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Alex Dickerson

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Alex Dickerson
Dickerson with theChunichi Dragonsin 2024
Chunichi Dragons – No. 94
Left fielder
Born:(1990-05-26)May 26, 1990(age 34)
Poway, California,U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Professional debut
MLB:August 6, 2015, for the San Diego Padres
MLB:March 29, 2024, for the Chunichi Dragons
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.255
Home runs40
Runs batted in132
NPB statistics
(through March 29, 2024)
Batting average.333
Home runs0
Runs batted in0
Teams

Alexander Ross Dickerson(born May 26, 1990), nicknamed "Grandpa",[1]is an Americanprofessional baseballleft fielderfor theChunichi DragonsofNippon Professional Baseball(NPB). He has previously played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theSan Diego Padres,San Francisco Giants,andAtlanta Braves.

In college atIndiana Universityhe was a unanimous selection as the 2010Big Ten Conference Baseball Player of the Year.Dickerson was drafted by thePittsburgh Piratesin the third round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft.He was the 2012Florida State League Player of the Year,2013Eastern LeagueRookie of the Year, and 2015Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year.He made his MLB debut with theSan Diego Padresin 2015. He underwentTommy John surgeryin 2018. Dickerson played forTeam Israelin the2023 World Baseball Classic.

Amateur career

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Dickerson attendedPoway High SchoolinPoway, California,and played on the baseball team as afirst basemanandoutfielder.He batted.354/.420/.686 as a junior,.455/.522/.851 as a senior, and was named All-San Diego Division I Player of the Year.[2]At the age of fifteen Dickerson underwent back surgery, and first became known by the nickname Grandpa.[3][4]

TheWashington Nationalsselected Dickerson in the 48th round of the2008 Major League Baseball draft.He elected, however, to attendIndiana University,where he played outfield anddesignated hitterfor theIndiana Hoosiers baseballteam from 2009 to 2011.[5][6]As a freshman, battingcleanup,Dickerson hit.370/.428/.618 with 14home runs.He was named theBig Ten Conference'sFreshman of the Yearand received FreshmanAll-Americanhonors.[6][7][8]

Dickerson had a breakout season as a sophomore, slugging.805 (8th in the nation) and winning the Big TenTriple Crownby leading the Big Ten inbatting average(.419), home runs (24; second in the nation), andruns batted in(75).[5][6][9]He was named theBig Ten Conference Baseball Player of the Year,and earnedfirst-team All-Americanhonors.[6][9]In his junior season he batted.367/.440/.540.[10]

In 2009 and 2010, he playedcollegiate summer baseballwith theWareham Gatemenof theCape Cod Baseball League.[11][12]

Professional career

[edit]

Pittsburgh Pirates

[edit]
Dickerson with theAltoona Curvein 2013

ThePittsburgh Piratesselected Dickerson in the third round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft.After signing for asigning bonusof $380,700,[citation needed]Dickerson spent most of the rest of the 2011 season with theState College Spikes,batting.313/.393/.493 with an.886 OPS (9th in theNew York-Pennsylvania League) in 150 at bats; his 16 doubles were second among all short-season batters.[13][5][14]Dickerson spent the 2012 season with theBradenton Marauders,where he batted.295/.353/.451 with 31 doubles (4th in the league), 13 home runs (7th), and 90 RBIs (2nd) in 488 at bats and was named theFlorida State League Player of the Year,a post-season All Star, and an MiLB organization All Star.[15][16][17]

Prior to the 2013 season, Dickerson was named the 7th-best first base prospect in baseball byMLB.[18]He spent 2013 with the Double-AAltoona Curve,where he moved from first base to the outfield. He batted.288/.337/.494 with 36 doubles (2nd in the league), 17 home runs, and 68 RBIs in 451 at bats and was named theEastern LeagueRookie of the Year, a post-season All Star, and an MiLB organization All Star.[19]

San Diego Padres

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On November 25, 2013, the Pirates traded Dickerson to theSan Diego PadresforJaff DeckerandMiles Mikolas.[20]Dickerson sprained his left ankle in 2014 spring training with the Padres when he stepped on a sprinkler head, and anMRIlater found a bonecystin his left heel which required surgery and abone graft.[21][22]The surgery delayed his start to the 2014 season, but he finished with 34 games with the Double-ASan Antonio Missions,batting.321/.367/.496 in 137 at bats.[23]On November 20, 2014, the Padres added Dickerson to their40-man rosterto protect him from theRule 5 draft.

