Quick Facts
Biography
Craig Alan Gentry (born November 29, 1983) is an American professional baseball left fielder who is a Free Agent of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Texas Rangers from 2009 through 2013 and the Oakland Athletics in 2014 and 2015. While primarily a center fielder throughout his career due to his speed, Gentry has since transitioned to left field for the Angels.
Baseball career
Gentry attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith during his freshman and sophomore year.He then attended the University of Arkansas, where he played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team. The Texas Rangers selected him in the 10th round (298th overall) of the 2006 MLB draft.
The Rangers promoted Gentry to the majors on September 1, 2009, but did not see significant playing time. He began the 2010 season with the AAA Oklahoma City RedHawks, but was called up to the majors on April 27 due to Nelson Cruz being placed on the 15-day disabled list. On May 15, he was optioned to Oklahoma.
2011 season
In 2011, he batted .271 in 133 at-bats, with 18 steals in 18 attempts.
Gentry hit his first MLB triple on September 11 against the Oakland Athletics. A few days later, on September 23 he hit his first Major League home run, an inside-the-park home run against the Seattle Mariners. At the end of the season, he was named the Rangers' Rookie of the Year.
2012 season
In 2012, Gentry batted .304, a career high. He also hit his first outside-the-park home run, a two-run homer in left in Toronto on April 30. Gentry pitched the final inning of a 12–1 loss at the hands of the Oakland Athletics on June 4. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk.
2013 season
In 2013, Gentry hit two home runs, stole 24 bases and had an on-base percentage of .373 all career highs. He broke his left hand in June against the Oakland Athletics on a bunt attempt. Gentry was named Rangers' player of the month in September batting .354 with 10 stolen bases, 10 runs, 2 doubles, a triple and four RBI. He also won the Rangers' Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. In 102 games, he committed only two errors, had seven outfield assists, he saved 12 runs and had the best UZR of the team.
On December 3, 2013, Gentry, along with pitcher Josh Lindblom, was traded to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Michael Choice and infielder Chris Bostick.
2014 season
Gentry missed much of spring training in 2014, due to a lower back strain he suffered on the first day of workouts. Gentry played most of the season with a sore knee. On July 27, he suffered a broken right hand when hit by a pitch during a bunt attempt against the Texas Rangers. Although the injury occurred during the second inning, he played the entire game including four more plate appearances. On September 9, Gentry suffered a season-ending concussion after a collision at first base with Carlos Sanchez of the Chicago White Sox.Due to his injuries Gentry played in only 94 games. He still managed to finish the season with 20 stolen bases which made him Oakland's leader in that category.
2015 season
After hitting .120 in 50 at-bats over 26 games for the A's, Gentry was sent down to AAA. He remained in AAA for the rest of the season. He was designated for assignment after the season.
2016 season
Gentry signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on December 9, 2015. He began the 2016 season as a platoon player in LF with Daniel Nava. His struggles from 2015 continued into the 2016 season as Gentry began the season 5 for 34 at the plate and was placed on May 1st on the disabled list. On July 30th, Gentry was designated for assignment by the Angels, and released August 3, after declining an outright assignment