| Chris Nelson | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Nelson with the Colorado Rockies | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: (1985-09-03)September 3, 1985 (age 40) Escondido, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 19, 2010, for the Colorado Rockies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 29, 2014, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .265 |
| Home runs | 16 |
| Runs batted in | 100 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Christopher Lars Nelson (born September 3, 1985) is an American former professionalbaseballinfielder. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theColorado Rockies from 2010 through 2013,New York Yankees in 2013, theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2013 and theSan Diego Padres in 2014.
Nelson played baseball atRedan High School inStone Mountain, Georgia. He was one of the nation's toppitching prospects before undergoingTommy John surgery following his junior season. As a senior, hebatted .552. Nelson committed to playcollege baseball atGeorgia.[1]
TheColorado Rockies selected Nelson in the first round, with the ninth overall selection, of the 2004 amateur entry draft,[2] and received the third largest signing bonus in Rockies history.[3] In July 2007, while playing for theModesto Nuts, Nelson was named Rockies Farm Player of the Month.[4]
Nelson was called up on June 18, 2010, to replaceTroy Tulowitzki, who had broken hiswrist.[5] He was expected to playsecond base, withClint Barmes moving toshortstop.
On September 9, 2010, Nelson stole home plate againstCincinnati Reds pitcherNick Masset, scoring what would be the deciding run in the Rockies' victory, their seventh straight. It was Nelson's first careerstolen base, and the first time he had stolenhome plate at any level.[6]
Though he struggled at the MLB level during the 2011 season, Nelson was announced as the third base starter along withJordan Pacheco during Spring Training in 2012. He wasdesignated for assignment on April 28, 2013.[7]
On May 1, Nelson was traded to theNew York Yankees.[8] On May 15, he was designated for assignment to make room on the roster forDavid Adams.[9]
On May 18, 2013, Nelson was claimed off waivers by theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[10] He was designated for assignment on June 10, 2013,[11] and accepted an assignment to the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees on June 13.[12] Following the trade ofAlberto Callaspo on July 31, Nelson's contract was selected from Salt Lake.[13] On August 15, he hit his first careergrand slam against Yankees relieverBoone Logan.[14] After the season, Nelson was non-tendered by the Angels, making him a free agent.[15]
On January 28, 2014, Nelson signed a minor league deal with theCincinnati Reds.[16] On June 16, 2014, Nelson was released by the Reds.[17]
On June 19, 2014, Nelson signed a minor league deal with theSan Diego Padres.[18] On July 18, 2014, Nelson was called up from Triple-A El Paso and made his Padres debut against theNew York Mets, going 2–4 with 2 RBI.[19][20] He was designated for assignment on September 2, 2014. Nelson elected free agency in October 2014.[21]
Nelson signed a minor league deal with thePhiladelphia Phillies on November 25, 2014.
Nelson signed a minor league deal with theMilwaukee Brewers on May 9, 2015. And he was released on June 17, 2015.
Nelson signed a minor league deal with theWashington Nationals on June 21, 2015. He was released by the Washington Nationals on July 25, 2015.
On February 15, 2016, Nelson signed a minor league contract to return to theColorado Rockies organization. In 69 games for the Triple–AAlbuquerque Isotopes, he batted .232/.273/.310 with three home runs and 33 RBI. Nelson elected free agency following the season on November 7.[22]
On March 21, 2017, Nelson signed with theSugar Land Skeeters of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 24 games he hit .261/.307/.359 with 2 home runs, 11 RBIs and 1 stolen base.
On May 15, 2017, Nelson signed a minor league deal with theKansas City Royals.[23]
He was named Bench Coach for theNorthwest Arkansas Naturals, AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, for the 2018 season. He was named assistant hitting coach for the 2024 season. In 2025, he was named assistant hitting coach for theACL Royals the rookie level affiliate of theKansas City Royals.
| 2008 | AFL Rising Stars |
| 2007 | Baseball America High Class A All-Star |
| 2007 | CAL Post-Season All-Star |
| 2006 | SAL Mid-Season All-Star |
· Baseball Almanac
