Kevin Kouzmanoff has been dealt to the A’s, ending his three-year sojourn through the Major Leagues in a Padres uniform. As a rookie, the enormous expectations foisted upon him were bolstered further when he hit a grand slam in the first major league pitch he saw. Kouzmanoff, the first player in the history of baseball to accomplish the feat, was traded shortly thereafter to the Padres.
In San Diego, The Kevin Kouzmanoff Era Is Over
↵And since then, well...he’s failed to meet said expectations in some departments, but surpassed them in others. In both 2008 and 2009, his OPS+ was a tremendously average 100 -- dude could hit for power from time to time, but he struck out a lot, and his on-base percentage left a lot to be desired. Defensively, though, he can catch him some baseballs. In 2009 he recorded a .990 fielding percentage, setting an all-time single-season record for a third baseman.
↵So here’s hoping Kouzmanoff can make good on the promises that were unfairly made on his behalf. He’s already given us a few great memories, including one of my personal favorites:
↵
See More:
