Kyle Farmer

Kyle Farmer's Biography

Born on the 17th of August, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia, James Kyle Farmer is a distinguished professional baseball player renowned across the United States for his exceptional outfielding skills. Since 2022, Farmer serves as an infielder for the Minnesota Twins, a significant constituent of Major League Baseball, MLB. Prior to his tenure in Minnesota, Farmer had stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds, marking his reputable journey in the sports world.

Farmer’s childhood was prolific in Atlanta, where he completed his education at Marist School. Here, he ignited his passion for both baseball and football, establishing a strong footing in sports. Interestingly, he had his first brush with the entertainment industry when he made an appearance in ‘The Blind Side’ in 2009, portraying the role of a high school quarterback.

Choosing to play baseball over football, Farmer pursued his college baseball career at the well-regarded University of Georgia. He played as a shortstop, recording an astonishing .308 batting average and an outstanding .968 fielding percentage. This performance set a new record for the UGA Baseball team at the shortstop position, affixing Farmer’s talent in the annals of the University’s sports history. In 2011, Farmer showcased his prowess with the Bourne Braves during the Cape Cod Baseball League’s collegiate summer season.

In 2012, Farmer was chosen by the New York Yankees in the 35th round of the MLB draft. However, he decided against signing with them. Fortune partnered with Farmer in the subsequent year, when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 8th round (244th overall pick) of the 2013 MLB draft. Subsequently, he embraced the opportunity and signed a contract with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers strategized and transitioned Farmer into a catcher. He debuted professionally in 2014 with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League and later authored his rise to the Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League.

With Farmer hitting a .310 average in 57 games, he was advanced yet again to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, part of the exciting California League. Despite a slight dip in performance, with a .238 batting average in 36 games, his athletic prowess remained undisputed.

In 2015, Farmer began with the Quakes and was selected for the mid-season All-Star team, further delineating his skillful career. Farmer was bestowed with the opportunity to represent the Dodgers organization at the All-Star Futures Game that year. Despite not playing in the All-Star game due to his ascension to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League, Farmer continued his journey, contributing to Tulsa’s success and maintaining an impressive .272 batting average in 76 games.

Farmer’s return to Tulsa at the start of the 2016 season saw him selected for yet another mid-season All-star game. He showcased steadfast determination, playing in 74 games and hitting a .256 average with five home runs and 31 runs batted in (RBI). Appreciating his performance, the Dodgers included Farmer in their 40-man roster post-season. Additionally, he was elevated to the prominent Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers during 2017.

Farmer was first called up to the big leagues on July 28, 2017. His journey climaxed when, in his first major league stride, he smacked a walk-off two-run double off Albert Suárez of the San Francisco Giants, landing the Dodgers a 3-2 victory.

The Dodgers continued their faith in Farmer, allowing him to play in 20 games throughout 2017, primarily as a pinch hitter. Despite only batting 20 times, he managed to make six hits, posting a .300 average. He was included in the Dodgers’ roster for the 2017 NLDS and 2017 NLCS, even though he didn’t manage to record a hit in four pinch-hitting appearances.

In 2018, Farmer featured in numerous games for the Dodgers, particularly demonstrating his skill at third base. He registered a significant stat line of .235/.312/.324 in 68 bats, however, it marked the end of his journey with the Dodgers.

On December 21, 2018, Farmer, along with Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Matt Kemp, and cash considerations, was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Homer Bailey, Jeter Downs, and Josiah Gray. He continued his rigorous effort, scoring 9 home runs and 27 RBIs in 97 games throughout 2019 despite a .230 batting average. The subsequent season, he improved his average to .266 in 32 games. Farmer was non-tendered by the Reds on December 2, 2020, ultimately re-signing on a one-year contract.

The following year, 2021, marked Farmer’s first full season, as he played 147 games. During his time on the field, he achieved a batting average of .263/.316/.416, batting 16 home runs and collecting 63 RBIs. In the early 2022 season, however, Farmer experienced a challenging time with 0 hits in 34 at-bats. Despite this, Farmer ended the streak in style with a 3-run homer in May against the Milwaukee Brewers.

A turning point in his career took place in August when the team’s manager, David Bell, announced that Farmer would take up the third-base position, with José Barrero shifting to shortstop. This move marked the end of Farmer’s steady run of 192 consecutive starts at shortstop.

Come November 18, 2022, Farmer was traded to the Minnesota Twins in return for Casey Legumina. His place in the Twins’ roster was solidified when he agreed upon a one-year, $5.585 million contract with the team in January 2023. In Farmer’s debut home game for the Twins on April 7, he celebrated with a walk-off single against the Houston Astros. Unfortunately, Farmer suffered a dental injury on April 12 that same year, requiring surgery and a spot on the ten-day injured list.

Besides his prolific sports career, Farmer enjoys a blissful personal life. He proposed to his girlfriend, Courtney Sayre, in July 2017, and the couple tied the knot the following year. They live happily in Atlanta, sharing their joy with two beloved sons. Farmer, having always been an Atlanta Braves fan, now finds himself playing the sport he loves and living the dream he nurtured during his Braves-fan days: playing professional baseball in the MLB.