Nick Punto, Infield


Date of Birth: 11/8/1977
Birthplace: San Diego, California
College: Saddleback College

Nick Punto, infielder, was first drafted in 1998 by the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in the Phillies' minor league system from 1998 through most of 2003, playing in just 77 games with the Phillies from 2001 through 2003. They traded him to the Minnesota Twins in 2004.

Punto suffered from injuries in 2004 and he spent most of the season on the DL, playing in just 38 games with the Twins that season. In 2005, he played in 112 games, batting .239 with 94 hits and 18 doubles.

Punto had his best season in 2006 when he had career highs in hits (133), doubles (21), RBIs (45), and stolen bases (17). He batted .290 that year.

In 2008, Punto was again on the DL, playing in just 99 games with the Twins. After the season ended, he signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Twins. Two seasons later, he was again spending time on the DL, playing in 88 games with the Twins in 2010. He became a free agent after that season.

Punto signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in January, 2011. However, he didn't play much with the Cardinals, serving as a utility infielder in 2011 and playing in just 63 games.

In December, 2011, Punto signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. After 65 games with the team in 2012, they traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2013, he batted .255 with 75 hits in 116 games with the Dodgers.

In November, 2013, Punto signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Oakland Athletics. He finished the 2014 season with 41 hits and a .207 batting average in 73 games.

Punto was released by the Athletics on December 19, 2014. He hasn't played professional baseball since 2014.

Career batting statistics for Punto through 2014 include:

  • 1,163 games played
  • 798 hits
  • 141 doubles
  • 263 RBIs
  • 104 stolen bases
  • 651 strikeouts to 386 walks
  • .245 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Punto as an infielder through 2014 include:

  • 5 games played at first base, 408 games played at second base, 360 games played at third base, 337 games played at shortstop
  • 2,380 assists
  • 470 double plays
  • 1,342 putouts
  • 84 errors

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Nick Punto
ESPN - Nick Punto