Dustin Ackley

Dustin Michael Ackley (born February 26, 1988) is an American former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder.

Ackley chose North Forsyth because he knew several of their baseball players from Amateur Athletic Union competition.

As a freshman in 2007, Ackley set Carolina single-season records and led the nation with 119 hits, 296 at-bats, and 73 games played.

Ackley and the Tar Heels made it to the final round of the 2007 College World Series, losing to the Oregon State Beavers.

[12] The deal was later confirmed and an agreement was reached between the Mariners and his agent Scott Boras about 15 minutes before the signing deadline.

[13][14][15][16] Ackley was assigned to the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League joining fellow prospects Phillippe Aumont, Josh Fields, Anthony Varvaro, Nick Hill, Joe Dunigan, Carlos Triunfel and Juan Díaz.

In his second at-bat, Ackley hit a home run to deep center field off right-hander Brandon McCarthy, the first homer of the season.

On May 4, 2013, Ackley recorded his first career grand slam in an 8–1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

[26] On May 27, 2013, Ackley, unable to stay consistently above the Mendoza Line, was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to work on his offense.

[28] On July 30, 2015, the Mariners traded Ackley to the New York Yankees for Ramón Flores and José Ramírez.

On May 30, 2016, Ackley was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a separated shoulder and a torn labrum requiring surgery, prematurely ending his 2016 season.

[33] He spent the season with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, slashing .261/.340/.376 with 6 home runs and 59 RBI in 116 games with the team.

He elected free agency on November 6,[34] and re-signed with the Angels on a new minor league deal on April 4, 2018.

For the second straight year, Ackley played in Salt Lake, hitting .286/.378/.398 with 4 home runs and 39 RBI in 72 games.

[35] On January 9, 2019, Ackley signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners that included an invite to Spring Training.

Ackley during his tenure with the Seattle Mariners in 2012