Craig Gentry

Baseball career

Gentry attended the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith during his freshman and sophomore years. 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 he 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 back to Oklahoma City.

2011 season

In 2011, Gentry batted .271 in 133 at-bats, with 18 steals in 18 attempts. He 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 to 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 after 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 2 errors, had 7 outfield assists, saved 12 runs and had the best UZR on 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 on May 1, was placed on the disabled list. On July 30, Gentry was designated for assignment by the Angels and released on August 3, after declining an outright assignment.

2017 season

Gentry signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on February 18, 2017. On April 16, Gentry hit his first home run with the Orioles, a two-run blast off of Matt Dermody. Gentry hit a walk off single on July 31 against Joakim Soria of the Kansas City Royals.