All-Time MLB Players From Louisiana: Kim Batiste

There have been a number of individuals from Lafayette, and the Acadiana area, that have played in Major League Baseball over the years.

Obviously, the entire state of Louisiana has produced even more.

As a matter of fact, 246 people born in the state of Louisiana have appeared in a Major League Baseball game, beginning in 1874, with John Peters of New Orleans, who played 11 years, with the likes of the Chicago White Stockings, Milwaukee Grays, Providence Grays, Buffalo Bisons, and Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

All summer, we’ll preview a player from the state of Louisiana that appeared in Major League baseball, starting with players from Lafayette, before spotlighting players from the Acadiana area, and then a few from the state itself.

Yesterday, we spotlighted Chuck Finley.

Today, we feature Kim Batiste.

Born in New Orleans in 1968, Batiste, a right-handed hitting infielder, who played parts of 5 seasons in Major League Baseball, with the Philadelphia Phillies (1991-1994) and the San Francisco Giants (1996).

After attending St. Amant High School, Batiste was selected by the Phillies in the third round of the 1987 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Batiste made his Major League debut on September 8, 1991, recording his first big league hit against the Houston Astros.

Batiste went on to appear in 10 games for the Phillies in 1991, recording 6 hits in 27 at-bats, while driving in the first run of his career.

After hitting a .206 in 136 at-bats in 1992, Batiste had the best year of his career in 1993, hitting a .286, to go along with 5 home runs and 27 runs batted in in a career-high 79 games.

In 1994, his final year with the Phillies, Batiste slipped to a .234, to go along with one homer and 13 RBI's.

Back in the minor leagues for all of 1995, Batiste returned to the big leagues in 1996, hitting a .208 with the San Francisco Giants, prior to retiring.

In parts of 5 seasons in Major League Baseball, Batiste appeared in 251 games, while hitting a .234, to go along with 10 homers, 64 RBI's, and 4 stolen bases.