Akil Baddoo, an American professional baseball outfielder, presently competes for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Akil was born on August 16, 1998, in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in 2016, Round: CB-B, with an overall pick of 74. His MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers took place on April 4, 2021.
Baddoo has a net worth of $500,000 as of 2023. Baddoo has signed various contracts throughout his career. For the 2021 season, he entered into a one-year agreement with the Detroit Tigers valued at $570,500.
Subsequently, in 2022, he renewed his association with the Tigers through another one-year contract worth $700,000. Comprehensive details about Baddoo's contracts, including salary breakdowns, payroll figures, bonuses, career earnings, market value, transactions, and statistics, can be accessed on Spotrac.
Akil Baddoo excelled as a high school baseball player at Salem High School in Conyers, Georgia. Recognized for his promise and athleticism, he served as an outstanding outfielder.
In 2016, the Minnesota Twins took notice and drafted him as a supplemental second-round pick, a testament to Baddoo's evident talent and potential showcased during his high school years.
Akil Baddoo's professional baseball journey encompasses being drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft and signing for $750,000. He then navigated through the minor leagues, playing for teams like the Fort Myers Miracle, San Antonio Missions, and Erie SeaWolves.
Making his MLB debut on April 4, 2021, with the Detroit Tigers, Baddoo demonstrated promising skills but faced challenges, striking out nearly 30% of the time in the high Class A Florida State League. His 2021 season with the Tigers included 68 hits, 11 home runs, and a .218 batting average.
Currently, he plays as the left fielder for the Detroit Tigers, and his prospects hinge on improving his bat-to-ball skills and reducing strikeouts to fulfill his potential as a regular player despite being considered a strong candidate for a fourth outfielder role due to his power, speed, and outfield versatility.
Akil Baddoo's career stats, covering the 2021 and 2022 seasons, are as follows: In 2021, he had 107 hits, 20 doubles, 7 home runs, and 55 RBIs, with a .259 batting average, .330 on-base percentage, .436 slugging percentage, and a .766 OPS. In 2022, Baddoo tallied 41 hits, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, and 9 RBIs, posting a .204 batting average, a .289 on-base percentage, a .269 slugging percentage, and a .558 OPS.
Overall, up to 2022, his career stats include 216 hits, 36 doubles, 26 home runs, and 98 RBIs, featuring a .233 batting average, .314 on-base percentage, .378 slugging percentage, and a .692 OPS.
In 2023, Baddoo achieved a .218 batting average with 11 home runs, 42 walks (11.8% walk rate), and 89 strikeouts (24.9% strikeout rate) in 112 games, along with 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts.
Akil Baddoo has faced two notable injuries in his professional baseball career. The first occurred in June 2023 when he sustained a right quad injury during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 9. Following this incident, he was promptly placed on the injured list.
The second injury occurred in May 2023 when Baddoo was hit in the groin by a ball while attempting to steal a base. The impact of the ball may have contributed to or worsened a pre-existing condition.
Ultimately, this chain of events appears to have played a role in the subsequent quad injury that led to Baddoo's placement on the injured list in June 2023.
Akil Baddoo is not involved in any romantic relationship, and there are no visible glimpses of his personal life on his Instagram. This may suggest that he is prioritizing his career and aspirations as a professional baseball player over engaging in a romantic relationship.
Baddoo's focused and motivated demeanor reflects a dedication to becoming a better player and achieving success in his career. Akil Baddoo's dedication to his career underscores his determination to maximize his potential as a player, suggesting that he is currently placing a significant emphasis on personal and professional development.
Akil Baddoo has actively engaged in philanthropic endeavors. In April 2021, he auctioned NFTs (non-fungible tokens), with a percentage of the proceeds directed towards RISE, a national nonprofit advocating for social justice and improved race relations. Furthermore, the funds also benefited the Detroit R.B.I. program, dedicated to revitalizing baseball in inner cities.
In addition to his NFT initiative, Baddoo has taken part in the "Autographs for a Cause" program. Through this program, the net proceeds from autographed limited edition Topps baseball cards contribute to the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities and Detroit PAL.
These various charitable activities underscore his dedication to supporting organizations and causes that positively impact communities.
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