Andrelton Simmons, Shortstop


Date of Birth: 9/4/1989
Birthplace: Mundo-Novo, Netherlands Antilles
Nickname: Simba

Andrelton Simmons, shortstop, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2010. He spent almost three years in the Braves' minor league system, ending with a batting average of .299. He joined the Braves in 2012, playing in 49 games with them.

In 2013, his first full season in the major leagues, Simmons won a Gold Glove for his excellent fielding at shortstop. He signed a seven-year, $58 million contract with the Braves in February, 2014. He finished the 2014 season with 132 hits, 18 doubles, 46 RBIs, and a .244 batting average in 146 games.

Simmons won his second consecutive Gold Glove in 2014. In 146 games at shortstop, he had a .978 fielding percentage with 411 assists, 99 double plays, 217 putouts, and 14 errors.

In 2015, Simmons batted .265 with 142 hits, 23 doubles, and 44 RBIs in 147 games. Defensively, as a shortstop, he made 444 assists, 126 double plays, 235 putouts, and 8 errors in 147 games. He had a .988 fielding percentage.

Simmons was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on November 12, 2015. He played in 124 games with the Angels in 2016. He finished the season with 126 hits, 22 doubles, 44 RBIs, and a .281 batting average. Defensively, as the Angels' shortstop in 124 games, he made 337 assists, 82 double plays, 198 putouts, and 10 errors.

He had a good season with the Angels in 2017, batting .278 in 158 games. He had career highs in hits with 164, doubles with 38, stolen bases with 19, and RBIs with 69. He also had 14 home runs and 67 strikeouts to 47 walks. As the Angels' shortstop in 158 games, he made 436 assists, 99 double plays, 235 putouts, and 14 errors. He had a .980 fielding percentage. He won his third Gold Glove in 2017.

Simmons finished the 2018 season with 162 hits, 26 doubles, 75 RBIs, 45 strikeouts to 35 walks, and a .292 batting average in 146 games. He won his fourth Gold Glove as a shortstop. In 145 games, he made 372 assists, 114 double plays, 228 putouts, and 10 errors.

Simmons spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left ankle sprain. He finished the season with 105 hits, 19 doubles, 40 RBIs, 37 strikeouts to 24 walks, and a .264 batting average in 103 games. An excellent defensive shortstop, he won his sixth Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019. In 102 games, he made 276 assists, 56 double plays, 137 putouts, and 11 errors, and he had a .974 fielding percentage.

Simmons played in 30 games in 2020. He finished the season with 35 hits, 7 doubles, 10 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, 16 strikeouts to 8 walks, and a .297 batting average. Defensively, he was the Angels' shortstop in 30 games.

Simmons became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed with the Minnesota Twins on January 31, 2021. He finished the 2021 season with 92 hits, 31 RBIs, 62 strikeouts to 32 walks, and a .223 batting average in 131 games. Defensively, as a shortstop in 131 games, he made 322 assists, 67 double plays, 167 putouts, and 12 errors.

Simmons elected free agency on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Chicago Cubs on March 15, 2022. He was released on August 7, 2022.

Career batting statistics for Simmons through 2021 include:

  • 1,191 games played
  • 1,156 hits
  • 200 doubles
  • 70 home runs
  • 437 RBIs
  • 448 strikeouts to 297 walks
  • .265 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Simmons at shortstop through 2021 include:

  • 1,188 games played
  • 3,326 assists
  • 1,749 putouts
  • 778 double plays
  • 100 errors
  • .981 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Andrelton Simmons
ESPN - Andrelton Simmons