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Logan Forsythe

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Logan Forsythe
Forsythe with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017
Second baseman
Born: (1987-01-14) January 14, 1987 (age 37)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 4, 2011, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
August 25, 2020, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
Batting average.244
Home runs71
Runs batted in307
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team

John Logan Forsythe (born January 14, 1987) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Miami Marlins. While primarily a second baseman, Forsythe has played at least one game at every position except for center field and catcher.

Prior to playing professionally, Forsythe played college baseball for the University of Arkansas. He has also competed for the United States national baseball team.

Amateur career

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Forsythe playing third base for the Diamond Hogs in Baum Stadium in 2007.

Forsythe played baseball at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee, where he led his team to the 2005 state championship while batting .527 with 58 runs batted in (RBIs) and two stolen bases.[1] He was recruited by the University of Arkansas to play college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks.[2] Forsythe's mother had also attended Arkansas.[1]

Forsythe intended to take a medical redshirt in 2006, but entered a game after an early-season injury.[1] As a Freshman, he appeared in 28 games and had a batting average of .189.[3] He became the team's starting third baseman as a Sophomore[1] and improved to hit .347 in 61 games with nine home runs, 55 RBI and 18 stolen bases.[3] He led the team in hits (78), doubles (16), steals and on-base percentage (.556).[1] In post-season play, he hit .333 in the SEC baseball tournament and .267 in the Fayetteville Regional.[1]

As a Junior, he was named a third-team pre-season All-American, and also named to USA Baseball's pre-season Golden Spikes Award Watch list.[4] He played in 51 games, hitting .351 with seven homers and 34 RBI.[3] He was named to the All-Southeastern Conference first team at the conclusion of the season.[5]

Professional career

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San Diego Padres

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The San Diego Padres chose Forsythe in the supplemental first round (46th overall pick) of the 2008 MLB draft.[6] He signed with the Padres on June 5, 2008[7] for a $835,000 bonus.[3] He began his career that season in the low minors, appearing in nine games for the Arizona League Padres and three for the Eugene Emeralds.[8]

Forsythe began 2009 with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League[9] where he hit .322 in 66 games[8] and was named to the mid-season All-Star Team.[10] On June 25, 2009, he was promoted to the Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League,[10] and he hit .279 in 66 games for them.[8]

In 2010, Forsythe was switched to second base[11] and played the entire season for the Missions, hitting .253 in 107 games with 38 RBI and 17 steals.[8] He also led the league in walks, despite missing over a month with a broken hand.[11] He was invited to spring training by the Padres as a non-roster player in 2011[10] before he was assigned to the Triple-A Tucson Padres of the Pacific Coast League to begin the season.[12]

Forsythe playing for the San Diego Padres in 2011

Forsythe was called up to the MLB for the first time on May 4, 2011[13] and made his MLB debut that day, appearing as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning against Kevin Correia of the Pittsburgh Pirates and grounding out to shortstop.[14]

Forsythe was optioned and recalled three more times during the summer of 2011[10] and recorded his first MLB hit on May 28, a single to left field of Henry Rodríguez of the Washington Nationals.[15] Forsythe was mostly used as a pinch hitter or late inning defensive replacement until Chase Headley broke his pinkie and went on the disabled list in August,[16] and Forsythe took over as the regular third baseman until his 2011 season was ended by knee surgery.[11] He finished 2011 with a .213/.281/.287 line in 36 starts and 62 total games.[7]

Forsythe was a candidate to make the 2012 Opening Day roster as a utility infielder, but a broken sesamoid in his left foot required surgery during spring training and he opened the season on the disabled list.[17] After a brief stop in Triple-A, Forsythe returned to the Major League club on June 3 and became the regular second baseman. Forsythe made 73 starts at second base and also put in time at shortstop and third base.[7] He finished 2012 hitting .273/.343/.390 with 6 home runs.[7] He hit for a .313 batting average at Petco Park, the highest single-season average for any player at Petco Park with more than 110 at-bats.[18] His first major league home run was a walk-off on June 5 off of Steve Edlefsen of the San Francisco Giants.[19]

