Giancarlo Stanton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton with the New York Yankees in 2018
New York Yankees – No. 27
Designated hitter / Outfielder
Born: (1989-11-08) November 8, 1989 (age 36) Panorama City, California, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
June 8, 2010, for the Florida Marlins
Career statistics (through April 18, 2026)
Batting average	.258
Hits	1,639
Home runs	456
Runs batted in	1,182
Teams
Florida / Miami Marlins (2010–2017) New York Yankees (2018–present)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022) NL MVP (2017) ALCS MVP (2024) 2× Silver Slugger Award (2014, 2017) 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2014, 2017) 2× NL home run leader (2014, 2017) NL RBI leader (2017)
Medals Men's baseball Representing  United States World Baseball Classic Gold 2017 Los Angeles Team

Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton (born November 8, 1989) is an American professional baseball player. He is a designated hitter and outfielder for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Yankees, he played for the Florida/Miami Marlins.

Stanton is known for his powerful hitting. He is the Marlins' all-time leader in home runs. He is also the only active player in MLB with more than 450 home runs. Giancarlo has represented the United States in international baseball competitions.

He grew up in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Marlins drafted him in 2007 after he graduated from Notre Dame High School. Stanton made his MLB debut in 2010. In 2014, he led the National League in home runs. That same year, the Marlins signed him to a very large contract, worth $325 million over 13 years.

In 2017, Stanton had an amazing season. He led MLB in home runs (59) and runs batted in (132). He won the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. After this great season, he was traded to the Yankees. Stanton is a five-time MLB All-Star. He has also won the Hank Aaron Award and Silver Slugger Award twice. In 2024, he was named the American League Championship Series (ALCS) MVP. This helped the Yankees reach their first American League pennant since 2009.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton was born in Panorama City, California. His father is of Irish background, and his mother is African-American with some Puerto Rican heritage. His parents divorced when he was eight years old. Giancarlo has a brother, Egidio, and a sister, Kyrice. He grew up in Tujunga, Los Angeles, and was a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Stanton attended Verdugo Hills High School for two years. He then moved to Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. There, he was a talented athlete in three sports. He played baseball, basketball, and football as a wide receiver and cornerback. He had scholarship offers for baseball from Tulane and for football from UCLA, UNLV, and USC.

Professional Baseball Journey

Draft and Minor League Years

Stanton at the 2009 All-Star Futures Game

The Florida Marlins chose Stanton in the second round of the 2007 MLB draft. Instead of going to college, Stanton signed with the Marlins. He received a $475,000 bonus.

He started his professional career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He quickly moved up to the Jamestown Jammers and then to the Greensboro Grasshoppers. With Greensboro, Stanton hit 39 home runs and had a .293 batting average. He also had 97 RBIs. He earned many awards for his great performance in 2008.

In 2009, Stanton played for the Jupiter Hammerheads and then the Jacksonville Suns. He was chosen for the All-Star Futures Game. Baseball America ranked him as a top prospect. In 2010, while playing for the Suns, he hit 21 home runs and had a .311 batting average in just 52 games. One of his home runs traveled an estimated 500 to 550 feet!

Florida / Miami Marlins (2010–2017)

2010: Rookie Season Debut

Stanton with the Marlins in 2010

On June 6, 2010, the Florida Marlins called Stanton up to MLB. He made his debut on June 8, becoming one of the youngest players in Marlins history. In his first game, he had three hits and scored twice.

Stanton's first MLB home run was a grand slam. He was one of only a few players to hit a grand slam as their first career home run. He also became one of the youngest players to hit a grand slam before turning 21. For his rookie season, his home runs traveled an average of almost 400 feet.

2011: Powerful Hitting

In 2011, Stanton dealt with leg and eye injuries. Despite this, he hit his first walk-off home run on July 6. He finished the season with 34 home runs and 87 RBIs. Stanton hit some of the longest home runs in MLB that year. His average home run distance was over 416 feet.

