FOXSportsSouth.com invites you to meet the Braves as we continue a month-long look at our team, player-by-player. We'll revisit 2011 and project what 2012 might look like.
Eric Hinske
Position: OF/1B
Height: 6-2; Weight: 235
Bat/Throw: L/R
Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Experience: 11th season
2011 in review: Hinske again provided left-handed power off the bench, hitting 10 home runs with 28 RBIs as a pinch-hitter, backup outfielder and first baseman. He hit .310 (9-for-29) with runners in scoring position and two outs.
Career highlight: He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2002 after hitting .279 with 24 home runs, 84 RBIs, 99 runs and 13 steals for Toronto. His homer and RBI totals from that season are still his career highs in both categories.
Outlook: Hinske will again provide depth and power off the bench for the Braves. He’ll start the season in a left field platoon with Matt Diaz until Chipper Jones comes back from knee surgery.
You should know: Hinske has five pinch-hit home runs in two seasons with the Braves, fifth in franchise history. He hit three home runs and drove in 12 runs as a pinch-hitter in 2010.
Monday: Kris Medlen
