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Eric Sogard

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Eric Sogard
Sogard batting for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019
Infielder
Born: (1986-05-22) May 22, 1986 (age 38)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 14, 2010, for the Oakland Athletics
Last MLB appearance
July 21, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Batting average.246
Home runs26
Runs batted in187
Teams

Eric Sidney Sogard (born May 22, 1986) is an Czech-American former professional baseball infielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, and Chicago Cubs.

Sogard attended Arizona State University and played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. His nickname "Nerd Power" was given to him by Athletics fans, who liked his play style and distinct glasses.[1]

Early life

Sogard's parents are Anna Vodicka Sogard and Bruce R. "Rudy" Sogard.[2] Anna was born near Prague and moved to the United States with her family when she was 12 years old.[3] Rudy was also a collegiate baseball player and set the home run record for DePauw University in 1975 while playing third base. Sogard is the brother of Alex Sogard.[2]

High school

Sogard attended Thunderbird High School in Phoenix. He played for the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies scout teams in 2002 and 2003.[2] He was the 2003 Arizona Republic's NW Valley H.S. Baseball Player of the Year, the Region Player of the Year, and 1st Team All-State shortstop. He repeated as All-State shortstop in 2004, and represented Arizona in the 2003 and 2004 Sunbelt Classic Baseball Series. Sogard broke numerous Thunderbird school batting records, including highest batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. In addition, Sogard was a star midfielder on Thunderbird's 2002 state runner-up (21–2) soccer team.

College

Sogard received both academic and athletic scholarships from Arizona State University. He was ranked as the number 7 high school prospect in Arizona in 2004. He majored in kinesiology at ASU.

Sogard was a two-time All-American as a Sun Devil in 2006 and 2007, and was a 1st Team All-Pac-10 selection both years as well. He was also the 2007 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. He played many positions in 2006 but stayed at second base for ASU in 2007. In 2006, Sogard had a slugging percentage of .625, third-best in the Pac-10, and an OPS of 1.057, fourth-best in the Pac-10.[4] In 2007, he was second in the Pac-10 in average (.394) and runs (74), and third in walks (39) and on-base percentage (.488).[4] In 2007, Sogard became one of only a few ASU players ever to hit .400 for an entire season, with at least 100 hits.[5]

Sogard finished with the 15th-highest career batting average in ASU baseball history at .371. He is a member of the ASU All-Decade Team of 2000–09.

Professional career

Sogard bunting for the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2008

San Diego Padres organization

Sogard was the first Sun Devil to be selected in the 2007 Major League draft, going in the second round, 81st overall, to the San Diego Padres.[6] With Lake Elsinore in 2008, he led the California League in doubles (42) and on-base percentage (.394).[4] He was a Baseball America High Class A All-Star, and a California League mid-season and post-season All-Star.[7] He was also selected for the Topps' Class-A All-Star Team.[8] In 2009, playing for the San Antonio Missions in AA, Scout.com ranked Sogard as one of the top hitting prospects in the Padres organization.[9] He was named a Texas League mid-season All-Star at second base/designated hitter.[7]

Oakland Athletics

Sogard with the Oakland Athletics in 2012

On January 16, 2010, Sogard was traded along with Kevin Kouzmanoff to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham.[10] In 2010, he was an MiLB.com Organization All-Star with the Oakland organization.[7] Sogard ended the 2010 season as one of Sacramento's more consistent players, earning a promotion to Oakland in September. In 2011, he was a Pacific Coast League mid-season All-Star at shortstop with Sacramento.[7] He had the highest fielding percentage in the league. He spent the second half of the season with Oakland in the majors. On August 23, 2011, Sogard hit his first career home run off then-Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colón.

The A's entered spring training in the beginning of the 2013 season with a battle over the everyday second baseman job. Sogard was put into the competition along with Scott Sizemore, who was returning after missing the entire 2012 season, Jemile Weeks, Adam Rosales, Andy Parrino, and Jed Lowrie. Lowrie was first put into the competition and promised an everyday job but instead took over everyday shortstop due to the struggles and injury of Hiroyuki Nakajima. Sogard then won the second base battle as he was the opening day starting second baseman.

Sogard finished a close second in the contest, voted on by fans, to be named the "Face of MLB" in February 2014. Mets third baseman David Wright won.[11]

In April 2016, Sogard underwent surgery on his left knee.[12] He played in only two games for the Stockton Ports on rehab assignment.[13] He was sent outright to Triple-A after the 2016 season and elected to become a free agent.[14]

Milwaukee Brewers

On December 15, 2016, Sogard signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers that included an invitation to spring training. In Sogard's first game with the Brewers, he hit a three-run home run.[15] He finished the season playing in 94 games, establishing career highs in home runs (3), walks (45) and batting average (.273). The following season, Sogard played through injury, hitting a career worst .134 in 94 at bats. He was released by the team on July 10, 2018. He resigned a minor league deal on July 27, 2018. Sogard was released again by the Brewers on September 1, 2018.

