Alumni Report: Lastings Milledge

Lastings Milledge spent the 2011 season with the Charlotte Knights. The former New York Mets first-round pick (12th overall selection of the 2003 draft) hit .295 with 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases for the Knights in 444 at-bats last season.

While he hit 14 home runs for the Washington Nationals in 2008 and combined to hit 33 home runs with 167 RBIs over parts of six Major League seasons, Milledge spent most of his professional career in the Minors.

The Florida native spent parts of five seasons in Triple-A with Norfolk (2006), New Orleans (2007), Columbus (2008), Indianapolis/Syracuse (2009), and Charlotte (2011). In all, he spent nine seasons in the Minors.

In 2012, however, Milledge took his talent to Japan.

The former Knights outfielder is currently hitting .300 with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs for the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central League through 125 games (476 at-bats). He's second on the team in home runs and RBIs behind former Seattle farmhand Wladimir Balentien. Balentien, a native of Curacao, is hitting .272 with 29 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Recently, Milledge left a game on September 16 after he hurt his shoulder. He was later diagnosed with a left shoulder sprain and is currently off the club's active roster.

Stay tuned for more updates on this former Knight and other former Knights throughout the offseason. Knights Media Relations Director Tommy Viola will have a new Alumni Report every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the offseason.

If there is a former Knights player you would like an update on, please send an email to Tommy Viola at [email protected].