Mike Yastrzemski

Michael Andrew Yastrzemski, known by fans and colleagues as “Yaz”, was born on August 23, 1990. An embodiment of passion, perseverance and excellence, Michael is a phenomenally talented professional baseball outfielder who presently plays for the San Francisco Giants, a team in the Major League Baseball (MLB).

Born into a family with an illustrious background in baseball, Michael’s grandfather, Carl Yastrzemski, was a Hall of Fame baseball player and a Triple Crown winner. Michael continued his family’s legacy by shaping his career in baseball, starting from playing college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. In the 2013 MLB draft, the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 14th round. After honing his skills and dedication, he made his MLB debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2019.

Michael received his early education in St. John’s Preparatory School situated in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he played for the school’s baseball team, later becoming the team captain in his senior year. His exceptional performance and potential earned him a baseball scholarship to attend the prestigious Vanderbilt University. Thereafter, he played for the Vanderbilt Commodores team. He was projected to be an early-round selection in the 2009 MLB draft. However, he chose to attend college unless he was picked in the first round. The Boston Red Sox drafted him in the 36th round (1,098th overall). Deciding against signing with the Red Sox, Michael chose to further develop his skills at Vanderbilt.

From his freshman year, he became an essential part of the Vanderbilt Commodores team. During the summers of 2010 and 2011, he was also part of the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. After his junior year, the Seattle Mariners spotted his talent, choosing him in the 30th round (911th overall) of the 2012 MLB draft. Despite being offered a $300,000 signing bonus by the Mariners, Michael returned to Vanderbilt for his senior year. His incredible performance as a senior led to him being named All-Southeastern Conference.

In 2013, the Baltimore Orioles saw a prospect in Michael and drafted him in the 14th round (429th overall). He accepted their offer and started his professional baseball journey with the Aberdeen IronBirds. Despite it being his initial phase in professional baseball, he scored a respectable .273 batting average, hit three home runs, and made 25 runs batted in (RBIs). His outstanding performance earned him several accolades and recognition.

In the following years, Michael steadily ascended the ranks in the competitive realm of baseball. Alongside his teammates at the Delmarva Shorebirds and the Frederick Keys, he shone brightly, leading the league with remarkable scores and proving himself to be an indomitable force in baseball.

His 2015 season with the Bowie Baysox was phenomenal, where he scored a .246 batting average with six home runs and 59 RBIs. The following year, he played with both the Bowie and the Norfolk Tides, where he posted impressive statistics of a .234 batting average, with 13 home runs, and 59 RBIs.

Unfortunately, Michael had to face a minor setback during the 2016 season because of a surgery he underwent, rendering him unfit for the beginning of the 2017 seasons. Nevertheless, he bounced back and joined the Tides for 81 games, delivering an extraordinary performance.

In 2019, the Baltimore Orioles traded Michael to the San Francisco Giants. He began the 2019 season with the Sacramento River Cats, where he delivered exceptional performances with an average of .316/.414/.676, 38 runs, 12 home runs, and 25 RBIs in 136 bats.

May 25, 2019, marked a major milestone in Michael’s career when the Giants promoted him to the Major Leagues. He got his first career hit shortly after his debut and hit his first career home run against the Baltimore Orioles, his former organization. Later that year, he hit his career’s 20th home run at Fenway Park, where his grandfather played his entire 23-year MLB career.

Michael’s performance in the 2019 season was stellar. He played in 107 games, batting .272/.334/.518 with 21 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 64 runs scored in 371 at bats. His phenomenal progress continued into 2020, where he hit his 30th home run in his 151st game. By the end of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he had led the NL in triples (4) and range factor per 9 IP as a right fielder (2.38), ranking 8th in OPS (.968), 9th in doubles (14), and 10th in OBP (.400).

His dedication and prowess won him the Willie Mac Award for being the Giants’ most inspirational player. His performance in the 2021 regular season was equally, if not more, impressive, batting .224/.311/.457 with 28 doubles, 25 home runs, and 71 RBIs in 468 at bats.

Known for his resilience, perseverance and team spirit, Michael agreed to a $3.7 million salary for the 2022 season, followed by a $6.1 million contract for the 2023 season, and a $7.9 million salary for the 2024 season.

Beyond his professional life, Michael is deeply connected to his family. Hailing from Andover, Massachusetts, his father, Carl Jr., played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles, and his mother, Anne-Marie, has been a strong cornerstone in his life. Michael shares a strong bond with his grandfather, Carl Yastrzemski, a living legend in the field of baseball, who taught him his striking techniques.

On the personal front, Michael married his Vanderbilt sweetheart, Paige Cahill, in November 2018. The couple is blessed with two children. Today, Michael continues to inspire countless people around the globe both on and off the field. His performance in the field is a testament to the rigorous training, immense dedication and true passion that he brings to the world of professional baseball.