Chris Denorfia

Christopher Anthony Denorfia (born July 15, 1980) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and coach.

He currently serves as the manager for the Hartford Yard Goats, who are the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB), following a playing career that includes stints with the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago Cubs.

He has played for the Italy national baseball team.

Denorfia was born in Bristol, Connecticut, and is of Italian descent.

Growing up in Southington, Connecticut, Denorfia attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut.

A self-described "late bloomer", Denorfia played second base before having a growth spurt his junior year at the age of 16.

Denorfia later attended Division III Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, where he earned a degree, double majoring in international relations and Hispanic studies.

At Wheaton, Denorfia was converted from shortstop to the outfield, and hit .467 during his senior year, drawing the attention of major league scouts.

Denorfia's .467 batting average, along with several other impressive statistics, broke school records at Wheaton.

The Cincinnati Reds selected Denorfia in the 19th round of the 2002 MLB draft.

Denorfia first reached the Major Leagues with the Reds in 2005 in the September roster expansion.

He also appeared in 49 games with Cincinnati in 2006, moving back and forth between the big league club and the Triple-A Louisville Bats.

Denorfia had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in March 2007 after tearing a ligament during an exhibition game.

On April 27, 2007, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Marcus McBeth, Ben Jukich, and cash.

He missed the entire 2007 season as a result of the surgery, but returned in 2008, making Oakland's Opening Day roster.

Denorfia played center and left field before being placed on the disabled list with back tightness in early May.

He rehabbed with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats and did not return to the Major League team until September.

He finished the year batting .290 in 62 at-bats.

After Oakland's 2009 spring training camp, Denorfia was sent to Sacramento where he played 107 games across all three outfield positions.

He appeared in only four games for the Major League club in mid-June and was moved off the 40-man roster at the end of the season.

On December 16, 2009, Denorfia signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres and received an invitation to spring training.

Denorfia started 2010 in the Padres system, playing the outfield for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.

He was called up on May 17 to replace the injured Scott Hairston.

He pinch hit that same night, hitting a single.

Denorfia remained with the big league club for the rest of the season, batting .271 with 9 home runs in 284 at-bats and starting 44 games in center field, 15 in left and 13 in right.

On August 5, he hit an unusual inside-the-park home run in Dodger Stadium.

The ball chopped off the dirt cut-out in front of the batter's box only four or five feet in front of Denorfia and then bounced out of the reach of the third baseman before being misplayed alongside the tarp down the left field line.

SABR investigated the possibility that the play had set the record for least distance travelled through the air for a home run ball.

In December 2010, Denorfia and the Padres agreed on a one-year deal for the 2011 season.

Denorfia started this season on the 25-man roster and played in a then-career-high 111 games for the big-league club.

Denorfia strained his hamstring on July 31 and missed all of August on the DL and on rehab assignment.

Denorfia made most of his 72 starts in right field and finished the season with a .277/.337/.381 batting line and 5 homers.

On December 12, 2011, Denorfia signed another one-year deal to avoid arbitration and began the 2012 season on the Padres 25-man roster.

Denorfia and Will Venable formed a platoon in right field, with Denorfia starting against left-handed pitchers.

Denorfia hit .337 for the year against lefties, versus .247 against righties.

When not starting as part of the right field platoon, Denorfia made occasional starts in left and center and also had 33 at-bats as a pinch hitter.

He appeared in 130 of the team's 2012 games, batting .293/.345/.451 with 8 homers.

On September 5, 2012, Denorfia signed an extension that would keep him in San Diego throughout the 2014 season.

With center-fielder Cameron Maybin absent for most of the 2013 season, Denorfia saw increased playing time, playing in a career-high 144 games.

He made 51 starts in right field, 36 in center, and 14 in left.