Jan. 8, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former Kentucky standout and Lexington, Ky., native, Andy Green has signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets, it was announced by the organization.
Green, a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, played the 2009 season in the New York Mets organization, advancing to the big league club for four games and four at bats. The 32-year old utility-man played in 59 total games during the minor league season while recovering from an early-season injury. The Lexington native and graduate of Lexington Christian Academy, hit .261 (53-for-203) with seven doubles, one triple, five homers and 24 RBI, drawing 26 walks, striking out just 35 times and stealing four bags.
Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reported Green’s resigning among the six minor league contracts – which include MLB spring training invites – the Mets announced.
During his 136-game MLB career, spanning the 2004-05-06-09 seasons, Green has totaled a .200 average (46-for-230) with seven doubles, one triple, two homers, 12 RBI, 26 walks and 41 strikeouts. Green’s longest MLB stint came in 2006, when he played in 73 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Green spent the 2007 season playing professional baseball internationally.
Over his 10-year minor league career, Green has played in 839 games, totaling a .297 (942-for-3,177) average, charting 219 doubles, 34 triples, 61 homers, 394 RBI and 123 stolen bases. Green owns a .377 career on-base percentage and a .821 career OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage). In 2008, he played at two different triple A levels (in the Cincinnati Reds and Mets organizations) for a full season, Green hit .273 (120-for-440) in 123 games, adding 25 doubles, four triples, 13 homers and 47 RBI, drawing 68 walks and striking out 79 times with seven steals.
Green is among the four former UK standouts that saw action in the big leagues in 2009, as Toronto Blue Jays late-inning reliever Scott Downs (1995-97), Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Joe Blanton (2000-02) and former Cy Young winner and Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Webb (1998-2000).
During his UK career, Green set school records for games played (228), games started (225), at bats (908), runs scored (199) and hits (277). As a senior for UK in 2000, Green led UK with a .368 average (89-for-242) with 18 doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 45 RBI, drawing 30 walks and striking out just 19 times, stealing 27-of-33 bases.
