Wes Helms

Infobox MLB player


width = 200
caption = Helms with the Marlins in 2008
name = Wes Helms
team = Florida Marlins
number = 18
positionplain = Third baseman / First baseman
birthdate = birth date and age|1976|5|12
birthplace = city-state|Gastonia|North Carolina
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = September 5
debutyear = 1998
debutteam = Atlanta Braves
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .262
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 68
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 296
teams =
*Atlanta Braves (by|1998, by|2000-by|2002)
*Milwaukee Brewers (by|2003-by|2005)
*Florida Marlins (by|2006)
*Philadelphia Phillies (by|2007)
*Florida Marlins (by|2008-present)

Wesley Ray Helms (born May 12, 1976 in Gastonia, North Carolina ) is an infielder for the Florida Marlins. He bats and throws right-handed.

Wes Helms was drafted by the Atlanta Braves right out of high school in the 10th round of the by|1994 amateur draft. He made his Major League debut with the Braves in by|1998. On December 16, by|2002, he was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for proven reliever Ray King. Helms played with Milwaukee for 3 seasons. He had a successful first season there hitting 23 home runs and collecting 67 RBI. He suffered a knee injury during a rain delay during a game in San Juan, Puerto Rico against the displaced Montreal Expos. After a stint on the disabled list, Helms struggled to regain his form and his playing time. He became the backup third baseman to Russell Branyan. In by|2005, Helms developed into one of the better pinch hitters in baseball.

On November 15, by|2006, he agreed to a contract in principle with the Philadelphia Phillies to a two-year contract for approximately 5.5 million dollars, with a club option for a third year. Helms was designated for assignment by the Phillies on April 2, by|2008, [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080402&content_id=2482629&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Helms designated for assignment] ] and on April 5 was traded back to his old club, the Florida Marlins, for cash considerations with the Phillies paying all of Helms's 2008 salary and the Marlins covering Helms's 2009 option or buyout. [ [http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/baseball/marlins/sfl-flspmarnot08sbapr08,0,7715317.story?track=rss Florida Marlins - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com ] ] [ [http://www.miamiherald.com/1262/story/493925.html Riley puts priority on finding a center - 04/13/2008 - MiamiHerald.com ] ]

In Helms's 9 years of major league service, he has hit for a .263 batting average with 66 home runs. His defense is considered weak, but he has a strong throwing arm.

Often considered to be in the fraternity of "Country Strong" big league players with the likes of Matt Stairs and Adam Dunn, Helms was once described by baseball expert Jeff Little as "the one player I'd like to start a team with". Helms is married with two children Wes Jr. and Stella.

References

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/helmswe01.shtml Total Career Statistics] at Baseball Reference