Dickerson spent most of 2015 with theTriple-AEl Paso Chihuahuas,hitting.307 (10th in the league)/.374/.503 with 82 runs (3rd), 36 doubles (6th), 9 triples (2nd), 12 home runs, and 71 RBIs in 459 at bats over 125 games, including 88 starts in left field.[5][24]His performance earned him thePacific Coast League Rookie of the Year Award,and he was named a post-season All Star and an MiLB organization All Star.[16][25]

On August 6, 2015, Dickerson made his Major League debut with the San Diego Padres with a pinch-hitting appearance in the 8th inning. He was called up to replaceWill Venable,who went on paternity leave.[26]The next day, Dickerson collected his first Major League hit with a pinch single in extra innings. Dickerson returned to the Padres when rosters expanded in September.[27]A tweakedhip flexorlimited his playing opportunities,[22][28]but Dickerson appeared in eight more games as a pinch hitter, and once as a defensive substitute in left field.

Dickerson started the 2016 season in Triple-A El Paso. On May 2, the Padres recalled Dickerson from Triple-A.[29]On May 10 against theChicago CubsatWrigley Field,Dickerson hit a pinch-hitgrand slamoff ofAdam Warrenfor his first career home run and his first four career RBIs.[30]He made his first Major League start in left field the following day, but was returned to El Paso on May 14.[31]With the Chihuahuas, he continued a 28-game minor league hitting streak through the end of May.[32]On June 28, Dickerson was recalled from El Paso whenJon Jaybroke his forearm.[33]Dickerson remained as the regular left fielder for the Padres for the remainder of the season. For the season, with El Paso he batted.382/.425/.622 with 10 home runs and 51 RBIs in 217 at bats.[23]He finished the season with the Padres with a.257/.333/.455 batting line and 39 runs, 10 home runs, and 37 RBIs in 285 plate appearances. He made 65 starts in left field.

In spring training of 2017, Dickerson suffered abulging disk.After initially trying to rehab the injury, Dickerson underwent back surgery bymicrodiscectomyto remove bulging disc material in his lower back which ended his season.[34]

In spring training of 2018, while trying to come back from his back surgery, Dickerson tore hisUCLin his elbow and underwentTommy John surgery,costing him another full season.[35]He was outrighted off the roster after the season. He elected free agency on November 3, 2018, and later re-signed to a minor league deal on December 11.[36]

Playing for AAA El Paso in 2019, he hit.372/.469/.606 with 5 home runs and 20 RBIs in 94 at bats. Dickerson had his contract selected to the major leagues on May 3, 2019, but after 19 at bats with the Padres was designated for assignment on June 5.[23]

San Francisco Giants

[edit]

On June 10, 2019, Dickerson was traded to theSan Francisco Giantsin exchange for Franklin Van Gurp, one of the first trades with new Giants general managerFarhan Zaidi.He played seven games for the Triple-ASacramento River Cats.[23]On June 21, in his first game with the Giants, he hit agrand slamand had a career-high 6runs batted in.[37]With the Giants in 2019, he batted.290/.351/.529 with 28 runs, 6 home runs, and 26 RBIs in 155 at bats.[23]

On September 1, 2020, Dickerson had a historic game which came as part of a 23–5 victory against the Rockies atCoors Field.He went 5–6 with 3 home runs and 2 doubles and tied the franchise records for runs scored (5) and total bases (16) in a game. His double in his last at bat traveled 414 feet and would have been a home run in any other MLB ballpark; thus he fell just short of tying Willie Mays' 4 home runs in a single game.[38]In 2020 he batted.298/.371/.576 with 28 runs, 10 home runs, and 27 RBIs in 151 at bats. He played 41 games in left field, and 5 games in right field.[39]

Avoiding arbitration, Dickerson and the Giants agreed on a $2.1 million salary for the 2021 season.[40]During the season, he was on the injured list three times, with right shoulder, upper back, and right hamstring issues. In the 2021 regular season, he batted.233/.304/.420 with a career-high 13 home runs and 38 RBIs in 283 at bats.[39]He played 82 games in left field, and his range factor per 9 innings of 1.78 was the fifth-best in the National League.[39]

On November 22, 2021, Dickerson was designated for assignment by the Giants to make room for pitcherAnthony DeSclafani.[41]On November 26, 2021, he was placed on unconditional release waivers.[42]

Atlanta Braves

[edit]

On March 16, 2022, Dickerson signed a non-guaranteed, major-league contract worth $1 million with theAtlanta Braves.[43]The Braves designated Dickerson for assignment on April 28.[44]Two days later, Dickerson was outrighted to theGwinnett Stripers,for whom he batted.239/.305/.426 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 322 at bats, playing 40 games in right field and 20 games in left field.[45][46]He had four hits in 43 at bats for the Braves.[45]On October 17, Dickerson elected free agency.

