Rickie Weeks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Milwaukee Brewers — No. 23 | |
Second base | |
Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
Major League Baseball debut | |
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September 15, 2003 for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006 season) |
|
Hits | 188 |
Home runs | 21 |
Batting Average | .257 |
Teams | |
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Rickie Weeks (born 13 September 1982 in Daytona Beach, Florida) is a professional baseball player for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Weeks is a second baseman who bats and throws right-handed. A potential five-tool player, Weeks was considered a top prospect throughout college and minor league baseball. He has shown promise in four of the five tools: speed, power, average, and throwing arm. Although Weeks has not yet shown he can consistently field his position well, he played much of the 2005 season with a thumb injury. In his first full MLB season in 2005, Weeks had a batting average of .239 to go with 13 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 96 games. These similar HR/SB number are consistent with his minor league totals (playing in 209 games) of 21 home runs and 24 stolen bases. In 2006, he has greatly improved his plate discipline and batting average, and has performed well with the bat, hitting around .300 while showing power and speed. However, fielding problems continue to pose a problem for Weeks, who has led the NL in errors for much of the season.
In late July Weeks was placed on the 15 day DL for a sore wrist.
Weeks made his major league debut on September 15, 2003, soon after inking a contract which included a $3.6 million signing bonus. Weeks did not become a full-time player for the Brewers until June of 2005 when he was recalled from Nashville (AAA). Along with Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, and Ryan Braun, the Brewers hope to have an outstanding young infield for years to come. Rickie attended Southern University where he was a finalist for the 2004 Sullivan Award as the United States top amateur athlete and was a two-time All-American.
Weeks' brother Jemile Weeks was drafted by the Brewers in 2005 out of high school, although Jemile chose to attend the University of Miami instead of signing with the Brewers.
[edit] Awards
- Baseball America College Player of the Year - 2003
- Dick Howser Trophy - 2003
- Golden Spikes Award - 2003
- Rotary Smith Award - 2003
- Southwestern Athletic Conference's Most Outstanding Hitter - 2003
- Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year - 2003