Toronto Blue Jays

Sogard with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019

On December 21, 2018, Sogard signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and was invited to spring training.[16] He battled against Richard Ureña for the utility infielder spot on the opening day roster, but was ultimately sent to Triple-A affiliate Buffalo following the conclusion of spring training.[17] Sogard had his contract selected on April 15, 2019.[18] He made his debut with the team the next day, collecting three hits in a 6–5 win over the Minnesota Twins.[19] Sogard saw success during his stint with the Blue Jays, hitting .300 and recording an OPS of .840 in 73 games.

Tampa Bay Rays

Sogard batting for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019

On July 28, 2019, the Blue Jays traded Sogard to the Rays for two players to be named later.[20] The PTBNL were later named as Edisson Gonzalez and Curtis Taylor.[21] He hit .266 in 37 games.

Return to Milwaukee

On December 20, 2019, Sogard signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers reuniting with his former team.[22] Sogard hit his first career walk-off against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 29, 2020 with a two-run home run in the ninth inning, resulting in a 7–6 victory for the Brewers.[23] He finished the shortened season hitting .209/.281/.278 with 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored in 43 games.

Chicago Cubs

On March 3, 2021, Sogard signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization that included an invitation to Spring Training.[24] On March 28, 2021, Sogard was selected to the 40-man roster.[25] Although a position player, Sogard recorded 5 pitching appearances in 2021, including 3 in a 10 game losing streak.[26] In 78 games with the Cubs, Sogard hit .249/.283/.314 with 1 home run and 12 RBI. He was designated for assignment by the Cubs on July 23.[27] He was released by the Cubs on July 28.[28]

International career

Sogard was announced as a player on the Czech Republic national baseball team’s roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was the only player on the team with MLB experience.[29]

Personal life

Sogard's younger brother, Alex, is a former professional baseball player, who is now the head baseball coach at Wright State University.[30]

Sogard married his wife Kaycee in October 2011. They have five children together.[31]

Sogard's cousin Nick Sogard plays in the Boston Red Sox' farm system.[32]

References

  1. ^ Zwolinski, Mark. "Sogard gives Blue Jays jolt of Nerd Power," The Star (Toronto, ON), Monday, April 29, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019
  2. ^ a b c thesundevils.cstv Archived June 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "(Yonhap Interview) Manager sees 'worthy role' for underdog Czechia at World Baseball Classic". February 17, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Major Leaguers - the Baseball Cube".
  5. ^ "TheSunDevils.com | Arizona State University Athletics" (PDF). thesundevils.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  6. ^ pac-10.org[dead link]
  7. ^ a b c d "Eric Sogard Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | oaklandathletics.com: Team". Archived from the original on December 10, 2010.
  8. ^ "Three Storm players among Topps All-Stars". scout.com. November 27, 2008. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  9. ^ Savage, Denis (March 9, 2009). "Tool Time: Top Hitters for Average". scout.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  10. ^ "A's Acquire 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff from San Diego". Oakland.athletics.mlb.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  11. ^ "A's Eric Sogard falls short in the Face of MLB". San Jose Mercury News. Bay Area News Group. February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  12. ^ "Eric Sogard of Oakland Athletics undergoes surgery to knee". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 21, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  13. ^ "Eric Sogard". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  14. ^ Hall, Alex (October 7, 2016). "Oakland A's roster moves: Eric Sogard, Jarrod Parker, 4 others head to free agency". Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  15. ^ Adams, Steve (December 15, 2016). "Brewers Sign Eric Sogard, Andy Oliver, Hiram Burgos To Minors Deals". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  16. ^ "Report: Jays agree to deal with UTIL Sogard". TSN.ca. December 21, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  17. ^ "Blue Jays news aplenty as spring training comes to a close". Jays Journal. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  18. ^ "Jays demote Gurriel; Borucki on 60-day IL". TSN.ca. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  19. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (April 16, 2019). "Blue Jays have more lineup decisions to make after wild win". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  20. ^ "Blue Jays bullpen ruins strong Aaron Sanchez start, Rays rally to win while also acquiring Eric Sogard". Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  21. ^ "Former UBC ace Taylor traded to Blue Jays, excited to be with 'my hometown team'".
  22. ^ "Brewers ink Smoak, Sogard to one-year deals". MLB.com.
  23. ^ McCalvy, Adam (August 29, 2020). "Sogard's walk-off HR saves a wild Hader". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  24. ^ "Cubs Sign Eric Sogard". March 3, 2021.
  25. ^ "Cubs Select Three Contracts, Designate Ildemaro Vargas". March 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Greenberg, Steve (July 5, 2021). "Cubs' 10th straight loss brings Eric Sogard to mound — again — as embarrassment escalates". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  27. ^ "Cubs Designate Eric Sogard for Assignment". July 23, 2021.
  28. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com.
  29. ^ J.J. Cooper; Kyle Glaser (February 10, 2023). "2023 Czech Republic World Baseball Classic Roster". Baseball America. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "College World Series notebook: Sogard siblings giving Mom a hard time". East Valley Tribune. June 19, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  31. ^ "Eric and Kaycee Sogards' children are too cute for words". MLB.com. September 22, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  32. ^ "Minor Disruption: Shortstop Nick Sogard can lean on family of big leaguers for support". todaynewspost.com. June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
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