Charlie Culberson was a tossed into a salary dump trade last December. He was the smallest piece of a big-name exchange that the Braves and Dodgers orchestrated with finances in mind.
The Rome native has now given the Braves three wins via timely home runs. After almost playing his way off the roster in April, he’s starting – and excelling – for a first-place team.
Culberson went 2-for-25 the first month of the season. He’s hit .321 in 29 games since. He’s made 23 starts, playing left field, third base and shortstop.
“Charlie’s been doing a great job,” manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s big hit after big hit. Charlie’s a baseball player. He stays ready. It doesn’t matter the situation, he’s a guy you can go to. He could not play in a while but he stays prepared. He’s a total pro. We’re lucky to have him.”
While the Braves lauded Culberson’s versatility and defense, expectations were moderate. He’d bounced around the National League West throughout his career with the Rockies, Giants and Dodgers.
He’s never received consistent playing time. He’s making the most of it now.
“It’s timing,” Culberson said. “Getting a chance to play is great, and doing something with it is even better. Just the mindset, getting with (hitting coach Kevin) Seitzer, trying not to do to much. It’s worked out for me. I’m having fun but still trying to go out there and get better every day.”
Culberson has always managed to slip his way into the right place at the right time. He hit one of the most memorable walk-offs in Dodgers history, clinching them the 2016 NL West title in legendary broadcaster Vin Scully’s final home game.
Even last season, Culberson was 8-for-16 in the Dodgers’ playoff run. He played in 10 games and produced four extra-base hits for the team that’d eventually lose the World Series in seven games.
Culberson’s solo home run in the fifth inning Saturday proved the difference in a 1-0 win. It was his third ultimately game-winning homer of the year, with the other two walk-offs.
He’s already tied his career-high for homers. He’s the first Atlanta Brave to have two pinch-hit game-winning home runs in one season.
That, along with his easy-going personality, makes him a favorite in the clubhouse. Culberson’s perfectly fit his teammates.
“You always root for a guy like Charlie,” Snitker said. “His teammates love him, they respect him as a person, as a teammate. He’s a total pro. He has a lot of respect in that clubhouse. Consequently, guys pull for everybody out there. They’re all pitching in and pulling for each other. And Charlie’s a guy they really like.”
Matt Kemp, whom the Braves dumped in the aforementioned trade, is rejuvenated in Los Angeles. The Braves received the immediately designated-for-assignment Adrian Gonzalez, starter Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir, and Culberson.
Kazmir didn’t make the team. McCarthy has been up and down, likely losing his spot in the rotation.
