Thomas David "Todd" Cunningham III (born March 20, 1989) is an American former professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

left fielder In baseball, a left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system ...

. He has played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...

and

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

High school and college

Cunningham was born in

Jacksonville, Alabama Jacksonville is a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 14,385, which is a 14.6% increase since 2010 and a 71.2% increase since 2000. It is included in the Anniston-Oxfo ...

, on March 20, 1989, to David and Brenda Cunningham. He attended Jacksonville High School in his hometown, where he was a three-time first-team All-State selection. In his four seasons with the Golden Eagles, he hit .446 with 216 runs and 112 stolen bases. He was also an All-County punter. Cunningham went on to attend

Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State University (JSU or Jax State) is a public university in Jacksonville, Alabama, United States. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in six academic schools leading to bachelor's degree, bachelor's, mas ...

, where as a freshman, he was named the 2008

Ohio Valley Conference The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) is a collegiate athletic conference which operates in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It participates in Division I of the NCAA; the conference's football programs compete in partnership with ...

Freshman of the Year and was a

Louisville Slugger Louisville is the most populous city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sixth-most populous city in the Southeast, and the 27th-most-populous city in the United States. By land area, it is the country's 24th-largest city; however, by populatio ...

Freshman All-American. After his freshman season, he played for the Brazos Valley Bombers of the

Texas Collegiate League The Texas Collegiate League (TCL) is a collegiate summer baseball league made up of teams from the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The league's headquarters are in Coppell, Texas. Uri Geva, owner of the Brazos Valley Bombers, is the le ...

, where he led the league with a .310 average and was named to the TCL All-League team. After the 2009 season, he played

collegiate summer baseball Collegiate summer baseball leagues are amateur baseball leagues in the United States and Canada featuring players who have attended at least one year of college and have at least one year of athletic eligibility remaining. Generally, they operat ...

for the

Falmouth Commodores The Falmouth Commodores are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) and plays in the league's West Division. The Commodores play their home games at Arnie All ...

of the

Cape Cod League The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over 1,000 forme ...

(CCBL), where he led the league in batting average (.378), hits, and on-base percentage. He was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2024. Cunningham was a

Baseball America ''Baseball America'' (BA) is a sports publication company that covers baseball at every level, including Major League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) college, high school, and inte ...

preseason All-American for the 2010 season. In 171 games over three seasons with the Gamecocks, he hit .346 with 22 HR, 118 RBI and 36 SB.

Professional career

Atlanta Braves

Cunningham was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, in the 2008 MLB Draft by the

, and he signed. He was assigned to Single-A

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

as an outfielder. In 65 games, he hit .260 with 1 HR, 20 RBI and 7 SB. Cunningham played 2011 with A-Advanced Lynchburg, where in 87 games, he hit .257 with 4 HR, 20 RBI and 14 SB. He was named to the

Carolina League The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 unti ...

All-Star team, joining fellow Hillcats Joey Terdoslavich,

Andrelton Simmons Andrelton Alexander Simmons (born September 4, 1989) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball shortstop for the Dorados de Chihuahua of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles ...

and Adam Milligan. After the season, he played with the

Surprise Saguaros The Surprise Saguaros are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games in Surprise, Arizona, at Surprise Stadium. The ballpark is also the spring training facility of the Kansas City Roya ...

of the

Arizona Fall League The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season baseball league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are filled ...

Cunningham played 2012 with Double-A

Mississippi Mississippi ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the s ...

, where in 120 games, he hit .309 with 3 HR, 51 RBI and 24 SB. Cunningham was a mid-season and post-season All-Star. After the year, he was announced the Braves' Organizational Player of the Year. Cunningham was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Cunningham began 2013 with Triple-A

Gwinnett Gwinnett County ( ) is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. It forms part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, being located about northeast of Atlanta city limits. In 2020, the population was 957,062, making it the ...

, where he hit .279 with 2 HR, 30 RBI and 18 SB in 99 games before being called up. He was called up to the major leagues for the first time on July 30, 2013, to replace the injured

Reed Johnson Reed Cameron Johnson (born December 8, 1976) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, and Washing ...

