Kyle Kubitza

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Kyle Kubitza

|image = Kyle Kubitza interview (cropped).png

|caption = Kubitza with Tigres del Licey in 2015

|width =

|team =

|number =

|position = Third baseman

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|7|15}}

|birth_place = Arlington, Texas, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 10

|debutyear = 2015

|debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = October 2

|finalyear = 2015

|finalteam = Los Angeles Angels

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .194

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 0

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 1

|teams =

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2015}})

}}

Kyle Andrew Kubitza (born July 15, 1990) is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels.

Career

Kubitza attended Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas. He played college baseball at Texas State University for the Texas State Bobcats.{{cite web |author=Pleskoff |first=Bernie |date=February 17, 2014 |title=Braves have versatile corner prospect in Kubitza |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bernie-pleskoff-kyle-kubitza-versatile-corner-prospect-for-braves/c-67852774 |accessdate=2025-01-20 |work=MLB.com}} He hit .328 with 27 home runs during his career.

=Atlanta Braves=

The Atlanta Braves selected Kubitza in the third round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.{{cite web |date=2011-06-07 |title=Kubitza, Smith, Kalenkosky Drafted In Third, Eighth, 13th Rounds Of MLB Draft |url=https://txst.com/news/2011/6/7/BB_0607111952.aspx |accessdate=2025-01-20 |work=Texas State Athletics}} He signed with the Braves and made his professional debut that season with the Danville Braves. Kubitza played 2012 with the Rome Braves, 2013 with the Lynchburg Hillcats and 2014 with the Mississippi Braves. The Braves added Kubitza to the team's 40-man roster on November 19, 2014.{{cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=David |title=Braves meet with free agent Lester |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-meet-with-free-agent-lester/uMa0Ux7ThV6Wn0Yb3FUT6M/ |accessdate=May 1, 2019 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=November 28, 2014}}

=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=

On January 8, 2015, the Braves traded Kubitza and Nate Hyatt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for Ricardo Sánchez.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Braves acquire promising lefty Sanchez from Angels|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-acquire-promising-lefty-pitching-prospect-ricardo-sanchez-from-angels/c-105969864|accessdate=January 9, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=January 8, 2015}} He started the season with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/kubitza-656461-major-ideal.html|title=Angels counting on Kubitza as third baseman of the future|work=The Orange County Register|date=April 2, 2015 |accessdate=April 27, 2015}} The Angels promoted Kubitza to the major leagues on June 10, 2015.{{cite news|last1=Fletcher|first1=Jeff|title=Angels Notes: Kirk Nieuwenhuis designated for assignment|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fla-665733-kirk-nieuwenhuis.html|accessdate=August 29, 2016|work=Orange County Register|date=June 10, 2015}} He made his major league debut that day in place of David Freese, who had been injured.{{cite news|title=Los Angeles Angels recall Kyle Kubitza, DFA Kirk Nieuwenhuis|url=http://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/13053014/los-angeles-angels-recall-kyle-kubitza-dfa-kirk-nieuwenhuis|accessdate=August 29, 2016|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=June 10, 2015}} Kubitza was optioned to the minors on June 28, having hit .214 in eleven games for the Angels.{{cite news|last1=Adler|first1=David|title=Angels send Kubitza back to Triple-A|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/133511778/angels-send-kyle-kubitza-back-to-triple-a/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701201830/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/133511778/angels-send-kyle-kubitza-back-to-triple-a|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2015|accessdate=August 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=June 28, 2016}} Freese was placed on the disabled list on July 23, clearing a roster spot for Kubitza's return.{{cite news|last1=Adler|first1=David|title=Angels recall Kubitza to help fill in at 3B|url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-recall-kyle-kubitza-to-play-third-base/c-138216560|accessdate=August 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=July 23, 2016}} Five days later, Kubitza was sent to Salt Lake as the Angels sought to promote a backup outfielder to replace Mike Trout.{{cite news|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Alden|title=Trout day to day, MRI on wrist comes back negative|url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/139260240/injured-angels-outfielder-mike-trout-sits-out/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731000256/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/139260240/injured-angels-outfielder-mike-trout-sits-out|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2015|accessdate=August 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=July 28, 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Moura |first1=Pedro |title=ANGELS: Kubitza sent to down to Triple-A |url=https://www.pe.com/2015/06/28/angels-kubitza-sent-to-down-to-triple-a/ |accessdate=May 1, 2019 |work=The Press Enterprise |date=June 28, 2015}} Kubitza began to play other positions during this minor league stint, and was recalled on September 8.{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Bubba|title=For third-base prospect Kyle Kubitza, the 2015 season has been productive, if unpredictable|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/salt-680028-city-kubitza.html|accessdate=August 29, 2016|work=Orange County Register|date=August 28, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Alden|title=Kubitza may add second base to repertoire|url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-trying-kyle-kubitza-at-second-base/c-148172478|accessdate=August 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=September 8, 2015}}

