8 Baseball Players who Played for Braves and Rockies
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Braves and the Rockies.
Andres Galarraga
Andres Galarraga, who played from 1985 to 2004, is best known for his time as a first baseman with the Expos and Rockies. However, he also played for 5 other clubs including the Giants, Braves, Rangers, Angels and Cardinals.
Galarraga was a powerhouse at the plate, amassing over 2,300 hits, 399 home runs, and a .288 career batting average. In ’93 he led the majors with a .370 batting average and in ’96 Galarraga hit 47 home runs and led the majors with 150 RBIs.
Galarraga, nicknamed “The Big Cat” for his quick reflexes at first base, was a five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner.
Vinny Castilla
Vinny Castilla, a Mexican-born third baseman, was a key figure in Major League Baseball from 1991 to 2006. He spent most of his career with the Colorado Rockies during the ’90s, where he shone as part of the famed “Blake Street Bombers.”
Castilla was known for his power at the plate, smashing over 300 home runs in his career, including three seasons with 40 or more. He was a two-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger winner (all with the Rockies), finishing with a .276 career batting average.
Despite his power stats being somewhat influenced by Coors Field, Castilla’s ability to deliver clutch hits solidified his reputation as a top slugger in his era.
Ron Gant
Ron Gant played from 1987 to 2003 and is probably best remembered for his time with the Braves and Reds. However, Gant played for 8 teams over his 16-year career making him an extremely versatile Immaculate Grid player.
Gant brought a dynamic mix of power and speed to the game, hitting over 300 home runs and stealing more than 240 bases during his career. In 1993, Gant hit a career-high 36 home runs and drove in 117 RBIs while finishing 5th in MVP voting.
Gant was a two-time All-Star and his 30-30 seasons (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases) in 1990 and 1991 were also high points in his career. After a devastating motorcycle accident before the 1994 season, Gant made an impressive comeback, proving his resilience and further endearing him to fans.
Brad Hand
Brad Hand was selected by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He is a relief pitcher known for his quality fastball-slider combination.
Throughout his career, Hand has received several honors, including three All-Star selections in 2017, 2018, and 2019. He has also been among the league leaders in saves multiple times.
Hand has played for 9 different teams in his 13-year career (6 just in the last three seasons) including the Marlins, Padres, Indians, Nationals, Mets, Blue Jays, Phillies, Rockies and Braves.
Hand Key Stats
- All-Star (Padres, Indians)
Mike Hampton
Mike Hampton was a notable left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1993 to 2010, best known for his stints with the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.
Hampton was a two-time All-Star (Astros, Rockies) and a 5x winner of the Silver Slugger award for pitchers (Astros, Mets, Rockies, Braves). With a win-loss record of 148-115 and an ERA of 4.06, he demonstrated his pitching prowess consistently.
In addition to his pitching skills, Hampton was also known for his batting, boasting a .246 career batting average and hitting 16 home runs, both exceptional numbers for a pitcher.
Andy Ashby
Andy Ashby, a prominent player from 1991 to 2004, is best remembered for his time as a starting pitcher with the Padres, but also had stops with the Phillies, Dodgers, Rockies and Braves.
Ashby was known for his sinker and slider, winning 98 games throughout his career. His best years were with the Padres, including a standout 1998 season where he won 17 games and helped lead the team to a National League pennant.
A two-time All-Star, Ashby was a consistent and dependable pitcher, providing a solid presence in the rotation for a decade.
Jhoulys Chacin
Jhoulys Chacín started, and ended, his career with the Rockies – playing a combined 8 seasons with the club. Chacin also played for 6 other teams including the Braves, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Padres and Angels.
Chacín is known for his sinker and slider combination and finished his career with over 1100 strikeouts. His best season came in 2018 with the Milwaukee Brewers, when he won 15 games and had a 3.50 ERA with 156 strikeouts, playing a key role in the Brewers’ deep playoff run.
Denny Neagle
Denny Neagle was a notable left-handed pitcher who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1991 to 2003. He had stints with the Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Colorado Rockies.
Neagle’s career stats included a 124-92 win-loss record, a 4.24 ERA, and 1415 strikeouts in 1979.2 innings pitched. He shined in the 1997 season with the Braves, posting a 20-5 record and a 2.97 ERA, which earned him an All-Star nod and a third-place finish in the Cy Young voting.
Neagle Key Stats
- All-Star (Pirates, Braves)
- 20+ Win Season (Braves)
