Willie Calhoun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willie Calhoun |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Calhoun at Globe Life Park in Arlington in 2019
|
|||
| Free agent | |||
| Left fielder | |||
| Born: November 4, 1994 Vallejo, California, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| September 12, 2017, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
|||
| Batting average | .245 | ||
| Home runs | 39 | ||
| Runs batted in | 132 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
Willie Shawn Lamont Calhoun (born November 4, 1994) is an American professional baseball player. He plays as a left fielder and is currently a free agent. Willie has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These include the Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Angels.
Willie Calhoun played college baseball before joining the pros. He played for the University of Arizona and Yavapai College. The Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 2015 MLB draft. He made his big league debut with the Rangers in 2017. He stayed with them until 2022, when he was traded to the Giants.
Contents
Willie's Early Life and School Years
Willie Calhoun was born on November 4, 1994. He was named after his father, who worked as a corrections officer. His mother's name is Monica. Willie also has a younger sister and a younger brother.
High School Baseball Achievements
Willie went to Benicia High School in Benicia, California. He played baseball there for three years as an infielder. He was a great hitter, with a batting average of .435. He also hit 11 home runs and had 82 runs batted in (RBIs).
His skills earned him many awards. He was named Sac Joaquin All-Section in 2012 and 2013. He was also a top national prospect. The Tampa Bay Rays drafted him in 2013. However, Willie chose to play college baseball instead. He had promised to play for the Arizona Wildcats.
Playing College Baseball
Willie started playing for the University of Arizona in 2014. He played third base but had a tough season. He batted .247 and even thought about quitting baseball. That summer, he played for the Wareham Gatemen in a special league.
In 2015, he moved to Yavapai College, a community college. There, he played much better! He hit .432 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs. His 31 home runs were the most by a junior college player since Bryce Harper in 2010. After Yavapai, Calhoun planned to go to Kansas State University.
Willie's Professional Baseball Journey
Starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers chose Willie Calhoun in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB draft. He decided to sign with the Dodgers instead of going to Kansas State. He received a signing bonus of over $340,000.
Willie began his professional career with the Ogden Raptors. He was an All-Star in that league. Later, he played for the Great Lakes Loons and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. In his first year, he hit .316 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. He played second base for these teams.
Moving Up in the Minor Leagues
In 2016, Willie was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. He was chosen as an All-Star for the Texas League. He also played in the All-Star Futures Game, which features top young players. For the Drillers, he hit 27 home runs and had 88 RBIs. These numbers were among the best in the league.
After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League. He was named MVP of the Fall Stars Game. In 2017, Willie moved up to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. He continued to play well, hitting .298. He was named an All-Star for the Pacific Coast League.
Playing for the Texas Rangers
First Years with the Rangers (2017–2018)
On July 31, 2017, the Dodgers traded Willie Calhoun to the Texas Rangers. This trade also included two other players, and the Rangers sent Yu Darvish to the Dodgers. Willie then played for the Triple-A Round Rock Express. He hit .310 with them.
Between his two Triple-A teams, Willie had a fantastic year. He hit .300 with 31 home runs and 93 RBIs. He was one of the youngest players in the league. The Rangers called him up to the major leagues on September 12, 2017. He played 13 games that year, hitting .265. In 2018, he played 35 major league games, hitting .222. He also played 108 games with Round Rock, hitting .294.
Breakout Season in 2019
Willie worked hard and lost 25 pounds before the 2019 season. He started the year in Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds. On May 15, he was called up to the Rangers. He started off hitting very well, with a .435 batting average.
However, he got a leg injury and had to go on the injured list. He came back in June but was sent back to Triple-A in July. Later that month, he was called back up to the Rangers and stayed for the rest of the season. In 2019, Willie had a great year in the MLB. He hit .269 with 21 home runs and 48 RBIs in 83 games.
Challenges in 2020 and 2021
In March 2020, Willie was hit in the face by a very fast pitch during a spring training game. The impact broke his jaw, and he needed surgery. He had worn a face shield before but had stopped using it. This injury was very serious.
After recovering, Willie played 29 games in the 2020 season. He hit .190 with one home run. In 2021, he faced another injury. On June 26, he broke his forearm after being hit by another pitch. He needed surgery again. Willie finished the 2021 season hitting .250 with six home runs in 75 games.
Leaving the Rangers in 2022
In March 2022, Willie signed a $1.3 million contract with the Rangers. However, he struggled at the start of the season, hitting only .136. The Rangers sent him back to Triple-A. Willie then asked to be traded to another team. On June 5, the Rangers removed him from their main roster. He was sent to Round Rock.
Time with the San Francisco Giants
On June 23, 2022, the Rangers traded Willie Calhoun to the San Francisco Giants. He played for the Sacramento River Cats in Triple-A. The Giants called him up to the major leagues on September 12. After playing in four games, he was removed from the roster again. He then became a free agent in October.
Playing for the New York Yankees
On December 31, 2022, Willie signed a contract with the New York Yankees. He started the 2023 season in Triple-A. On April 8, 2023, he was added to the Yankees' main roster. In 44 games, he hit .239 with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs.
He later had a left quad muscle strain and spent time on the injured list. After recovering, he was removed from the roster again in July. Willie then became a free agent on August 1.
Joining the Los Angeles Angels
On December 6, 2023, Willie Calhoun signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He played for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. In 26 games, he hit .268 with one home run. On May 1, 2024, the Angels added him to their major league team.
In 68 games for the Angels, he hit .245 with five home runs and 20 RBIs. On August 16, the Angels removed him from their roster. He was sent back to Salt Lake. Willie became a free agent again on October 1.
Images for kids
-
Calhoun at Globe Life Park in Arlington in 2019
-
Calhoun with the Tulsa Drillers in 2016.
