Tyler Austin

Christopher Tyler Austin (born September 6, 1991) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Tyler Austin
Austin with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars
Yokohama DeNA BayStars – No. 3
First baseman
Born: (1991-09-06) September 6, 1991
Conyers, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: August 13, 2016, for the New York Yankees
NPB: June 19, 2020, for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Batting average.219
Home runs33
Runs batted in91
NPB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.289
Home runs49
Runs batted in133
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo Team

Austin played baseball for Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia, before the Yankees selected him in the 2010 MLB draft. He became a highly regarded prospect, but missed playing time due to injuries. Austin made his MLB debut in 2016. He played for the Yankees until 2018, when he was traded to the Twins. He has played for the Twins and the Giants in 2019. The Giants released him during the season, and he signed a minor league contract with the Brewers.

Early life

Austin is the oldest of three sons born to Kim and Chris Austin. He also has two younger brothers, Dylan and Kyle.[1] Though he grew up in Conyers, Georgia, 25 miles (40 km) from Atlanta, Austin grew up as a fan of the New York Yankees,[2] and considered Derek Jeter to be his favorite player.[3]

Austin attended Heritage High School in Conyers. He played for the school's baseball team as a catcher, third baseman, and pitcher. He was invited to play in amateur showcase tournaments, such as the AFLAC All-American Game.[4] In 2008, his sophomore season, Austin had a .626 batting average with 19 home runs, and The Rockdale Citizen named him the high school baseball hitter of the year.[5] At the age of 17, Austin was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had surgery to remove the tumor, but did not require chemotherapy as the cancer was caught early and did not spread to other parts of his body.[3]

Professional career

New York Yankees

Austin committed to attend Kennesaw State University on a college baseball scholarship to play for the Kennesaw State Owls.[4] Noticed by Yankees' area scout Darryl Monroe,[3] the Yankees selected Austin in the 13th round, with the 415th overall selection, of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft[6][7] as a catcher.[2] Austin chose to sign with the Yankees rather than enroll at Kennesaw State, receiving a $130,000 signing bonus.[3] He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, playing in two games.[8] In 2011, Austin began the season with the Gulf Coast Yankees, before receiving a promotion to the Staten Island Yankees of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League. He had a .354 batting average across the 2011 season.[9] Though he was drafted as a catcher, Austin spent most of his playing time as a first baseman and third baseman.[2]

Austin began the 2012 season with the Charleston RiverDogs of the Class A South Atlantic League. He was named to appear in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.[10][11] After hitting 14 home runs with Charleston, the Yankees promoted Austin to the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in July.[12] He was chosen to represent the Yankees in the All-Star Futures Game,[8][13] but suffered a head injury in July 2012, which caused him to withdraw from the game. After the end of Tampa's regular season, the Yankees promoted Austin again, this time to the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League, so that he could play for the Thunder during the Eastern League postseason.[14] He finished the 2012 season, hitting .322 with a .400 on base percentage, .559 slugging percentage, 17 home runs, and 80 runs batted in (RBIs).[15] Brian Cashman, the Yankees' general manager, referred to Austin as a "mega prospect" in August 2012.[14][16] Austin won the Yankees' Minor League Player of the Year Award for the 2012 season.[16]

Austin with the Trenton Thunder in 2014

Prior to the 2013 season, Austin was ranked as the 77th best prospect in baseball by Baseball America.[17] The Yankees invited Austin to spring training in 2013 as a non-roster player.[18] He played for Trenton, primarily as an outfielder. He was selected to appear in the Eastern League All-Star Game.[19] Austin went on the disabled list with a wrist injury in July,[20] which caused him to miss almost 60 games. He batted .257 with a .344 on-base percentage and a .373 slugging percentage with six home runs and 40 RBIs in 83 games for Trenton in 2013.[21] The Yankees assigned him to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League (AFL) after the regular season.[22]

