Aaron Rifkin
Encyclopedia
Aaron Kristopher Rifkin (born March 12, 1979, in Apple Valley, California
) is a 6' 3" (192 cm) minor league
left-handed
first baseman
.
in Etiwanda, California, where he was a two-time All-Mt. Baldy League first-team selection, first-team All-Inland Valley, and an Inland Valley Senior All-Star. Rifkin batted .511 as a junior and .494 as a senior.
Rifkin spent his freshman year of college at Chapman University
, where he played right field, batted .416, set the school single-season records for doubles (26; in 44 games), total bases (130), and slugging percentage (.751), and was selected to the first-team All-Western Regional team.
He then attended California State University, Fullerton
. In 1999, he was a Big West Conference
All-Star at DH
. In 2001, he hit .300 with 16 home runs, 62 runs scored, and 60 RBIs in 65 games for the Titans during his senior season.
in the 54th round (1,479th overall) of the draft, and then by the New York Yankees
in the 4th round (125th overall) of the draft.
In 2001, he hit .318 with a .559 slugging percentage in his first pro season for the Staten Island Yankees
, was a Short-Season A All-Star
first baseman
, the Northwest League
All-Star first baseman, and the Northwest League Most Valuable Player
. He split 2002 between the Yankees High Single A and Double A teams.
In , he hit 19 home runs with 90 RBIs for the Trenton Thunder
in AA. His 7-RBI-game on August 23 tied a franchise record. He won the Hamilton Jewelers "Fan Favorite Award".
In , he hit a career-high 23 home runs for Trenton. On May 23, 2004, he was named Player of the Week
, hitting .462 (12-for-26) with two doubles and three home runs. In July he was named to the All Star team for the Eastern League Northern Division. In December 2004, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners
from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft
. On May 1, 2005, he was voted PCL
Player of the Week.
In December 2005, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs
from the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft. The Cubs then traded him to the Colorado Rockies
the same month, for a player to be named later and cash. In , he began the season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his right labrum. In , he played for the Tulsa Drillers
in AA. He hit .272 with 14 home runs, and was 5th in the league with 36 doubles and 6th with 76 RBIs, and had the highest fielding percentage (.996) of all Texas League first basemen. That winter he played in the Dominican Winter League for the Azucareros del Este
.
.
Apple Valley, California
-Climate:*On average, the warmest month is July.*The highest recorded temperature was in 2002.*On average, the coolest month is December.*The lowest recorded temperature was in 1949.*The most precipitation on average occurs in February.-History:...
) is a 6' 3" (192 cm) minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
.
High school and college
He attended Etiwanda High SchoolEtiwanda High School
Etiwanda High School is a public secondary school in Rancho Cucamonga, California. It is one of the eleven schools of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District.-History:Etiwanda High School is one of the oldest schools in the district...
in Etiwanda, California, where he was a two-time All-Mt. Baldy League first-team selection, first-team All-Inland Valley, and an Inland Valley Senior All-Star. Rifkin batted .511 as a junior and .494 as a senior.
Rifkin spent his freshman year of college at Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
, where he played right field, batted .416, set the school single-season records for doubles (26; in 44 games), total bases (130), and slugging percentage (.751), and was selected to the first-team All-Western Regional team.
He then attended California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
. In 1999, he was a Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
All-Star at DH
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
. In 2001, he hit .300 with 16 home runs, 62 runs scored, and 60 RBIs in 65 games for the Titans during his senior season.
Minor league career
He was drafted by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in the 54th round (1,479th overall) of the draft, and then by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 4th round (125th overall) of the draft.
In 2001, he hit .318 with a .559 slugging percentage in his first pro season for the Staten Island Yankees
Staten Island Yankees
The Staten Island Yankees are a minor league baseball team, located in the New York City borough of Staten Island. Nicknamed the "Baby Bombers," the Yankees are a Short-Season A classification affiliate of the New York Yankees and play in the New York - Penn League at Richmond County Bank Ballpark...
, was a Short-Season A All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
All-Star first baseman, and the Northwest League Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
. He split 2002 between the Yankees High Single A and Double A teams.
In , he hit 19 home runs with 90 RBIs for the Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
in AA. His 7-RBI-game on August 23 tied a franchise record. He won the Hamilton Jewelers "Fan Favorite Award".
In , he hit a career-high 23 home runs for Trenton. On May 23, 2004, he was named Player of the Week
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week award is a Major League Baseball award named by each of the American and National Leagues each week of the regular season...
, hitting .462 (12-for-26) with two doubles and three home runs. In July he was named to the All Star team for the Eastern League Northern Division. In December 2004, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. On May 1, 2005, he was voted PCL
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
Player of the Week.
In December 2005, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
from the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft. The Cubs then traded him to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
the same month, for a player to be named later and cash. In , he began the season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his right labrum. In , he played for the Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
in AA. He hit .272 with 14 home runs, and was 5th in the league with 36 doubles and 6th with 76 RBIs, and had the highest fielding percentage (.996) of all Texas League first basemen. That winter he played in the Dominican Winter League for the Azucareros del Este
Azucareros del Este
The Toros del Este are a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League established in . Based in the eastern city of La Romana, the Toros have reached four championship series in their history, winning the title in and 2011....
.
Family
He is married, and has a child. His mother teaches at Etiwanda Intermediate School in Rancho Cucamonga, CaliforniaRancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga is a suburban city in San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,269, up from 127,743 at the 2000 census. L. Dennis Michael was elected as Mayor on November 2, 2010. Jack Lam is the City Manager...
.