Acereros de Monclova

[edit]

On April 8, 2023, Dickerson signed with theAcereros de Monclovaof theMexican League.[47]In 12 games, he batted.261/.333/.370 with 12 hits and 5 RBIs. He was released on May 5.[16]

Long Island Ducks

[edit]

On May 12, 2023, Dickerson signed with theLong Island Ducksof theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[48]In 115 games for the Ducks, Dickerson hit.314/.389/.576 with career–highs in home runs (26) and RBI (91).

Chunichi Dragons

[edit]

On December 22, 2023, Dickerson signed with theChunichi DragonsofNippon Professional Baseball.[49]

Team Israel; World Baseball Classic

[edit]

Dickerson played forTeam Israelin the2023 World Baseball Classicin Miami, in March 2023.[50][51][52]He is eligible through his Jewish wife.[53]He played for Team Israel manager and former All-StarIan Kinsler,and alongside All-Star outfielderJoc Pedersonand pitcherDean Kremer,among others.[51][52]He played right field and batted.250.[54]

Personal life

[edit]

Dickerson and his wife Jennifer had a son in September 2020.[55]They reside inSan Diego.[56]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^"Alex Dickerson Stats".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
  2. ^"Alex Dickerson High School Baseball Stats Poway (Poway, CA)".MaxPreps. August 6, 2019.RetrievedNovember 18,2019.
  3. ^"Alex Dickerson denied first choice nickname".August 6, 2019.RetrievedMarch 18,2022.
  4. ^"Alex Dickerson earning nickname" Grandpa "".YouTube. Bally Sports San Diego. September 2016.RetrievedMarch 18,2022.Republished as:"ALEX DICKERSON EXPLAINS HOW HE GOT THE NICKNAME 'GRANDPA'".Fox Sports.September 2016.RetrievedMarch 18,2022.
  5. ^abcd"Alex Dickerson Stats, Fantasy & News".MLB.RetrievedNovember 18,2019.
  6. ^abcd"Alex Dickerson".IUHoosiers. Archived fromthe originalon February 24, 2013.RetrievedMarch 2,2013.
  7. ^"Dickerson, Monar Lauded by Coaches".IUHoosiers.February 8, 2010.RetrievedMarch 2,2013.
  8. ^Foley, Brian (January 17, 2011)."Top 100 Countdown: 10. Alex Dickerson (Indiana)".College Baseball Daily.RetrievedNovember 18,2019.
  9. ^abEaton, Scott (May 26, 2010)."Alex Dickerson Wins Big Ten Triple Crown – Big Ten Player of the Year".gateman.org.Archived fromthe originalon January 7, 2014.RetrievedMarch 3,2013.
  10. ^"Alex Dickerson".The Baseball Cube.RetrievedDecember 20,2019.
  11. ^"#19 Alex Dickerson".pointstreak.RetrievedSeptember 23,2021.
  12. ^"Alex Dickerson".pointstreak.RetrievedSeptember 23,2021.
  13. ^"Alex Dickerson".The Baseball Cube.RetrievedNovember 18,2019.
  14. ^"Alex Dickerson".Baseball Reference.RetrievedMarch 3,2013.
  15. ^"Alex Dickerson named Florida State League Player of the Year".mlb.August 27, 2012.RetrievedMarch 3,2013.[dead link]
  16. ^abc"Alex Dickerson Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball".Milb.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
  17. ^"2012 Florida State League Batting Leaders".Baseball-Reference. January 1, 1970.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
  18. ^Mayo, Jonathan (January 27, 2013)."Prospect Watch: Top 10 first basemen".mlb.RetrievedMarch 3,2013.
  19. ^"2013 Eastern League Batting Leaders".Baseball-Reference. January 1, 1970.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
  20. ^"San Diego Padres acquire minor league first baseman/outfielder Alex Dickerson from Pirates for Mikolas, Decker".MLB.November 25, 2013.
  21. ^Brock, Corey (April 4, 2014)."Dickerson undergoes surgery for cyst on heel".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 28,2016.
  22. ^ab"Injuries behind him, Dickerson hopes for new baseball life".Pomerado News.November 20, 2018.
  23. ^abcde"Alex Dickerson Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
  24. ^"2015 Pacific Coast League Batting Leaders".Baseball-Reference. January 1, 1970.RetrievedNovember 15,2019.
  25. ^"Dickerson awarded PCL's Rookie of the Year".Triple-A Baseball, Pacific Coast League.MiLB. September 1, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 28,2016.
