Corey Dickerson

Corey Dickerson
Dickerson with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 12
Outfielder
Born: (1989-05-22) May 22, 1989
McComb, Mississippi
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 22, 2013, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Batting average .284
Home runs 103
Runs batted in 311
Teams
Career highlights and awards

McKenzie Corey Dickerson (born May 22, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies from 2013 through 2015 and the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 and 2017. Dickerson was an MLB All-Star in 2017.

Amateur career

Dickerson was born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Dickerson attended Brookhaven Academy in Brookhaven, where he also starred in football and basketball. Dickerson holds the State Private School Association career and single season records for home runs with 45 over four seasons and 15 his senior year. Also, his .591 batting average and 55 runs batted in (RBIs) are both Brookhaven Academy records. Dickerson later enrolled at Meridian Community College in Meridian, Mississippi, where he played as a center fielder and was the leadoff hitter for the school's baseball team. During his freshman season at Meridian, Dickerson hit .459 with 21 home runs.[1][2]

Professional career

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies selected Dickerson in the eighth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.[3] The Rockies had also drafted him in the 29th round in 2009, but he did not sign.

On June 3, 2011 while playing with the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, Dickerson recorded 10 RBIs on three home runs. It was tied for the most RBIs in a single game in South Atlantic League history, a record that stood for 33 years.[4] In 2012, Dickerson played for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League.[5]

Dickerson with the Colorado Rockies in 2013

Prior to the 2013 season, MLB named him the 16th best prospect in the Rockies system. The Rockies promoted Dickerson to the major leagues on June 21, 2013.[6] Dickerson made his debut the next day at Nationals Park where he picked up his first two career hits, both doubles, and his first career RBI as the Rockies beat the Washington Nationals.

On July 28, 2013, Dickerson hit his first career home run off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Donovan Hand, in a Rockies victory.[7] Dickerson began the 2014 season with the Rockies, but was optioned to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League on April 9 when Boone Logan was activated from the disabled list.[8]

On June 18, 2014, in a game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dickerson was the only batter to reach base safely during Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter, reaching on an error.

Dickerson suffered two broken ribs while diving for a catch on June 30, 2015.[9]

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 28, 2016, Dickerson was traded, along with Kevin Padlo, to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitchers Jake McGee and Germán Márquez.[10] In 2016, Dickerson's first season away from Coors Field, he saw nearly all his offensive numbers drop, specifically his average, which dropped to a career low .245, while his power number still stayed somewhat steady, his consistency dropped off. He spent most of his time as the DH and Left Fielder.[11]

In 2017, Dickerson's play was completely transformed, surprisingly finding a home in the leadoff spot. His turn around led him to a crisp .325/.367/.569 line with 17 home runs at the all star break, leading the DH position in nearly every category. His outstanding numbers led him to beat out incumbent Nelson Cruz for the Starting DH spot in the all-star game,[12] being the first Ray to start the game since 2010 (Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, David Price).[13] Despite a hot first half, Dickerson's performance waned in the second half. Dickerson ended 2017 with a .282 average and 27 home runs.[14]

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Rays designated Dickerson for assignment on February 17, 2018.[15] On February 22, they traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Daniel Hudson, Tristan Gray, and cash considerations.[16]

On April 26, 2018, Dickerson hit his first career walk-off home run off of Alex Wilson. It proved to be the only offense of the game as the Pirates won over the Tigers 1-0.[17]

Personal life

Dickerson and his wife, Beth Anne, had a son, Davis, in 2014.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Corey Dickerson: From Brookhaven to Meridian". The Sporting Spirit Weblog. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ "8th Round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Tourists' Dickerson ties Sally RBI mark - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Corey Dickerson hits home run for Double-A Tulsa; Arenado has 2 hits". On the Rox. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Corey Dickerson promoted to big leagues with Rockies". On the Rox. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Hand impresses in Brewers' 6-5 loss to Rockies". denverpost.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Rockies send Corey Dickerson to Triple-A; Boone Logan comes off the DL". denverpost.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Corey Dickerson ready to hit, but Rockies not rushing him back". On the Rox. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  10. ↑ Harding, Thomas (January 28, 2016). "Rockies to receive reliever McGee in four-player swap". MLB.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Corey Dickerson Stats, Fantasy & News". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved 2017-07-26.
  12. ↑ "MLB All-Star Game 2017: Corey Dickerson selected as AL designated hitter". DRaysBay. Retrieved 2017-07-26.
  13. ↑ "Rays All-Stars". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved 2017-07-26.
  14. ↑ "Corey Dickerson". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  15. ↑ Chastain, Bill (February 17, 2018). "Rays get Cron from Halos; Odorizzi to Twins". MLB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Pirates add Corey Dickerson to outfield in three-player trade with Rays". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Corey Dickerson hits walk-off HR as Pirates win 1-0 over Tigers". MLB. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Native returns as grand marshal - Daily Leader". dailyleader.com. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
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