Atkins Inks Contract with Colorado Rockies
June 21, 2000
Los Angeles - Garrett Atkins, UCLA Baseball's first three-time All-American, agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday and signed Tuesday evening. Atkins was a fifth round selection by the Rockies and will report to Portland, the short-season A-ball affiliate of the Rockies. Atkins batted .352 with 17 homers and 72 RBI for UCLA in 2000.
In his three seasons at UCLA, Atkins collected more hits (276) than any other three-year player, breaking current Anaheim Angels, third baseman Troy Glaus's record. Atkins compiled a .369 career batting average, the second highest in school history. In 1998, he set a school record with a 33-game hitting streak and also set school freshman records in hits (83), batting average (.383), doubles (22), league batting average (.405) and hits in league play (51).
Atkins not only shined at UCLA but also in the prestigious Cape Cod League, where he was a two-time Summer All-American selection by Baseball America. In 1998, he batted .383, compiling the third highest batting average in the 1990s in the Cape Cod League. In 1999, he led the Cotuit Kettleers to the Cape Cod League Championship and was named as the Cape Cod League Playoff MVP. He also was named as the Cape Cod League West Squad All-Star MVP.
Atkins was known for his clutch play at UCLA, batting .431 in UCLA's final 28 games in 1999 and .500 in the postseason at the NCAA Regional in Stillwater, OK, earning him All-Tournament honors. He tied a school record with two homers in one inning in a must-win game against Stanford, propelling UCLA into the postseason that year. In 2000, Atkins took his game to the next level down the stretch, taking a 22-game hitting streak into the Super Regionals. He hit for the cycle in the team,s opening postseason game and earned All-Tournament honors.
Other 2000 Bruins who will be joining Atkins in the professional ranks are Ryan Carter, who signed with the Phillies after being drafted in the eighth round, Forrest Johnson, who signed with the Detroit Tigers after being drafted in the 13th round, Charles Merricks, who signed with the Colorado Rockies after being drafted in the 17th round, and Ryan Hamill, who signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after being drafted in the 25th round. Seven other Bruins were drafted and remain unsigned, including first rounder Chase Utley, who was taken with the 15th overall pick in the draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.