2012: First All-Star Selection

Stanton with a fan in 2012

On May 21, 2012, Stanton hit a grand slam that traveled 462 feet. It was one of the fastest hit balls ever recorded. He was selected for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby. However, he had knee surgery and missed both events.

Stanton finished the 2012 season with 37 home runs, which was second in the National League. He also had a career-high batting average of .290. His powerful hitting continued, with many "no-doubt" home runs.

2013: Injury Challenges

Stanton started the 2013 season strong, hitting a 472-foot home run. But he suffered a hamstring injury and missed six weeks of the season. Despite playing only 116 games, he hit 24 home runs. On June 17, he hit his 99th and 100th career home runs. This made him one of the fastest players to reach 100 home runs.

2014: All-Star and Big Contract

Stanton with the Marlins in 2014

On April 18, Stanton hit a walk-off grand slam. He also tied the Marlins' franchise record for career home runs. Later in the season, he suffered a serious face injury after being hit by a pitch. This ended his 2014 season early. He finished with 37 home runs and 105 RBIs. He placed second in the MVP voting.

In November 2014, the Marlins and Stanton agreed to a huge 13-year, $325 million contract. At the time, it was the largest contract in sports history.

2015: Setting Home Run Records

On April 16, Stanton hit his 155th career home run, becoming the Marlins' all-time home run leader. He continued to hit incredibly long home runs throughout the season. One home run at Dodger Stadium cleared the left-field stands. Another at Citi Field was the longest in that stadium's history. In June, he suffered a wrist injury that ended his season. Despite playing only 74 games, he hit 27 home runs.

2016: Home Run Derby Champion

Stanton makes a catch during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016.

In 2016, Stanton hit four home runs in four consecutive at-bats over two games. Even though he wasn't an All-Star, he participated in the Home Run Derby. Stanton won the Derby with 61 total home runs, setting a new record. He hit the 10 longest home runs in the competition. He finished the season with 27 home runs and 74 RBIs. He also hit the longest home run of the season in MLB, a 504-foot blast.

2017: National League MVP Season

Stanton in 2017 sliding at home plate in the Father’s Day-themed MLB uniforms

Stanton had an incredible 2017 season. He was selected for his fourth All-Star Game. In August, he hit his 250th career home run. He also set a Marlins franchise record with 43 home runs in a season. He even hit home runs in six games in a row!

On August 27, Stanton became the first player since 2013 to hit 50 home runs in one season. He finished the season with 59 home runs and 132 RBIs. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player. He also won his second Hank Aaron Award. After his MVP season, the Marlins tried to trade him.

New York Yankees (2018–Present)

On December 11, 2017, the New York Yankees acquired Stanton from the Marlins. He became the second player in MLB history to be traded after hitting 50 home runs in a season.

2018: Yankees Debut and Milestones

Stanton batting in April 2018, his first season with the Yankees

Stanton hit two home runs in his first game with the Yankees on Opening Day 2018. On May 15, he got his 1,000th career hit. On August 30, Stanton hit his 300th home run, becoming the 147th player in MLB history to do so.

He played 158 games in 2018, hitting 38 home runs and 100 RBIs. He also hit the ball with the highest exit velocity in MLB for the fourth year in a row. The Yankees made the playoffs, and Stanton hit his first career postseason home run.

2019: Injury-Limited Season

Stanton with the Yankees in 2019

Stanton faced several injuries in 2019. He was placed on the injured list multiple times due to a biceps strain and a knee injury. He played only 18 games that season, hitting three home runs.

2020: Postseason Power

The 2020 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stanton hit the first home run of the MLB season on Opening Day. He suffered another hamstring injury in August, limiting him to 23 games. He finished the regular season with four home runs and 11 RBIs.

In the playoffs, Stanton was amazing. He hit a grand slam in Game 1 of the 2020 American League Division Series. He hit six home runs in seven postseason games. Despite his great performance, the Yankees were eliminated.

