Playing career: Third Baseman Adrian Beltre came up with the Dodgers as a nineteen-year-old in 1998, and was considered one of the best prospects in baseball. In his first decade or so as a major leaguer he was a very steady player, if not really a star, except for his one monster season of 2004, when he hit .334 with 48 HR and 121 RBI for the Dodgers. That was a contract year, and he signed for big money in Seattle, where hitters go to die (sorry, Robby Cano). After five years of solid but unspectacular play in Seattle, he went to Boston where he reestablished himself as a star in 2010.
Where he is now: He signed with Texas before the 2011 season, and has had three of the best seasons of his career, putting up OPS numbers in the 130s each season.
My memories: Five years ago I would never have thought of him as a potential Hall-of-Famers. If his career ended right now I don't think he would be - many good seasons but few great ones. He is only 34 - if he has a few more very good seasons than I think he is a borderline Hall-of-Famer. Of course, what I think of first for Beltre is that he never wants anyone to touch his head, which his teammates of course always try to do.
Google Autocomplete results: He is tenth when you type Adrian, behind Adriano Goldschmied, a jeans designer. There do not appear to be any other prominent Adrian Beltre.
Coming up next: The next profile will be Esteban Beltre.
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