Orlando Hudson

Full name: Orlando Thill Hudson
Born: December 12, 1977 in Darlington, South Carolina

>> Visit the Orlando Hudson biography on Baseball Almanac for complete statistics.

Orlando Hudson is touted as a savvy, athletic player with a personality all his own. The skills he has displayed so far have gotten him noticed. His charisma is what keeps people talking about him.

In 2002, his talent finally got him to the majors.  In 2003, he is expected to start to establish himself among the field of American League shortstops.

He opened the 2001 season with Tennessee of the Southern League and was named to the AA All-Star Team. Baseball America selected him as the Minor League All-Star Second Baseball and the Best Defensive Second Baseman in the Southern League. 

He joined Scottsdale of the Arizona Fall League following the season and was named to the All-Prospect Team. Hudson hit .426 in 19 games and drove in 20 runs. 

He was a member of Team USA at the World Cup games in Korea that won the Silver Medal. In 10 games, he hit .429 with 12 runs, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 4 RBI and 7 stolen bases. USA Baseball selected him as the Athlete of the year. 

Hudson has described his batting style as trying to hit the ball into the gaps. Once he gets on base, his mind is set on steal, steal, steal.

He was a 47th round pick in the 1997 draft and he entered baseball as a shortstop at the lowest possible level of rookie baseball. He hasn't been held back and has excelled at every level he's been to so far. He has learned to play second base and club officials see him eventually moving to third.

Hudson was born in Darlington, S.C., and grew up playing baseball on the weekends with his dad and other family members. 

Hudson graduated from Darlington High School and was a member of the baseball, basketball and football teams. He was an All-State Baseball selection and attended Spartanburg Methodist College, earning All-Region honors. He was also invited to the NJCAA All-Star Team.

When Hudson arrives in a new city, he makes it a point to visit children in the area hospitals. At one stop, a young cancer patient gave Hudson a plastic frog she had made. Hudson wears it around his neck and kisses it every time he hits a home run. 

When his baseball career is over, he wants to find a career in sports management and, most of all, he wants to be a coach so he can help children.