where he hit .306. He ended the season with a combined 55 stolen bases.
In , Christian hit .276, had 6 home run
s, 43 RBI
, and 68 stolen base
s which was 3rd in all of the minor leagues. Christian started the season with the Double-A Trenton Thunder
. He had a .235 batting average, 3 home runs, 32 runs batted in, 18 stolen bases. On June 22, 2007, Christian was called up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he hit .325. Overall he hit .271 on the year.
On June 24, , Christian was promoted to the major league roster by the New York Yankees prior to their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. He started the same day, going two for four with a double
and two RBI in his Major League debut.
On July 8, 2008, Christian stole a base for the first time in the major leagues, stealing third base off of Tampa Bay Rays
relief pitcher Grant Balfour
and catcher Dioner Navarro
. The lone times that Christian was caught stealing, he had fallen down in between first and second base, and when he was caught leading far off first.
Following the 2008 season, Christian was non-tendered by the Yankees, making him a free agent. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Baltimore Orioles on January 13, .
On May 7, 2010 he signed out of the Independent Atlantic League with the New York Yankees and was assigned to their Double-A affiliate Trenton Thunder
. He had been playing for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
. He broke Kevin Thompson
's franchise record for stolen bases. He was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on September 6.
On February 6, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants
. On September 6, 2011, the San Francisco Giants
purchased his contract and he was called up to the major league squad.
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
for the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
Baseball career
Christian attended Aragon High SchoolAragon High School
Aragon High School is an American public high school in San Mateo, California, and is part of the San Mateo Union High School District . It is located in San Mateo County, a large suburb just outside San Francisco...
in San Mateo, California
San Mateo, California
San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of approximately 100,000 , it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south,...
from 1995–98, where he played varsity baseball all four years.
Christian started out his college career by playing for two years at Skyline College
Skyline College
Skyline College is a community college that is located in San Mateo County, California, within the limits of the city of San Bruno, California, south of San Francisco...
where he was All-Conference for both years. After earning a scholarship, Christian went to Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
in Auburn, Alabama
Auburn, Alabama
Auburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is the largest city in eastern Alabama with a 2010 population of 53,380. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area...
, but transferred after missing most of the 2002 season with a torn labrum. He transferred to Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University, is a public, accredited university located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States, near the banks of the Mississippi River. The institution, having started as a normal school, has a traditional strength in teacher education...
, where he became an All-American and was voted "Newcomer of the Year." In college he mostly was an infielder. At Skyline, he was a shortstop, but was forced to move to second base at Auburn.
After going undrafted in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
, he signed with the River City Rascals
River City Rascals
The River City Rascals are a professional baseball team based in O'Fallon, Missouri, in the United States. The Rascals are a member of the West Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 1999 season to the present, the Rascals have played their...
of the Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
. He won the starting second base job and played 30 games during the 2003 season.
In the fall of 2003, he went back to Auburn as a student assistant coach, while trying to set up scout workout; he set up several workouts but was unsuccessful in getting signed.
He returned to the Rascals for the 2004 season where he hit .450 with 26 steals in 30 games. The New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
signed him sight-unseen. In 2004, he played on the GCL Yankees and the Staten Island Yankees
Staten Island Yankees
The Staten Island Yankees are a minor league baseball team, located in the New York City borough of Staten Island. Nicknamed the "Baby Bombers," the Yankees are a Short-Season A classification affiliate of the New York Yankees and play in the New York - Penn League at Richmond County Bank Ballpark...
.
He started the 2005 season with the Charleston RiverDogs
Charleston RiverDogs
The Charleston RiverDogs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Charleston, South Carolina. They play in the class A South Atlantic League and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees. Their home stadium is at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park...
where he hit .290 and was promoted to the Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
where he hit .306. He ended the season with a combined 55 stolen bases.
In , Christian hit .276, had 6 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 43 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, and 68 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s which was 3rd in all of the minor leagues. Christian started the season with the Double-A Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
. He had a .235 batting average, 3 home runs, 32 runs batted in, 18 stolen bases. On June 22, 2007, Christian was called up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he hit .325. Overall he hit .271 on the year.
On June 24, , Christian was promoted to the major league roster by the New York Yankees prior to their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He started the same day, going two for four with a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and two RBI in his Major League debut.
On July 8, 2008, Christian stole a base for the first time in the major leagues, stealing third base off of Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
relief pitcher Grant Balfour
Grant Balfour
Grant Robert Balfour is a relief pitcher who plays for the Oakland Athletics. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers.-Early life:...
and catcher Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
. The lone times that Christian was caught stealing, he had fallen down in between first and second base, and when he was caught leading far off first.
Following the 2008 season, Christian was non-tendered by the Yankees, making him a free agent. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Baltimore Orioles on January 13, .
On May 7, 2010 he signed out of the Independent Atlantic League with the New York Yankees and was assigned to their Double-A affiliate Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
. He had been playing for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2008 season...
. He broke Kevin Thompson
Kevin Thompson (baseball)
Kevin DeShawn Thompson is a professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free-agent.-Early life:...
's franchise record for stolen bases. He was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on September 6.
On February 6, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. On September 6, 2011, the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
purchased his contract and he was called up to the major league squad.