Braves sign former Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske

Posted on January 6, 2010

Eric Hinske of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA on June 5, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

2002 American league Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves tonight to fill a need they had this Winter. The Braves were looking for a pinch-hitter with pop from both sides of the plate and Hinske should fill that need. Hinske, who has played in the last three World Series (Red Sox 2007, Rays 2008, Yankees 2009) hit .242 with 8 homers and 25 RBIs in 190 at-bats for the Pirates and Yankees in 2009.

Hinske was a top prospect for the Oakland A’s in 2001 when he was sent to the Toronto B;ue Jays for closer Billy Koch. Koch had a fine season for the A’s in 2002 and Hinske won the Rookie of the Year Award for the Blue Jays by hitting .279 to go along with 24 homers and 84 RBIs. A’s fans grumbled about the one that got away, but unfortunately for Hinske his career never really got going after that. He went into steady decline as a regular player the next few years and after bouncing around to many teams is now strictly a utility guy.

I wish Hinske luck in Atlanta. He is going to a great organization and will play for a classy manager in Bobby Cox. I do not feel sorry for the down slide in Hinske’s career. He has made over $17 million in the big leagues!