Atkins was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 7th round,216th overall,of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft. After signing,Atkins made his professional debut for the AZL Cubs. In 2005,he played for the Low-A Boise Hawks,recording a 3–6 record and 5.03 ERA in 15 appearances. He spent the 2006 season with the Single-A Peoria Chiefs,registering a 13–4 record and 2.41 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 25 games. He split the 2007 season between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the High-A Daytona Cubs,accumulating a 9–8 record and 3.57 ERA in 141.0 innings of work. In 2008,Atkins split the year between Tennessee and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs,pitching to a 17–7 record and 4.00 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 28 games. He began the 2009 season in Iowa.[1]
In his minor league career,Atkins was twice named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week and also was a Southern League All-Star (2008),Florida State League All-Star (2007),and a Midwest League All-Star (2006). He was believed to be the first MLB player from Guilford County NC schools since 1964.[2]
He made his Major League debut on July 29,2009,against the Houston Astros. Atkins pitched two games during late July 2009,allowing no runs,but would not see a big league mound again until July 9,2010,when he pitched a 1.1 innings in Los Angeles. On September 21,2010,Atkins was designated for assignment by the Cubs after recording a 6.30 ERA in 5 games.[3] On November 6,2010,Atkins elected free agency.
Baltimore Orioles
On November 15,2010,Atkins signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.[4] On July 5,2011,Atkins was selected to the active roster and made his first major league start in a loss against the Texas Rangers. After struggling to an 8.44 ERA in 3 games,on August 31,2011,Atkins was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.[5]
Washington Nationals
He signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 9,2012.[6] He spent the season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs,recording a 6–9 record and 4.87 ERA. He elected free agency on November 2.
On June 22,2017,Atkins signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets organization.[14] He made 14 starts for the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s,posting a 4–8 record and 5.65 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 78.0 innings pitched. Atkins elected free agency following the season on November 6.[15]
York Revolution
On April 11,2018,Atkins signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He registered a 12–7 record and 4.17 ERA in 25 games for York in 2018. Atkins re-signed with the team for the 2019 season.[16] He pitched to an 11–6 record and 2.81 ERA for York in 2019 and became a free agent following the season.
On August 1,2021,Atkins re-signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[21] He made 8 total starts for the team,registering a 4.37 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 35.0 innings pitched. He became a free agent following the season.
On August 11,2022,Atkins re-signed with the High Point Rockers. In 6 starts for the team,he logged a 3–0 record and 4.91 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 25+2⁄3 innings of work. Atkins became a free agent again following the season.
On July 14, 2023, Atkins once more re–signed with the Rockers.[22] In 7 games (6 starts), he struggled to a 1–4 record and 8.13 ERA with 23 strikeouts across 27+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On April 15, 2024, Atkins re–signed with High Point for a fourth consecutive year.[23] However, he was released by the team prior to the season on April 23.[24]
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