Austin lost about 10 pounds (4.5 kg) by focusing on nutrition and gained strength during the 2013–14 offseason.[21] After battling a flare up of his wrist injury from the previous season,[20] he returned to Trenton for the 2014 season.[21] He batted .275 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs in 105 games during the 2014 season.[23] After the regular season, the Yankees again assigned Austin to Scottsdale in the AFL,[24] but his playing time was limited by a knee injury.[25] On November 20, 2014, the Yankees added Austin to their 40-man roster to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.[23]

Austin played for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Class AAA International League at the start of the 2015 season. He struggled with the RailRiders, hitting .230 before missing time with an injury in late June.[26] The Yankees demoted Austin to the Trenton Thunder after he batted .235 in 73 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[27] He batted .260 with two home runs and eight RBIs for Trenton.[28] The Yankees designated him for assignment at the end of the minor league season in September, removing him from their 40-man roster.[29] He went unclaimed on waivers, and the Yankees sent him outright to Trenton. The Yankees assigned him to the AFL for the third time after the 2015 season, as a replacement for the injured Eric Jagielo.[28]

The Yankees did not invite Austin to spring training in 2016. He began the season with Trenton, where he batted .260 in 50 games.[30] The Yankees promoted Austin to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre during the season.[31] Austin batted .323 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 57 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[32]

The Yankees promoted Austin to the major league roster on August 13, 2016.[32] He made his Major league debut that day. In his first at bat, he hit his first major league home run off Matt Andriese. With the next at bat, Aaron Judge, also making his debut, hit a home run. This marked the first time that two teammates had hit home runs in their first at bats in the same game.[33] Austin batted .241 with five home runs, but also had 36 strikeouts in 90 plate appearances.[34]

Austin suffered a fracture of the navicular area of his left foot on February 17, 2017. He was ruled out for six weeks.[35] On April 2, 2017, he was placed on the 60-day disabled list.[36] He returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on a rehabilitation assignment on May 26.[37] The Yankees activated him from the disabled list and optioned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 5.[38] The Yankees promoted Austin to the major leagues on June 24, after designating Chris Carter for assignment.[39] He batted 2-for-13 (.154) with a home run in four games before injuring his right hamstring.[40] He went on the disabled list, and was activated and optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on August 11. On August 17, Austin was called back up after Garrett Cooper was injured.[41] On August 19, Austin hit a three-run homer off Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale which helped them win a major game in a pennant race.

Austin with the New York Yankees in 2016

Austin made the Yankees' Opening Day roster in 2018.[42] On April 11, 2018, against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, Austin was hit by a pitch from Joe Kelly in possible retaliation for spiking Brock Holt earlier in the game. Austin then slammed his bat into the dirt in anger and charged the mound, causing a bench-clearing brawl. Four players, including Austin, were ejected. This was Austin's first career ejection.[43] The following day, Austin was suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount. Austin's suspension was reduced to four games on appeal.[44] On June 14, 2018, Austin was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.[45]

Minnesota Twins

On July 30, 2018, the Yankees traded Austin and Luis Rijo to the Minnesota Twins for Lance Lynn.[46] The Twins assigned him to the Rochester Red Wings of the International League, whom Scranton was playing at the time. He also hit a home run in his first game with Rochester.[47] The Twins promoted him to the major leagues, and he hit a home run in his first game as a Twin on August 11.[48] Austin batted .236 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 35 games for the Twins, and 17 home runs in 69 games with the Yankees and Twins.[49]

Austin made the Twins' Opening Day roster in 2019, though the Twins also added C. J. Cron and Nelson Cruz as options to play first base and designated hitter. On April 6, 2019, Austin was designated for assignment following the selection of Chase De Jong’s contract.[50]

San Francisco Giants
Austin with the San Francisco Giants in 2019

On April 8, 2019, the Twins traded Austin to the San Francisco Giants for Malique Ziegler.[51] Austin batted .187 for the Giants, and they designated him for assignment on August 2.[52] Shortly thereafter, Austin elected free agency.[53]

