Ryan Langerhans
Encyclopedia
Ryan David Langerhans is an American
Major League Baseball
outfielder
who is currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks
. Langerhans was drafted in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
by the Atlanta Braves
. During his baseball career, Langerhans has played for the Braves, the Oakland Athletics
, the Washington Nationals
, and the Mariners.
in Round Rock, Texas
. During the 1996 season, Langerhans batted .442 and was selected to the All-State team. His next season, 1997, Langerhans batted .427 and was again selected to the All-State team. That season, Langerhans also won
11 games as a pitcher
. During his senior
season in 1998, Langerhans batted .512, was named to the All-State team, was selected as a Nike All-American, was selected to play in the 1998 Texas High School All-Star Game, and was named Texas Player of the Year. Langerhans is one of four players who attended Round Rock High School and played in the major leagues. The three other players are John Danks
, Brian Gordon
, and Travis Schlichting
. Ryan Langerhans' father, John Langerhans, was his coach while playing for the Round Rock baseball team. During his senior year, Langerhans signed a letter of intent
with the University of Texas, however, after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves, Langerhans went straight to professional baseball
.
. He batted .277 with 41 hits, 10 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, and 19 RBIs. In 1999, Langerhans was promoted to the Class-A Macon Braves of the South Atlantic League
. In 121 games, Langerhans batted .268 with 120 hits, 30 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases. In 2000, Langerhans was assigned to the Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans
of the Carolina League
. He appeared in 116 games with the Pelicans and batted .212 with 14 doubles, 7 triples, 6 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. Langerhans' 7 triples was tied for third most in the league with Choo Freeman
(7), was and behind Damione Merriman (9), and Chone Figgins
(14). Langerhans continued playing with the Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2001. He batted .287 with 30 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 22 home runs. In 2002, Langerhans was promoted to the Double-A Greenville Braves
of the Southern League
. He batted .251 with 23 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs, and 62 RBIs in 109 games.
where he did not record a hit. He was sent back down to the minors to start the 2003 season where he batted a combined .261 with 33 doubles, 4 triples, 10 home runs, and 49 RBIs between the Double-A Greenville Braves and the Triple-A Richmond Braves
. Langerhans was called-up by the Braves in September. On September 5, in his second game of the season, Langerhans got his first major league hit coming against the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
Despite making his major league debut in 2002, Langerhans did not become an everyday big-league player until 2005, getting playing time for the Braves in all three outfield positions. He is part of the group of 18 rookie players nicknamed the "Baby Braves" that Atlanta called up from its minor league system during the 2005 season.
Langerhans started 2006 as the Braves regular left fielder but a severe drop-off in his production from 2005 combined with the hot hitting of Matt Diaz resulted in a drop in Langerhans' playing time. By the end of the 2006 season, he was a platoon left-fielder, with Matt Diaz
as his right-handed partner. Scott Thorman
often also took starts from Langerhans as the left-handed part of the left-field platoon.
for a player to be named later. He played just two games for the A's, going a combined 0-for-4 with a walk and an error.
for Chris Snelling
.
for utility player Mike Morse
.
With the Mariners, Langerhans had better results hitting curve balls and sliders than fastballs and changeups, causing some speculation that this skill set could be responsible for his tendency to play in a part-time role.
He was non-tendered at the deadline to offer arbitration on December 12, 2009. On December 18, however, the Mariners re-signed Langerhans to a minor league contract.
On April 7, Langerhans was designated for assignment to make room for Jesús Colomé
.
On December 14, 2010, the Mariners again re-signed Langerhans to a minor league contract.
On May 9, 2011, Langerhans was again designated for assignment to make room for Mike Wilson.
for cash considerations.
on August 7, 2009 with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning. This was his first career walk-off homer.
-On August 25, 2009 Langerhans hit another walk-off home run against the Oakland Athletics off Craig Breslow
on a two-ball two-strike pitch with one out and one runner on with the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the tenth.
, where he also graduated from high school. In high school Langerhans improved his baseball skills and participated in cross country
. Langerhans won a Class 5A state championship with the Round Rock High School
Dragons in 1997.