  26. ^"San Diego native Alex Dickerson ecstatic to make debut for hometown Padres".FoxSports.August 6, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 28,2016.
  27. ^Togerson, Derek (September 2, 2015)."Padres Expand the Big League Roster".NBCSanDiego.RetrievedFebruary 28,2016.
  28. ^Sanders, Jeff (September 9, 2015)."Dickerson running, available to pinch-hit".The San Diego Union-Tribune.RetrievedFebruary 28,2016.
  29. ^Kenney, Kirk (May 2, 2016)."Padres recall Alex Dickerson".San Diego Union-Tribune.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  30. ^Lin, Dennis (May 10, 2016)."Dickerson hits first career HR, Cubs beat Padres 8–7".San Diego Union-Tribune.RetrievedMay 10,2016.
  31. ^"Padres recall Leonel Campos, option Alex Dickerson".ESPN.May 14, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 28,2019.
  32. ^Cavadi, Wayne (May 29, 2016)."Alex Dickerson is red-hot for El Paso".SB Nation.MinorLeagueBall.RetrievedFebruary 28,2019.
  33. ^Cassavell, AJ (June 28, 2016)."Jay's forearm broken; OF placed on DL".San Diego Union-Tribune.RetrievedFebruary 28,2019.
  34. ^Ruiz, Nathan (June 24, 2017)."Padres' Dickerson opts for back surgery".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 28,2019.
  35. ^Monahan, Terry (November 20, 2018)."Injuries behind him, Dickerson hopes for new baseball life".San Diego Union-Tribune.RetrievedFebruary 28,2019.
  36. ^Byrne, Connor (December 13, 2018)."Minor MLB Transactions: 12/13/18".mlbtraderumors.RetrievedDecember 13,2018.
  37. ^Marshall, John (June 21, 2019)."Dickerson has 6 RBIs in Giants' 11–5 win over Diamondbacks".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
  38. ^"Giants' Alex Dickerson hits 480-foot home run, ties MLB record for extra-base hits in a game".September 2, 2020.
  39. ^abc"Alex Dickerson Stats".Baseball-Reference.
  40. ^Staff (December 2, 2020)."San Francisco Giants avoid arbitration, agree to one-year deal with outfielder Alex Dickerson".RetrievedAugust 19,2021.
  41. ^"Zaidi 'grateful' for what Dickerson gave Giants in three seasons".RSN.November 23, 2021.
  42. ^Adams, Steve (November 26, 2021)."Giants place Alex Dickerson on release waivers".YardBarker.RetrievedNovember 28,2021.
  43. ^"Braves sign OF Alex Dickerson".MLB.March 16, 2022.RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  44. ^"Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. back from ACL injury, leads off vs. Cubs".ESPN.Associated Press. April 28, 2022.RetrievedApril 29,2022.
  45. ^ab"Alex Dickerson Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics".Baseball-Reference.
  46. ^Toscano, Justin (April 30, 2022)."Braves keep Alex Dickerson in the organization".The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.RetrievedApril 30,2022.
  47. ^"Acereros: Alex Dickerson se integra a la pretemporada".
  48. ^"Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions".
  49. ^"[Chunichi] Acquired left-handed outfielder Dickerson. Left cannon that balances with right hitters such as Takashi Ishikawa, Hosokawa, and Nakata".news.yahoo.co.jp.RetrievedDecember 23,2023.
  50. ^"Israel reveals final WBC roster | Jewish Baseball News".
  51. ^abScott Barancik (July 21, 2022)."Israel's roster swelling with stars; Joc Pederson, Harrison Bader among recent WBC commits".Jewish Baseball News.
  52. ^ab"Israel drawn to WBC group in Miami".IAB – Israel Association of Baseball.
  53. ^"Former Giants, A's Make Brunt of Israel Baseball Roster".The San Francisco Standard.February 10, 2023.
  54. ^"The Official Site of Major League Baseball".MLB.
  55. ^Kreeger, Andrew (September 22, 2020)."SF Giants' Alex Dickerson Welcomes First Child Named Levi".
  56. ^Schulman, Henry (September 14, 2020)."Giants' Alex Dickerson reveals stress of false-positive virus test for him, pregnant wife".San Francisco Chronicle.
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