2021: Strong Comeback

Stanton was placed on the injured list in May 2021 with a quadriceps muscle strain, missing 13 games. He returned to play in the outfield after a long time. He had a strong comeback season, hitting .273 with 35 home runs and 97 RBIs. In the 2021 American League Wild Card Game, he hit a home run against the Boston Red Sox.

2022: All-Star Game MVP

On June 17, Stanton hit his 361st home run, tying Joe DiMaggio's career record. On July 8, he was chosen to start the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It was his fifth All-Star selection and his first with the Yankees. Stanton hit a two-run home run in the game and was named the All-Star Game MVP.

In 2022, he hit 31 home runs and 78 RBIs. In the playoffs, Stanton hit a three-run home run in Game 5 of the ALDS. This helped the Yankees advance to the ALCS.

2023: More Milestones

On July 15, 2023, Stanton recorded his 1,000th RBI with a three-run home run. He became the second-fastest player since 2009 to reach 1,000 RBIs. On September 5, Stanton hit his 400th career home run. This made him the 58th MLB player to reach this milestone. He was also the fourth quickest player to do so. Despite these milestones, 2023 was a challenging season for him.

2024: ALCS MVP and Postseason Heroics

Stanton with the Yankees in 2024

Before the 2024 season, Stanton worked on his hitting and fitness. On June 4, 2024, he hit his 150th home run as a Yankee. He later had a hamstring injury in June but returned in July.

Stanton had a good season in 2024, hitting 27 home runs and 72 RBIs. In the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, he hit four home runs. He won the LCS MVP Award as the Yankees reached the 2024 World Series. Stanton hit two more home runs in the World Series. His seven home runs in the 2024 Postseason are tied for the third most ever in a single postseason. He became only the second player in MLB history to win an All-Star Game MVP, a League MVP, and a Championship Series MVP. In 2024, Stanton became the last active player in MLB who had played for the Florida Marlins.

2025: Reaching 450 Home Runs

Stanton started the 2025 season on the injured list due to elbow injuries. He was activated in June. On September 20, Stanton hit his 450th career home run against the Baltimore Orioles. He became the 42nd player to reach this milestone. In 77 games, he hit 24 home runs and 66 RBIs.

International Baseball Career

Stanton has played for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and 2017. In a key game against the Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Stanton hit a go-ahead two-run home run. This helped Team USA secure an important win. Team USA went on to win their first World Baseball Classic title that year.

Awards and Honors

Stanton posing with the 2016 Home Run Derby trophy

MLB

• 5× All-Star (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022)
• NL MVP (2017)
• ALCS MVP (2024)
• All-Star Game MVP (2022)
• Home Run Derby champion (2016)
• 2× Silver Slugger Award (2014, 2017)
• 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2014, 2017)
• 2× NL home run leader (2014, 2017)
• NL RBI leader (2017)
• Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award (2012)
• 50 Home Run Club (2017)
• 8× National League Player of the Week (August 15–21, 2010, August 26 – September 1, 2012, June 14–20, 2015, July 10–16, 2016, August 13–19, 2017, August 27 – September 2, 2017, September 24–30, 2017)
• American League Player of the Week (September 26 – October 2, 2021)
• 3× National League Player of the Month (May 2012, June 2015, August 2017)

International

• World Baseball Classic champion (2017)

About Giancarlo Stanton

Stanton's mother calls him "Cruz," which is his other middle name. His father and other relatives call him "Mike" or "Mikey." As a child, he was known as Giancarlo. But in sixth grade, he started using "Mike" because people often mispronounced his original name. He was known as "Mike Stanton" throughout high school, minor league, and his first two years in MLB. After a trip to Europe in 2011–12, he decided to go by Giancarlo again before the 2012 season.

See also

In Spanish: Giancarlo Stanton para niños