The Dragons were coached by his father John, a former standout baseball player for the University of Texas, where Ryan was signed to play before signing a professional contract. Ryan hit a tournament-record three triples in the state tournament semi-final against Corpus Christi Moody before earning the win as the pitcher in the championship game against traditional Texas powerhouse Lubbock Monterey, who was coached by Bobby Moegle, the winningest coach in United States high school baseball history.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who is currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona 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...
. Langerhans was drafted in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. During his baseball career, Langerhans has played for the Braves, the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and the Mariners.
Amateur career
Langerhans attended Round Rock High SchoolRound Rock High School
Round Rock High School is a 5A high school within the Round Rock Independent School District in Round Rock, Texas. During the late 1990s, it was the largest high school in Central Texas.Five middle schools feed into this school:*Chisholm Trail Middle School...
in Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the metropolitan area. The 2010 census places the population at 99,887....
. During the 1996 season, Langerhans batted .442 and was selected to the All-State team. His next season, 1997, Langerhans batted .427 and was again selected to the All-State team. That season, Langerhans also won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
11 games as a pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. During his senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
season in 1998, Langerhans batted .512, was named to the All-State team, was selected as a Nike All-American, was selected to play in the 1998 Texas High School All-Star Game, and was named Texas Player of the Year. Langerhans is one of four players who attended Round Rock High School and played in the major leagues. The three other players are John Danks
John Danks
John William Danks is a left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball currently playing with the Chicago White Sox....
, Brian Gordon
Brian Gordon (baseball)
Brian Ernest Gordon is an American professional baseball pitcher for SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization. He has previously played for the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball....
, and Travis Schlichting
Travis Schlichting
Travis Jay Schlichting is an American baseball player. He is currently a free agent pitcher.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:...
. Ryan Langerhans' father, John Langerhans, was his coach while playing for the Round Rock baseball team. During his senior year, Langerhans signed a letter of intent
Letter of intent
A letter of intent is a document outlining an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalized. The concept is similar to a heads of agreement...
with the University of Texas, however, after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves, Langerhans went straight to professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
.
Early minor league career
Langerhans made his professional debut in 1998 with the rookie-level GCL Braves of the Gulf Coast LeagueGulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
. He batted .277 with 41 hits, 10 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, and 19 RBIs. In 1999, Langerhans was promoted to the Class-A Macon Braves of the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. In 121 games, Langerhans batted .268 with 120 hits, 30 doubles, 1 triple, 9 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases. In 2000, Langerhans was assigned to the Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
of the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. He appeared in 116 games with the Pelicans and batted .212 with 14 doubles, 7 triples, 6 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. Langerhans' 7 triples was tied for third most in the league with Choo Freeman
Choo Freeman
Raphael Deseption "Choo" Freeman on October 20, 1979 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas) is a free agent Major League Baseball outfielder.Freeman was an impressive football player in high school, setting a state record by catching 50 touchdowns for Dallas Christian High School in Mesquite, Texas and being...
(7), was and behind Damione Merriman (9), and Chone Figgins
Chone Figgins
Desmond DeChone "Chone" Figgins is an American Major League Baseball third baseman for the Seattle Mariners. Figgins is a utility player, playing all positions except catcher, pitcher, and first base.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
(14). Langerhans continued playing with the Class-A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2001. He batted .287 with 30 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 22 home runs. In 2002, Langerhans was promoted to the Double-A Greenville Braves
Greenville Braves
The Greenville Braves were an American minor league baseball franchise, based in Greenville, South Carolina, that served as the Class AA farm team of the Atlanta Braves between 1984 and 2004...
of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. He batted .251 with 23 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs, and 62 RBIs in 109 games.
