Jeff Wetherby

Jeffrey Barret Wetherby (born October 18, 1963 in Granada Hills, California, United States) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Atlanta Braves in 1989.

Prior to playing professionally, Wetherby attended Kennedy High School and then College of the Canyons and University of Southern California. He was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 10th round of the 1984 January draft, however he did not sign. He was then drafted by the Braves in the 21st round of the 1985 draft, signing.

Wetherby made his major league debut with the Braves on June 7, 1989 at the age of 25. In his first career at-bat, pinch hitting for Geronimo Berroa, Wetherby singled to drive in base runner Dale Murphy. A few days later Wetherby had pinch hits in back to back games at the Astrodome. He thus was 3 for 3 in his first three Major League at bats and all three were pinch hits. On September 2, pinch hitting for Tony Castillo, Wetherby hit his first and only career home run off of future Braves pitcher Greg Maddux. On October 1, he appeared in his final big league game.

Overall, Wetherby spent 52 games with the Braves in 1989, hitting .208 with two doubles, one triple and one home run. He was used mostly as a pinch hitter, appearing in only nine games in the field.

Despite having a short major league career, Wetherby enjoyed an eight-year minor league career. In 771 minor league games, Wetherby hit .283 with 156 doubles, 17 triples and 52 home runs. He collected 740 hits in 2,614 at-bats. In 1987 with the Greenville Braves, he hit .303 with 31 doubles, four triples and 12 home runs in 140 games.^[1]

On March 18, 1990 he was traded by the Braves with minor leaguer Miguel Sabino to the Cleveland Indians for Tommy Hinzo. He is currently a scout for the Detroit Tigers.

References