Position player Culberson trying to continue career as pitcher

*Photo from Battery Power*

   Position switches can be fun. After a decade long career as a position player, Charlie Culberson is participating in Atlanta Braves spring training as a relief pitcher, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

   Culberson does have a little pitching experience in the majors. Handling mop up duty late in games, he's allowed one run on 7 hits and 3 walks in 7 1/3 innings pitched. He also pitched 3 2/3 innings with Triple A Gwinnett in 2023.

   One scout said that Culberson has a decent shot at sticking as a reliever, saying "Great guy, super athletic, throws strikes, and has arm strength. He has a shot."

   Over 11 seasons as a position player, Culberson has played for 5 different teams, the longest being the Braves for two full seasons. He has a .248/.294/.386 slash line with a 81 OPS+, hitting 30 home runs and 61 doubles with 145 RBI's in 586 games. He has 12 hits and one walk in 41 plate appearances over 21 playoff games.

   Culberson has appeared at every position around the field except for center field and catcher in the majors. He only made it into one game with the Braves this past year when he came in off the bench. He was controversially DFA'd just before Father's day when his dad was scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

   Previous position players to make the switch include Jason Lane, who was an outfielder from 2002 to 2007 before pitching for the Padres in 2014. Anthony Gose was an outfielder from 2012 to 2016 and made his debut as a pitcher with the Guardians in 2021.