Milwaukee Brewers

On August 16, 2019, Austin signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, who assigned him to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[54] After he batted .333 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 15 games for San Antonio, the Brewers promoted Austin to the major leagues on September 1.[55] Austin became a free agent following the 2019 season.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars

On November 15, 2019, Austin signed a one-year contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball.[56][57]

International career

On July 2, 2021, Austin was named to the roster for the United States national baseball team for the 2020 Summer Olympics, contested in 2021 in Tokyo.[58] The team went on to win silver, losing to hosts Japan in the gold medal game.[59]

Personal life

Austin co-designed a logo that has been printed on T-shirts, with the proceeds of the sales going to the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation.[48]

Austin married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, in January 2019.[60]

See also

References
  1. Norris, Josh (July 10, 2013). "Q&A with Thunder outfielder Tyler Austin from Eastern League All-Star Game". The Trentonian. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  2. Miller, Andrew (May 14, 2012). "Charleston RiverDogs' Tyler Austin making a name for himself". Post and Courier. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  3. Anthony McCarron (February 10, 2013). "Yankees prospect Austin beats cancer, rockets through system". NY Daily News. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  4. Kurt Aschermann Jr. (June 5, 2010). "Austin getting major league workouts". The Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  5. Gillespie, Jeff (August 31, 2008). "Austin, Bazzani, Davis, Dyer take top honors in all-area baseball". The Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  6. "Heritage grad Austin taken by Yankees in draft". The Rockdale Citizen. June 7, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  7. Britton, Tim (June 8, 2010). "Athleticism is Yanks' priority in Day 2 of Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  8. "Emerging Austin Yanks' rep for Futures Game". Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  9. Duggan, Dan (April 20, 2013). "Yankees prospect Tyler Austin tries to keep big-league fantasies from being a distraction". Newsday. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  10. Kurt Aschermann Jr. (June 21, 2012). "Austin selected for Future's Game". The Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  11. Mayo, Jonathan (June 20, 2012). "Prospects pack rosters for 2012 All-Star Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  12. "Charleston RiverDogs stars Williams, Austin, Sanchez promoted to Yankees' High-A team in Tampa". The Post and Courier. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  13. "Charleston's Tyler Austin Chosen for 2012 All-Star Futures Game". MiLB.com (Press release). Charleston RiverDogs. June 22, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  14. ""Mega prospect" Tyler Austin joins Trenton Thunder as Yankees retool AA roster for playoffs". NJ.com. September 2, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  15. Kurt Aschermann Jr. (July 31, 2012). "Heritage grad Austin battling through injury-plagued season". The Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  16. "Yankees name Tyler Austin and Mark Montgomery "Kevin Lawn Award" Winners". NJ.com. March 15, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  17. "2013 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 19, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  18. Kurt Aschermann Jr. (January 23, 2013). "Austin invited to spring camp". The Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  19. "Trenton Thunder's four Eastern League All-Stars underachieved in first half". NJ.com. July 10, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  20. "Outfielder Tyler Austin en route to Thunder after wrist rehab". The Trentonian. March 28, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  21. "Thunder's Tyler Austin arrives in Trenton with new approach". The Trentonian. April 7, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  22. Aschermann Jr., Kurt (August 27, 2013). "Tyler Austin selected for AFL". The Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  23. "Yankees add four players to major league roster, sell rights of INF Wheeler to Rakuten Golden Eagles". YES Network. November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  24. Heneghan, Kelsie (October 21, 2014). "New York Yankees' Tyler Austin plates two in Scottsdale's comeback". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  25. Cody Derespina. "Tyler Austin, Yankees outfield prospect, faces potential make-or-break year". Newsday. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  26. Kurt Aschermann Jr. (July 9, 2015). "Heritage grad Austin returns to lineup for Scranton". The Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  27. "Tyler Austin, Rob Segedin both happy for chance to play everyday". The Trentonian. March 28, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  28. "Yankees' Brian Cashman challenges fading top prospect Tyler Austin". NJ.com. October 14, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  29. "Prospect Tyler Austin designated for assignment – The LoHud Yankees Blog". The LoHud Yankees Blog. