Jody Gerut

Who is Jody Gerut?

Joseph Diego Gerut is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He attended Jackson Middle School, Willowbrook High School, and later Stanford University. He made his major league debut on April 26, 2003, with the Cleveland Indians.

Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft, he was traded to the Indians with Josh Bard, for Jacob Cruz on June 2, 2001. Gerut finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting and winning the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award. In 2004, Gerut's season ended when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Gerut was acquired by the Chicago Cubs from the Indians on July 18, 2005, in exchange for Jason Dubois. On July 31, 2005, Gerut was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for fellow outfielder Matt Lawton. He played briefly for the Pirates in 2005, then did not play for them at all in 2006; on March 8, 2007, the Pirates released Gerut and he did not play during that year.

On January 21, 2008, Gerut signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the San Diego Padres. Gerut played very well in a starting role for the Padres during the 2008 season. He finished the year with a line of .296 batting average, .351 OBP, and .494 slugging percentage with 14 HR and 48 RBI mostly in center field.