John Orton
Born: 12/8/1965 in Santa Cruz, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1989-08-20 | Final Game: 1993-07-04
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: John Andrew Orton
Biography
John Orton, born in 1965, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player primarily in the early 1990s. His career spanned from 1989 until July 4, 1993, during which he appeared in 156 games. Orton recorded a total of 80 hits, contributing to a batting average of .200, with four home runs and 29 RBIs. He also showcased his speed on the basepaths, finishing his career with two stolen bases.
Orton's playing style reflected the transitional nature of Major League Baseball during his era, which was marked by a blend of traditional skills and emerging power dynamics. While he may not have been a standout in terms of offensive statistics, his contributions as a bench player and utility option were valuable to the teams he played for. Although his career was relatively brief, Orton's journey through the majors exemplified the challenges faced by many players trying to make their mark in a competitive landscape. He retired after a five-year stint, leaving behind a legacy as part of the rich tapestry of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 156 | 401 | 35 | 80 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 2 | 31 | 121 | 0.200 | 0.265 | 0.274 | 0.540 | -1342.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | LAA | AL | 16 | 39 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 0.179 | 0.0 |
| 1990 | LAA | AL | 31 | 84 | 8 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 31 | 0.190 | -360.1 |
| 1991 | LAA | AL | 29 | 69 | 7 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 17 | 0.203 | -184.3 |
| 1992 | LAA | AL | 43 | 114 | 11 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 32 | 0.219 | -329.5 |
| 1993 | LAA | AL | 37 | 95 | 5 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 24 | 0.189 | -468.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 153 | 131 | 782 | 85 | 13 | 14 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | CAL | C | 16 | 13 | 76 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| 1990 | CAL | C | 31 | 23 | 139 | 15 | 2 | 1 |
| 1991 | CAL | C | 28 | 22 | 145 | 23 | 1 | 3 |
| 1992 | CAL | C | 43 | 40 | 238 | 23 | 5 | 3 |
| 1993 | CAL | C | 35 | 33 | 184 | 17 | 4 | 4 |
| 1993 | CAL | OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 153 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Designated Hitter | 1 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | CAL | AL | $160,000 |
| 1992 | CAL | AL | $130,000 |
| 1991 | CAL | AL | $120,000 |
| 1990 | CAL | AL | $100,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $510,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo | CA | 1985, 1986, 1987 |