Forsythe was sidelined by plantar fasciitis in spring training and opened the 2013 season on the 60-day disabled list.[20] After a brief rehab stint with Triple-A Tucson, he was activated on June 10 when Jedd Gyorko went to the DL with a groin strain.[21] Forsythe manned second base until Gyorko returned in mid-July, and then served the club in a utility role playing shortstop, second, and third as well as both corner outfield positions. His plantar fasciitis returned at the end of the season, and he was largely limited to a pinch hitting role.[22] Forsythe batted .214/.281/.332 on the season with 6 home runs in 75 games played and 220 at-bats.[7]

Tampa Bay Rays

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Forsythe with the 2014 Tampa Bay Rays

On January 22, 2014, the Padres traded Forsythe, Brad Boxberger, Matt Lollis, Matt Andriese, and Maxx Tissenbaum to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Alex Torres and Jesse Hahn.[23]

In 2014, Forsythe slashed .223/.287/.329 with 6 home runs in 110 games with the Rays. He played First, Second, Third, Short, and Outfield in his first season with the Rays.[7]

In 2015, Forsythe had a career year. Slashing .281/.359/.444 while hitting a well-over career-high 17 home runs (previously 6) and 68 RBI (previously 26).[7] He took advantage of an increase in at-bats and become one of the Rays' offensive leaders.[24] Forsythe's numbers became even more impressive once turned into sabermetrics, the WAR measurements had Forsythe at 5.12, the second best 2nd baseman and 32nd best overall player.[25]

After the season, Forsythe signed a two-year contract with a club option for the 2018 year to return to the Rays.[26] He finished his 2016 season with a .264 batting average and a career-high 20 home runs.[7]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On January 23, 2017, the Rays traded Forsythe to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for José De León.[27] On April 19, 2017, Forsythe was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a fractured big right toe.[28] The injury kept him sidelined for 30 games, and he did not rejoin the Dodgers until May 23.[29] He struggled with his swing after his return, blaming his problems on his timing being thrown off by the injury.[30] On the season, he played in 119 games, with a .224 batting average, six home runs and 36 RBI.[7] Against right-handed pitching, he hit only .190, leading to him platooning with Chase Utley for much of the second half of the season.[30] He also played a career-high 42 games at third base,[7] filing in for Justin Turner.[31] He played in 14 of the Dodgers 15 playoff games, including all seven games of the 2017 World Series. He hit .297 with 11 hits in 37 at-bats and also walked nine times in the playoffs.[7]

The Dodgers exercised his option for the 2018 season on November 6, 2017.[31] Forsythe played 70 games with the Dodgers in 2018, batting .207 with 2 home runs and 13 RBI.

Minnesota Twins

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On July 31, 2018, Forsythe was traded to the Minnesota Twins, along with minor leaguers Devin Smeltzer and Luke Raley, for Brian Dozier.[32] In the second half of the season with the Minnesota Twins, Forsythe appeared in 50 games batting .258 with no home runs and 14 RBIs.

Texas Rangers

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On February 26, 2019, the Texas Rangers signed Forsythe to a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to spring training.[33] On March 22, 2019, the Texas Rangers announced that Forsythe had made the opening day roster as their utility infielder.[34] Forsythe hit .227/.325/.353/.678 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI over 101 games for Texas in 2019.

Philadelphia Phillies

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On February 5, 2020, Forsythe signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released on July 18, 2020.[35]

Miami Marlins

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On July 28, 2020, Forsythe signed a deal with the Miami Marlins after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies. On August 3, Forsythe was selected to the active roster. Forsythe appeared in 12 games for the Marlins, slashing .118/.211/.235[36] before being placed on the 60-day injured list with a right oblique strain and missing the remainder of the season.[37]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On May 4, 2021, Forsythe signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.[38] Forsythe hit .250/.483/.400 in 17 games with Nashville before being released on June 18.[39]

Post-playing career

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On February 26, 2024, Forsythe joined Razorback Sports Network as a TV analyst.[40]

International career

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Forsythe was selected to be part of the United States national baseball team in the summer of 2007.[41] His team placed second at the Pan American Games and third at the World Port tournament.[1]

In May 2021, Forsythe was named to the roster of the national team for the Americas Qualifying Event.[42]

