Willie Bloomquist
Encyclopedia
William Paul Bloomquist (born November 27, 1977 in Bremerton, Washington
) is a Major League Baseball
(MLB) utility player. He has played every position, aside from either of the battery
positions, during his MLB career.
At 5'11", 195 pounds, he is a versatile player, but is a limited contributor due to below average offense. He has above-average speed, leading him to be often used in late innings as a pinch runner
for slower players. He is used as a defensive specialist, though he does not excel at any given position.
in Port Orchard, Washington
by the Seattle Mariners
in the eighth round (237th overall) of the amateur draft, but was not signed. He was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player; other winners include Dustin Pedroia
, Ike Davis
, Paul Lo Duca
, and Barry Bonds
.
He was drafted again by the Mariners out of Arizona State University
in the third round (95th overall) of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
and signed.
The Mariners signed Bloomquist to a contract extension through the season worth $1,875,000, in 2006. On June 15, , he hit an inside-the-park home run
in Minute Maid Park
. On June 26, 2007, Bloomquist hit a lead-off home run in the second inning—on what was his 1,000th career at-bat.
.
for a player to be named later, or cash.
.
Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
) 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...
(MLB) utility player. He has played every position, aside from either of the battery
Battery (baseball)
In baseball, the term battery refers collectively to the pitcher and the catcher, who may also be called batterymen or batterymates of one another.- History :...
positions, during his MLB career.
At 5'11", 195 pounds, he is a versatile player, but is a limited contributor due to below average offense. He has above-average speed, leading him to be often used in late innings as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
for slower players. He is used as a defensive specialist, though he does not excel at any given position.
Seattle Mariners
Bloomquist was drafted out of South Kitsap High SchoolSouth Kitsap High School
South Kitsap High School is a public high school in the South Kitsap School District and is located at 425 Mitchell Ave Port Orchard, Washington.More than 2,500 students are enrolled across three grades with 125 teachers....
in Port Orchard, Washington
Port Orchard, Washington
Port Orchard is a city in and the county seat of Kitsap County, Washington, United States. It is located 13 miles due west of West Seattle and connected to Seattle and Vashon Island via the Washington State Ferries run to Southworth...
by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in the eighth round (237th overall) of the amateur draft, but was not signed. He was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player; other winners include Dustin Pedroia
Dustin Pedroia
Dustin Luis Pedroia is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Pedroia has won several awards in Major League Baseball, including the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP award...
, Ike Davis
Ike Davis
Isaac Benjamin "Ike" Davis is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the New York Mets. He and his father Ron Davis, who pitched in the majors for 11 years, are the 197th father-son combination to have both played in the major leagues.He led his high school team to three straight Arizona state...
, Paul Lo Duca
Paul Lo Duca
Paul Anthony Lo Duca is a television personality and a former Major League Baseball catcher. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Florida Marlins , New York Mets , and Washington Nationals...
, and Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
.
He was drafted again by the Mariners out of Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
in the third round (95th overall) of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
and signed.
The Mariners signed Bloomquist to a contract extension through the season worth $1,875,000, in 2006. On June 15, , he hit an inside-the-park home run
Inside-the-park home run
In baseball parlance, an inside-the-park home run, "leg home run", or "quadruple", is a play where a batter hits a home run without hitting the ball out of play.-Discussion:...
in Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
. On June 26, 2007, Bloomquist hit a lead-off home run in the second inning—on what was his 1,000th career at-bat.
Kansas City Royals
On January 9, 2009, Bloomquist signed a two-year deal with the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
Cincinnati Reds
On September 13, 2010, Bloomquist was traded to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for a player to be named later, or cash.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On January 18, 2011, Bloomquist signed a one year contract with the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
.