, and recorded his first career major league hit and subsequent run the same day against the

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...

. Cunningham was optioned to the minors on August 11, having made six appearances in his first major league stint. After

Brandon Beachy Brandon Alan Beachy (born September 3, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. Amateur career Beachy attended Northwestern Senior High ...

was placed on the disabled list, Cunningham was recalled on August 23, only to be sent to the minors five days later, when

Dan Uggla Daniel Cooley Uggla (born March 11, 1980) is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals. In 2010, Uggla ...

was reactivated. He was invited to spring training in 2014, and sent down to Gwinnett on March 20. Cunningham spent the entire 2014 season in the minors. He was again invited to spring training in 2015, but not recalled until May 15, 2015, to make his first major league start against the

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...

. On June 14, Cunningham was optioned to Gwinnett, and returned to the majors for a one-day stint on August 7. He was recalled on September 8 and spent the final three weeks of the season in Atlanta.

Los Angeles Angels

Cunningham was claimed off waivers by the

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. Since 1966, the team has pl ...

on October 9, 2015. He was outrighted to the minors on April 2, 2016. On June 11, Cunningham was recalled for the first time in 2016. Seven days later, Cunningham was designated for assignment and subsequently sent to the Triple A

Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Based in South Jordan, Utah, the team plays its home games at The Ballpark at Am ...

. He was recalled on July 6, and again designated for assignment on July 26. Cunningham spent the rest of the season with the Bees.

St. Louis Cardinals

On November 18, 2016, Cunningham signed a minor league contract with the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

that included an invitation to spring training. Cunningham made 76 appearances for the Triple-A

Memphis Redbirds The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbird ...

in 2017, slashing .270/.401/.400 with four home runs, 27 RBI, and six stolen bases.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 10, 2017, Cunningham was traded to the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

in exchange for cash considerations. In 20 games for the Triple–A

Oklahoma City Dodgers The Oklahoma City Comets are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and play their ho ...

, he batted .339/.417/.468 with no home runs and 4 RBI. Cunningham elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 8, 2017, Cunningham signed a minor league contract with the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

. He made nine appearances for the Triple-A

Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory ...

in 2018, going 3-for-23 (.130) with one RBI.

Chicago White Sox

On April 26, 2018, Cunningham was traded to the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

in exchange for a player to be named later. In nine appearances for the Triple-A

Charlotte Knights The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field ...

, he went 5-for-26 (.192) with two RBI and two stolen bases. Cunningham was released by the White Sox organization on May 15.

Sugar Land Skeeters

On May 29, 2018, Cunningham signed with the

Sugar Land Skeeters The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. They are located in Sugar Land, Texas, part of the G ...

of the

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...

. In two appearances for the Skeeters, Cunningham went 0-for-1 at the plate.

Kansas City T-Bones

On June 1, 2018, Cunningham was traded to the

Kansas City T-Bones The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Kansas. Formerly known as the Kansas City T-Bones, they are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball; which, in 2020, became designated as a Majo ...

of the American Association. He was released prior to the 2019 season on February 19. In 83 games he hit .333/.437/.484 with 4 home runs, 47 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He was then hired by the Los Angeles Angels to be their Defensive Coach at Inland Empire 66ers for 2019 season.

References

External links

Jacksonville State Gamecocks baseball bio
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Todd 1989 births Living people People from Jacksonville, Alabama Baseball players from Alabama Major League Baseball left fielders Atlanta Braves players Los Angeles Angels players Jacksonville State Gamecocks baseball players Falmouth Commodores players Rome Braves players Lynchburg Hillcats players Gulf Coast Braves players Surprise Saguaros players Mississippi Braves players Naranjeros de Hermosillo players American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Gwinnett Braves players Salt Lake Bees players Memphis Redbirds players Oklahoma City Dodgers players Indianapolis Indians players Charlotte Knights players Kansas City T-Bones players