=Texas Rangers=

On June 21, 2016, Kubitza was traded to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations after being designated for assignment on June 13, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/16399907/rangers-acquire-kyle-kubitza-angels-cash-deal|title=Rangers acquire Kyle Kubitza from Angels for cash|work=ESPN|date=June 21, 2016 |access-date=June 29, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Alden |title=Angels get cash from Rangers for Kubitza |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-trade-kyle-kubitza-to-astros-for-cash/c-185358248 |accessdate=July 31, 2018 |work=MLB.com |date=June 21, 2016}}

=Atlanta Braves (second stint)=

On August 12, 2016, Kubitza was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Smith's season may be over with broken thumb|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/195191880/braves-mallex-smith-may-miss-rest-of-season/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814155230/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/195191880/braves-mallex-smith-may-miss-rest-of-season/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 14, 2016|accessdate=August 13, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=August 12, 2016}} On September 2, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Gwinnett Braves.{{Cite web|title=Atlanta Braves Minor League Weekend Wrap Up September 5th|url=https://housethathankbuilt.com/2016/09/05/atlanta-braves-minor-league-weekend-wrap-september-5th/?mm-experiments=recirculation-v1-fsexpand%7Ctest|access-date=June 25, 2023|website=housethathankbuilt.com|language=en}}

Kubitza returned to Gwinnett in 2017, playing in 92 games and hitting .241/.333/.346 with 5 home runs and 25 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.{{cite news |last1=Eddy |first1=Matt |title=Minor League Free Agent Tracker 2017 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agent-tracker-2017/ |accessdate=May 1, 2019 |work=Baseball America |date=November 15, 2017}}

=Sugar Land Skeeters=

Kubitza signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in early 2018.{{cite news |title=Skeeters 2018 Spring Training Roster Announced |url=http://www.atlanticleague.com/about/press-releases/?article_id=947 |accessdate=May 1, 2019 |publisher=Atlantic League of Professional Baseball |date=March 15, 2018}} Kubitza announced his retirement on July 3, 2018.{{cite news |last1=McCaughey |first1=Bill |title=Skeeters clinch playoff spot by winning first half of the season |url=http://www.fortbendstar.com/skeeters-clinch-playoff-spot-by-winning-first-half-of-the-season/ |accessdate=July 31, 2018 |work=Fort Bend Star |date=July 3, 2018}}

Personal life

His brother, Austin Kubitza, played Minor League Baseball in the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners organizations as well as independent baseball.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/whitecaps/index.ssf/2014/04/whitecaps_pitcher_who_followed.html|title=Whitecaps pitcher Austin Kubitza, who followed older brother into pros, helps team snap losing skid|work=MLive.com|date=April 27, 2014 |accessdate=October 27, 2014}}{{cite news |title=AirHogs Re-sign Kubitza, Mortensen |url=http://www.airhogsbaseball.com/news/index.html?article_id=243 |accessdate=May 1, 2019 |publisher=Texas AirHogs |date=June 21, 2017}}{{cite news |title=2017 transactions |url=http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/transactions/2017-transactions/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405085217/http://www.americanassociationbaseball.com/transactions/2017-transactions/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |accessdate=May 1, 2019 |publisher=American Association of Independent Professional Baseball}}