Josh Rutledge, Retired
Date of Birth: 4/21/1989
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
College: University of Alabama
Josh Rutledge, retired infielder, was a top player in both high school and college. The Colorado Rockies drafted him in 2010 and he played in their minor league system from 2010 through part of 2012.
Rutledge joined the Rockies in 2012 for 73 games. He batted .274 with 76 hits, 20 doubles, and 37 RBIs in his first season in the major leagues. In 2013, he batted .235 with 67 hits in 88 games. He finished the 2014 season with 83 hits, 16 doubles, and a .269 batting average in 105 games.
On December 10, 2014, Rutledge was traded to the Los Angeles Angels. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox on July 27, 2015, for Shane Victorino. He spent most of the 2015 season in the minors, playing in just 39 games with the Red Sox.
Rutledge spent most of the 2016 season on the DL with a knee injury. He played in just 28 games with the Red Sox.
Rutledge returned to the Rockies on a minor league contract on November 23, 2016. Less than a month later, on December 8th, he was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. Rutledge spent time on the DL in 2017, limiting his playing time to just 37 games. He had 24 hits and a .224 batting average.
Rutledge became a free agent on November 2, 2017. He signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on January 25, 2018. After 18 games in the minors, he was released on June 27, 2018.
Rutledge retired at the end of the 2018 season.
Career batting statistics for Rutledge through 2018 include:
- 370 games played
- 284 hits
- 111 RBIs
- 275 strikeouts to 71 walks
- .258 batting average
Personal Life
Rutledge's wife Laura is a sports reporter for CNN.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Josh Rutledge
ESPN - Josh Rutledge