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  30. Franko, Kyle (August 13, 2016). "Thunder players and staff proud of Tyler Austin for making Yankees debut". The Trentonian. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  31. Hennigan, Shane (June 12, 2016). "RailRiders: Kyle Higashioka and Tyler Austin are seizing their opportunities in Scranton". The Citizens' Voice. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  32. "Yankees Insider: With A-Rod out, prospect Tyler Austin on the way". New York Daily News. August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  33. Vorkunov, Mike (August 13, 2016). "Yankees' Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge Hit Back-to-Back Homers in Debuts". The New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  34. Kuty, Brendan (January 9, 2017). "Yankees' Tyler Austin: What I'm doing to win 1st base battle". NJ.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  35. "Yankees' Tyler Austin breaks foot, will miss most of spring". The Trentonian. February 17, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  36. "Tyler Austin begins 2017 season on 60-day DL". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  37. "RailRiders Weekend Notebook: Tyler Austin finding his groove at the plate". Times Leader. June 17, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  38. Eberle, DJ (June 5, 2017). "What it means: Tyler Austin reinstated, optioned to SWB RailRiders". The Times Leader. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  39. Tasch, Justin (June 24, 2017). "It's Tyler Austin time at first as Yankees finally give up on Chris Carter". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  40. Mazzeo, Mike (June 29, 2017). "Yankees' Tyler Austin to have MRI on hamstring". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  41. "Yankees put 1B Cooper on 10-day DL, recall Austin". USA Today. Associated Press. August 17, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  42. Miller, Randy (March 27, 2018). "Superstitious Tyler Austin reacts to bad Greg Bird news, excited to be in Yankees' 1B mix". NJ.com. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  43. "Benches clear twice, 4 ejected as Yankees top Red Sox 10-7". MLB.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  44. "Tyler Austin Finally Gets a (Shorter) Brawl Suspension". New York Post. April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  45. "Yankees option Tyler Austin to Triple-A". Pinstripe Alley. June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  46. Caldera, Pete (July 30, 2018). "Yankees trade for Lance Lynn from Twins for Tyler Austin and Luis Rijo". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  47. Eberle, DJ (July 31, 2018). "Former RailRiders first baseman Tyler Austin reacts to trade to Twins". Times Leader. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  48. Berardino, Mike (August 11, 2018). "Tyler Austin hopes his impact spreads off the field". Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  49. Neal III, La Velle E. (October 9, 2018). "If not Mauer, then who plays first base for the Twins?". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  50. Helfand, Betsy (April 6, 2019). "Twins select contract of Chase De Jong, DFA Tyler Austin". Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  51. Zimmerman, Douglas (April 8, 2019). "SF Giants make trade for Tyler Austin". SFGate. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  52. Kerry Crowley (August 2, 2019). "SF Giants promote Steven Duggar, cut Tyler Austin". Mercurynews.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  53. Johnson, Dalton (August 9, 2019). "Giants claim reliever Kyle Barraclough; Tyler Austin elects free agency | NBCS Bay Area". Nbcsports.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  54. Brewers Player Dev (August 16, 2019). "Brewers Player Dev on Twitter: "We’ve signed Tyler Austin to a minor league contract and assigned him to @missionsmilb"". Twitter.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  55. "Amid flurry of player moves, Brewers designate Jeffress for assignment". Jsonline.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  56. Randy Miller (November 15, 2019). "MLB rumors: Yankees folk hero headed to Japan". NJ.com. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  57. "タイラー・オースティン選手 獲得のお知らせ". 横浜DeNAベイスターズ公式サイト (in Japanese). November 25, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  58. "USA Baseball announces Olympics roster". MLB.com. July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  59. "Baseball/Softball - United States vs Japan - Gold Medal Game Results". olympics.com. August 7, 2021. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  60. Ladson, Bill (May 24, 2018). "Tyler Austin raises cancer awareness". MLB.com. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
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