Callix Crabbe

From BR Bullpen

Callix Sadeaq Crabbe

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 5' 7", Weight 185 lb.
School Manatee Community College
High School Stone Mountain High School
Debut April 3, 2008

Born February 14, 1983 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

[edit] Biographical Information

Second baseman Callix Crabbe was the 10th major leaguer from the Virgin Islands. He's one of those rare players whose first and last names are both unique in major league baseball (there are no other big leaguers named either Callix or Crabbe).

Crabbe was taken in the 32nd round of the 2000 amateur draft by the Atlanta Braves as a draft-and-follow pick. He went on to college and was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 12th round of the 2002 amateur draft.

Crabbe debuted in the professional ranks with the Ogden Raptors, hitting .328/.407/.472 with 22 steals in 31 tries and 55 runs in 67 games. He tied two others for second in the Pioneer League in swipes, trailing only Brandon Simon, and placed sixth in batting average. He led the league's second basemen with 21 errors. In 2003, Callix batted .260/.356/.346 with the Beloit Snappers, scoring 79 runs and stealing 25 in 34 tries.

Crabbe produced at a .291/.367/.419 clip for the 2004 High Desert Mavericks with 89 runs, 34 steals (caught 11 times) and 11 triples. He tied Erick Aybar and Fred Lewis for second in the California League in triples. He led Cal League second basemen in putouts (241), assists (356) and errors (21) and made the All-Star Team as the top second baseman.

Crabbe struggled in 2005 in his AA debut with the Huntsville Stars, hitting .243/.354/.310 with 18 steals in 24 attempts. In 2006, Callix returned to Huntsville and his batting line improved to .267/.368/.345 with 32 stolen bases in 45 tries. He tied for second in the Southern League with 71 walks, trailing only Joey Votto. He was 4th in the SL in stolen bases. He led SL second basemen in assists (352) and tied Eric Patterson for the most putouts (237).

In 2007, Crabbe hit .287/.377/.435 with 9 triples and 84 runs for the Nashville Sounds. He stole 17 bases but was thrown out 14 times, tying Freddy Guzman for the league lead. It was his best OPS in five years. He tied Reggie Abercrombie and Jeff Salazar for third in the Pacific Coast League in triples.

Following the 2007 season, he was selected by the San Diego Padres in the Rule V Draft, and he made his big league debut in 2008. His first plate appearance came in the 7th inning of a 2-2 tie against the Astros as a pinch-hitter for Enrique Gonzalez. Facing Oscar Villarreal, he hit a fly ball to Carlos Lee in left.