Major league beginning
Langerhans was called-up to the Atlanta Braves from the Double-A Greenville Braves in April, 2002. He appeared in one game that season where he had one at-bat against the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
where he did not record a hit. He was sent back down to the minors to start the 2003 season where he batted a combined .261 with 33 doubles, 4 triples, 10 home runs, and 49 RBIs between the Double-A Greenville Braves and the Triple-A Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. Langerhans was called-up by the Braves in September. On September 5, in his second game of the season, Langerhans got his first major league hit coming against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
Despite making his major league debut in 2002, Langerhans did not become an everyday big-league player until 2005, getting playing time for the Braves in all three outfield positions. He is part of the group of 18 rookie players nicknamed the "Baby Braves" that Atlanta called up from its minor league system during the 2005 season.
Langerhans started 2006 as the Braves regular left fielder but a severe drop-off in his production from 2005 combined with the hot hitting of Matt Diaz resulted in a drop in Langerhans' playing time. By the end of the 2006 season, he was a platoon left-fielder, with Matt Diaz
Matt Diaz
Matthew Edward Diaz is a Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Atlanta Braves. He grew up in Lakeland, Florida.-Amateur career:...
as his right-handed partner. Scott Thorman
Scott Thorman
Scott Robert Thorman is a professional baseball first baseman. Thorman was drafted in the first round, 30th overall in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves...
often also took starts from Langerhans as the left-handed part of the left-field platoon.
Oakland Athletics
After a poor start to 2007 at the plate, he was traded on April 29 to the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for a player to be named later. He played just two games for the A's, going a combined 0-for-4 with a walk and an error.
Washington Nationals
On May 2, 2007 he was traded to the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
for Chris Snelling
Chris Snelling
Christopher Doyle Snelling is a former Major League Baseball outfielder of Christopher Doyle Snelling is a former [[Major League Baseball]] [[outfielder]] of Christopher Doyle Snelling is a former [[Major League Baseball]]...
.
Seattle Mariners
On June 28, he was traded to the Seattle MarinersSeattle 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...
for utility player Mike Morse
Mike Morse
Michael John Morse is a Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman for the Washington Nationals.-Professional career:...
.
With the Mariners, Langerhans had better results hitting curve balls and sliders than fastballs and changeups, causing some speculation that this skill set could be responsible for his tendency to play in a part-time role.
He was non-tendered at the deadline to offer arbitration on December 12, 2009. On December 18, however, the Mariners re-signed Langerhans to a minor league contract.
On April 7, Langerhans was designated for assignment to make room for Jesús Colomé
Jesús Colomé
Jesús Colomé de la Cruz is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Colorado Rockies organization.-Oakland Athletics:...
.
On December 14, 2010, the Mariners again re-signed Langerhans to a minor league contract.
On May 9, 2011, Langerhans was again designated for assignment to make room for Mike Wilson.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On July 29, 2011, Langerhans was traded to 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...
for cash considerations.
Special moments
-He hit a walk-off home run against J.P. HowellJ.P. Howell
James Phillip Howell is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. J.P. attended Saint Mary's School in Sacramento, California...
on August 7, 2009 with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning. This was his first career walk-off homer.
-On August 25, 2009 Langerhans hit another walk-off home run against the Oakland Athletics off Craig Breslow
Craig Breslow
Craig Andrew Breslow is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics. He throws left-handed, and is considered a lefty specialist....
on a two-ball two-strike pitch with one out and one runner on with the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the tenth.
Personal life
Langerhans and his wife, Shari, live in Round Rock, TexasRound Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the metropolitan area. The 2010 census places the population at 99,887....
, where he also graduated from high school. In high school Langerhans improved his baseball skills and participated in cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
. Langerhans won a Class 5A state championship with the Round Rock High School
Round Rock High School
Round Rock High School is a 5A high school within the Round Rock Independent School District in Round Rock, Texas. During the late 1990s, it was the largest high school in Central Texas.Five middle schools feed into this school:*Chisholm Trail Middle School...
Dragons in 1997.
The Dragons were coached by his father John, a former standout baseball player for the University of Texas, where Ryan was signed to play before signing a professional contract. Ryan hit a tournament-record three triples in the state tournament semi-final against Corpus Christi Moody before earning the win as the pitcher in the championship game against traditional Texas powerhouse Lubbock Monterey, who was coached by Bobby Moegle, the winningest coach in United States high school baseball history.