José Bautista facts for kids

José Bautista
José Bautista
	Bautista with the Mets in 2018
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 19
	Third baseman / Outfielder
	Born: October 19, 1980 (age 38); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
debut
	April 4, 2004, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics; (through August 29, 2018)
Batting average	.247
Hits	1,486
Home runs	342
Runs batted in	970
Teams
	Baltimore Orioles (2004); Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004); Kansas City Royals (2004); Pittsburgh Pirates (2004–2008); Toronto Blue Jays (2008–2017); Atlanta Braves (2018); New York Mets (2018); Philadelphia Phillies (2018–present);
Career highlights and awards
	6× All-Star (2010–2015); 3× Silver Slugger Award (2010, 2011, 2014); 2× Hank Aaron Award (2010, 2011); 2× MLB home run leader (2010, 2011);

José Antonio Bautista Santos (born October 19, 1980) is a Dominican professional baseball right fielder and third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also played in MLB for the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets.

His professional career began when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 20th round of the 2000 first year player draft. In 2010, Bautista became the 26th member of the 50 home run club while leading the major leagues in home runs for the first of two consecutive seasons and, from 2010–15, hit more home runs than any player in the major leagues. An MLB All-Star selection six consecutive times, he has won three Silver Slugger Awards and two Hank Aaron Awards. In addition, he has received the American League Player of the Month Award five times and the Player of the Week four times. Before being traded to the Blue Jays, Bautista primarily played third base.

Although major league scouts initially noted Bautista while in junior college for his batting skills – including power hitting potential – and a strong throwing arm, his career took detours until realizing his potential in 2010. He made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2004, and, that year, became the first player ever to appear on five MLB rosters in one season.

The last of those clubs were the Pirates, where he played at five different positions as a utility player until being traded to the Blue Jays in 2008. After making adjustments to his swing, Bautista broke through with ten home runs in September 2009. He has since been voted in the top ten in the AL Most Valuable Player Award four times and is a leader or among the top ten in numerous offensive single-season and career categories in Blue Jays' franchise history.

In 2015, while playing in the playoffs for the first time, his bat flip in the American League Division Series caused a sensation that became a symbol of Toronto's first playoff appearance in 22 years. In 2011, he set up a program that assists athletes from the Dominican Republic to attend universities in the United States.

Awards and accomplishments

Bautista at bat in 2011

Awards

5× American League Player of the Month (Jul. 2010, Aug. 2010, Apr. 2011, May 2011, Jun. 2012)
4× American League Player of the Week (May 16, 2010; August 1, 2010; August 29, 2010; July 3, 2011)
Esurance's MLB Award for Best Play, Offense (2015)
2× Hank Aaron Award (2010, 2011)
John Cerutti Award (2010)
6× Major League Baseball All-Star (2010–15)
2× Neil MacCarl Award (2010, 2011)
3× Silver Slugger Award at outfield (2010, 2011, 2014)
Toronto Blue Jays Most Improved Player (2010)

Accomplishments

2× American League bases on balls leader (2011, 2015)
2× Major League Baseball home run leader (2010, 2011)
Major League Baseball on-base plus slugging percentage leader (2011)
Major League Baseball slugging percentage leader (2011)
Toronto Blue Jays top-ten in career on-base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, runs scored, total bases, home runs, runs batted in, bases on balls and adjusted on-base plus slugging percentage (through 2015)

Records

Major League Baseball record for largest single-season home run increase (39 from 2009 to 2010)
Toronto Blue Jays single-season most bases on balls (132 in 2011)
Toronto Blue Jays single-season most home runs (54 in 2010)
Toronto Blue Jays single-season most offensive WAR (8.3 in 2011)

Personal life

Bautista with Toronto in 2016

Bautista's nickname is "Joey Bats". Bautista and Neisha Croyle had their first daughter born April 2011, his second daughter was born in November 2012. Bautista and his girlfriend Neisha Croyle were married November 2017.

In 2011 Bautista set up a program to aid athletes to have the same opportunity he had to attend American universities. Initially focused on the Dominican Republic, it has expanded to Canada.

Bautista's younger brother, Luis played college baseball at Florida International University. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 32nd round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft and played in their minor league system through 2008.

Images for kids

Jose Bautista 2017
Bautista in 2009
Bautista talking to fans during 2015 spring training
José Bautista's bat flip after hitting a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of game 5 of the 2015 American League Division Series
Bautista in 2009
Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista 2011