Jarrod Dyson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jarrod Dyson |
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Dyson with the Kansas City Royals in 2012
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: August 15, 1984 McComb, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 7, 2010, for the Kansas City Royals | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 2, 2021, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .244 | ||
| Home runs | 21 | ||
| Runs batted in | 185 | ||
| Stolen bases | 266 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Jarrod Martel Dyson (born August 15, 1984) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a speedy center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Dyson played for several teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was known for his incredible speed, which helped him steal many bases and play great defense in the outfield.
Dyson was first chosen by the Royals in the 50th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut on September 7, 2010.
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Early Life and College Baseball
Born and raised in McComb, Mississippi, Dyson went to McComb High School. He was a star in both baseball and football, playing as a running back. Even though he earned All-Division honors, many scouts didn't notice him because he was smaller than other players.
Dyson later attended Southwest Mississippi Community College. There, he tied a school record with seven triples in one season. He also set a new record by scoring 47 runs.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
The Royals drafted Dyson in 2006, picking him 1,475th overall. He signed with the team for $5,000. He started his professional career that year with the AZL Royals. He hit .273 and stole 19 bases in 51 games, showing off his speed right away.
He continued to play in the minor leagues for several years. In 2008, he played for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, stealing 39 bases. By 2009, he stole 46 bases across two minor league teams. His speed was a key part of his game.
Playing for the Kansas City Royals
First Call-Up (2010)
Dyson was called up to the major leagues in September 2010. He played in 18 games for the Royals, mostly in center field. He stole nine bases in just 57 times at bat. He was known as one of the fastest outfielders in baseball.
Pinch Runner and Outfielder (2011-2014)
In 2011, Dyson often came into games as a pinch runner. He would run for slower players like Billy Butler. He stole 11 bases that year in limited playing time.
In 2012, Dyson got more chances to play because the starting center fielder, Lorenzo Cain, was injured. Dyson played in 102 games, hitting .260 and stealing 30 bases. His speed and ability to run the bases were very clear.
In 2013, he set a personal best with 34 stolen bases. He continued to be a valuable player for the Royals. In 2014, he tied for the league lead in stolen bases during spring training. He finished the regular season with 36 steals, which was third-best in the American League. He often came in late in games to play defense or pinch run.
World Series Champion (2015)
In 2015, Dyson signed a new contract with the Royals. He was expected to be a key backup outfielder. He played an important role in the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets.
In Game 5, the Royals and Mets were tied in the 12th inning. Dyson, known for his speed, pinch ran for Salvador Perez. He quickly stole second base. Then, he moved to third base on a ground out. Finally, Christian Colón hit a single, and Dyson scored the go-ahead run. The Royals won the game 7-2 and became the 2015 World Series Champions!
Strong Season (2016)
In 2016, Dyson had one of his best seasons. On July 18, he hit his first career grand slam against the Cleveland Indians. He played in 107 games, hitting .278 and stealing 30 bases. He also had career highs in doubles (14) and triples (8).
Moving to Other Teams
Seattle Mariners (2017)
In 2017, Dyson was traded to the Seattle Mariners. He continued to show his speed, stealing 28 bases. However, his season ended early in September when he needed pelvic surgery.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2018-2019)
In 2018, Dyson signed a two-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His first season with Arizona was tough due to injuries. He played in 67 games and hit .189. In 2019, he played more, hitting .230.
Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox (2020)
In 2020, Dyson signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Later that year, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. Between both teams, he played in 61 games during the shortened season.
Return to the Royals and Blue Jays (2021)
Dyson returned to the Kansas City Royals in 2021 for a second time. He played in 77 games, hitting .221 with 8 stolen bases. In August 2021, he was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays. He became a free agent after the season.
Personal Life
Jarrod Dyson grew up with three older brothers, one younger brother, and a younger sister. His mother, Cecilia, raised the family. They lived in public housing until Jarrod was eight years old. In January 2016, his hometown of McComb, Mississippi, honored him by renaming one of its streets "Dyson Drive."