Personal life

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Forsythe married longtime girlfriend Ally Atkins on November 15, 2014. The two met while they were both attending the University of Arkansas. The couple's first child, a son, was born in 2016. Their second child, a girl, was born in February 2021.[43]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "2008 Arkansas Razorbacks Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  2. ^ Focil, Andres (November 7, 2014). "Diamond Hogs Welcome 18 Newcomers for 2006 Season". Arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d "Logan Forsythe - The Baseball Cube". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  4. ^ "Arkansas' Forsythe Named To Golden Spikes Watch List." February 19, 2008. Arkansas Sports 360. Article. Archived August 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  5. ^ "Forsythe named All-SEC". Hog Sports. Associated Press. May 20, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  6. ^ Focil, Andres (November 7, 2014). "Forsythe Taken 46th Overall in MLB Draft". arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Logan Forsythe Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d "Logan Forsythe Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  9. ^ Maffei, John (June 20, 2009). "BASEBALL: Stars of tomorrow on display at Elsinore". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d "Logan Forsythe Highlights, Bio". Milb.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c "Logan Fosythe Bio". mlb.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  12. ^ Trotto, Sarah (March 30, 2011). "Tucson Padres: Roster for Triple-A club will have big-league feel". Tucson.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  13. ^ "Forsythe's Fast Track to San Diego". milb.com. December 2, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  14. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates at San Diego Padres Box Score, May 4, 2011". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals Box Score, May 28, 2011". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  16. ^ Sullivan, Jeff (August 8, 2011). "Chase Headley Injury: Padres 3B On DL With Fractured Finger". SB Nation. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  17. ^ Jenkins, Chris (March 12, 2012). "Terrible timing for Forsythe's latest injury". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  18. ^ Center, Bill (September 28, 2012). "Forsythe en route to hitting mark". The San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  19. ^ "San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres Box Score, June 5, 2012". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  20. ^ Center, Bill (March 26, 2013). "Forsythe D.L. candidate as Quentin, Cashner pass test". UTSanDiego.com. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  21. ^ Collier, Jamal (June 11, 2013). "Gyorko put on disabled list; Forsythe activated". MLB.com. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  22. ^ Center, Bill (September 13, 2013). "Forsythe's plantar fasciitis returns". UTSanDiego.com. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  23. ^ "Rays acquire Forsythe in seven-player deal with Padres | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  24. ^ "Logan Forsythe Statistics and History | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  25. ^ "MLB Wins Above Replacement - WAR - Major League Baseball - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  26. ^ Simon, Andrew (January 15, 2016). "Forsythe gets 2-year deal; Rays agree with 8". mlb.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  27. ^ Weisman, Jon (January 23, 2017). "Dodgers acquire second baseman Logan Forsythe". Dodgers.com. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  28. ^ Gurnick, Ken. "Dodgers place Forsythe, Segedin on DL". MLB. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  29. ^ Plunkett, Bill (May 23, 2017). "Dodgers' Logan Forsythe returns to lineup after missing 30 games". LA Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  30. ^ a b Stephen, Eric (November 15, 2017). "2017 Dodgers review: Logan Forsythe". SB Nation. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  31. ^ a b Stephen, Eric (November 6, 2017). "Dodgers exercise 2018 option on Logan Forsythe". SB Nation. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  32. ^ Gurnick, Ken (July 31, 2018). "Dodgers add depth in trades for Dozier, Axford". mlb.com. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  33. ^ "Rangers add IF Forsythe on minor league deal". February 26, 2019.
  34. ^ Sullivan, TR (March 22, 2019). "Jason Hammel and Logan Forsythe have been told they are on the Opening Day roster". twitter.com. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  35. ^ "Phillies Release Logan Forsythe, Francisco Liriano; Neil Walker to Make Opening Day Roster".
  36. ^ "All-Time Marlins Countdown: Chapter 19". November 5, 2020.
  37. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 8/28/20".
  38. ^ "Brewers Sign Wade LeBlanc, Logan Forsythe".
  39. ^ "Logan Forsythe: Released by Brewers".
  40. ^ "Logan Forsythe makes broadcasting debut as fill-in analyst for Arkansas baseball". wholehogsports.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  41. ^ Focil, Andres (November 7, 2014). "Logan Forsythe Selected to Team USA". arkansasrazorbakcs.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  42. ^ "Team USA Announces Olympic Qualifying Roster". usabaseball.com. May 30, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  43. ^ "Ally Forsythe, Logan's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know". Heavy. October 31, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
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