Position players pitching has developed into a much more common occurrence than years’ past, with there already being plenty of cases of this happening before the All-Star break.
In the last game of Atlanta’s game against the Philidelphia Phillies, Mike Ford took the mound as the Atlanta Braves got blown out at
Of course, Travis d’Arnaud gave us a great memory this season when Dee Strange-Gordon took the mound for the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning of the Braves’ 16-4 victory over the Washington Nationals.
Dee Strange-Gordon kills Travis d'Arnaud ⚰️🪦☠️ pic.twitter.com/s2ES9bHDhk
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 13, 2022
However, even with the recent trend of sending non-pitchers out to the mound, the Atlanta Braves have yet to break out a position player to pitch this season.
So, this begs the question.
What position players have taken the mound for the Atlanta Braves?
Mike Ford
Mike Ford became the first position player since Charlie Culberson to take the mound for the Braves, as Atlanta got blown out at Citizens Bank Park.
After the Braves gave up a whopping 12 runs in the series finale, Ford entered to finish up the game for Atlanta. He recorded the first out of his pitching career after a fly ball from Mickey Moniac.
After Darick Hall hit a two-run home run to give the Phillies a 10-run lead, Ford finished out the inning with a foul pop fly from Garrett Stubbs and a groundout from Yairo Munoz.
Despite making it through the inning, Ford finished the night with an 18.00 ERA. If he sees the mound again, he may have the chance to bring this down.
Charlie Culberson
I’d assume that if any fan of the Atlanta Braves read this headline, the first name to come to mind would be Charlie Culberson 99% of the time.
Overall, Culberson pitched in four games during his Atlanta Braves’ career, compiling a 2.70 ERA after 4 hits, an earned run, two walks and a strikeout in three and a third total innings.
Not too shabby.
His first inning pitched came against the Colorado Rockies on August 17, 2018, where he pitched the final inning of the Braves’ 11-5 loss at then-called SunTrust Park.
Despite keeping the ball in the park at the hitter-friendly stadium, Culberson picked up the first, and only, earned run of his pitching career with the Braves after a single from DJ LeMahieu scored Charlie Blackmon.
Culberson pitched twice in the 2019 season, with the first of his two appearances coming against the San Diego Padres on May 2. In the final inning of the 11-2 loss, Culberson allowed a hit and two walks while striking out Manuel Margot for his lone strikeout of the contest.
A little over two months later, Culberson pitched yet again for the Braves in their 14-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on July 18.
After his one allowed hit from Trea Turner to start off the inning, Culberson retired Adam Eaton, Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto to close out the top of the ninth.
In his final pitching appearance with the Braves, Culberson pitched the final third of an inning against the Washington Nationals in the second game of their doubleheader on September 4, 2020.
He threw just two pitches, with a fly ball to right field from Trea Turner closing out the top of the ninth for the Nationals.