In August, when Charlie Culberson signed another minor-league deal with the Braves after they designated him for assignment, he talked to president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos.
Culberson had an idea.
“Hey listen, what if I tried pitching?” said Culberson, who was back with Triple-A Gwinnett. “What if this is something that I can do and you guys will allow me to do it?”
Braves rewind: Charlie Culberson’s pitching debut in 2018
Anthopoulos signed off on this, and the transition began. Culberson, an infielder, started transforming into a relief pitcher. He went on the development list to work on pitching. This journey, Culberson said, can show people, “it’s OK to do something different, to step out of your comfort zone and to take on a new challenge.”
This is still baseball, but it’s quite the change. And Culberson, who turns 35 in April, fully believes in himself.
When the Braves report to spring training, he will be in minor-league camp – as a pitcher.
We must make this clear: Culberson is not in this solely for the fluffy, feel-good story of it all. He thinks he can succeed.