George Springer

George Chelston Springer III (born September 19, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB).

The Minnesota Twins selected Springer in the 48th round of the 2008 MLB draft.

Though he considered signing with Minnesota, he decided that he was not ready for professional baseball and did not sign.

Springer enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where he played college baseball for the Connecticut Huskies baseball team.

At UConn, Springer was named to the 2009 Baseball America Freshman All-America First Team.

He was also named the Big East Conference rookie of the year.

In 2009 and 2010, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

The Astros selected Springer in the first round (11th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft.

In 2011, Springer was named the Big East Player of the Year.

He was named a first team All-American by Perfect Game USA, Louisville Slugger.

and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, while being named a Second Team All-American by Baseball America.

The Houston Astros selected Springer in the first round, with the 11th overall selection, in the 2011 MLB draft.

Springer became the highest selection in the MLB Draft in University of Connecticut baseball history.

Springer was signed by the Astros, receiving a $2.52 million signing bonus.

After he signed, Springer played in eight games with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League.

Before the 2012 season, MLB.com rated Springer as the 84th best prospect in baseball.

In 2012, Springer played for the Lancaster JetHawks of the Class A-Advanced California League and the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League.

He hit 22 home runs and recorded 28 stolen bases for Lancaster.

Splitting the 2013 season between Corpus Christi and the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, Springer joined the 30–30 club, recording more than 30 home runs and stolen bases.

He appeared in the Texas League All-Star Game, and was named its most valuable player.

Though he only played in 73 games for Corpus Christi, he was named the Texas League Player of the Year at the end of the season.

He was a finalist for USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year Award.

He played for the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2020.

He made his MLB debut in 2014, for the Astros.

Springer has played primarily in right field and also spent significant time in center field.

A native of New Britain, Connecticut, Springer is of Puerto Rican and Panamanian descent.

Springer played college baseball at the University of Connecticut, where he was named Big East Conference Baseball Player of the Year and a First Team All-American.

Baseball America ranked Springer as the 18th-best prospect in baseball prior to the 2014 season.

During spring training in 2014, Springer and his agent rejected a reported seven-year contract worth $23 million, despite having not yet reached the major leagues.

Springer started the 2014 season with Oklahoma City.

He hit for a .353 batting average and a .647 slugging percentage before being called up to the major league team in time for their April 16 game.

Springer made his MLB debut on April 16, 2014, at Minute Maid Park against the Kansas City Royals.

In 2017, Springer became an MLB All-Star, Silver Slugger Award winner, and World Series champion.

He was also named the 2017 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP), hitting a record-tying five home runs (Reggie Jackson and Chase Utley accomplished the feat in 1977 and 2009, respectively), as the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.

He was again an All-Star in 2018, 2019, and 2022.

Springer attended New Britain High School in New Britain, Connecticut, for his freshman year of high school.

He played on the varsity baseball team as a freshman despite standing 5 ft and weighing 100 lbs.

Springer transferred to Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Connecticut, for his sophomore through senior seasons.

He repeated his junior year as his grades dropped.

Springer played for the Avon Old Farms baseball team.