Kevin Kiermaier, Right Field, Toronto Blue Jays


Date of Birth: 4/22/1990
Birthplace: Ft. Wayne, Indiana
College: Parkland College

Kevin Kiermaier, right fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010. He played in the Rays' minor league system from 2010 through the beginning of 2014. In 410 games in the minors, he had 402 hits, 122 RBIs, 86 stolen bases, and a .278 batting average.

In 2013, Kiermaier played in just one game with the Rays. He finished the 2014 season with 87 hits, 15 doubles, 35 RBIs, 71 strikeouts to 23 walks, and a .263 batting average in 108 games. Defensively, he made 237 putouts and 6 errors in 42 games in center field, 1 game in left field, and 68 games in right field.

Kiermaier batted .263 with 133 hits, 25 doubles, 18 stolen bases, and 40 RBIs in 151 games in 2015. He had an outstanding defensive season, winning his first Gold Glove and the Rawlings Platinum Glove as the best defensive player in the American League. As a center fielder, he made 410 putouts and 5 errors and he had a .988 fielding percentage in 148 games.

Kiermaier spent time on the DL with a fractured hand in 2016. In 105 games with the Rays, he batted .246 with 90 hits, 20 doubles, 12 home runs, and 37 RBIs. Defensively, he again had a good season and he won his second consecutive Gold Glove. As the Rays' center fielder in 104 games, he made 264 putouts and 2 errors.

Kiermaier and the Rays agreed to a new six-year, $53.5 million contract on March 20, 2017. The contract includes a club option for 2023.

Kiermaier spent time on the DL in 2017, limiting his playing time to 98 games. He finished the season with 105 hits, 15 doubles, a career high 15 home runs, 39 RBIs, 99 strikeouts to 31 walks, and a career high .276 batting average. Defensively, as the Rays' center fielder in 97 games, he made 242 putouts and 6 errors.

In 2018, Kiermaier was again on the DL, this time for half of the season. He finished the season with 72 hits and a .282 batting average in 88 games. Defensively, as the Rays' center fielder in 88 games, he made 232 putouts and no errors.

Kiermaier spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left thumb sprain. He finished the season with 102 hits, 20 doubles, 14 home runs, 55 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, 104 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a .278 batting average in 129 games. In the postseason, he had 3 hits, including a double and a home run, 3 RBIs, 7 strikeouts to no walks, and a .136 batting average in 22 at-bats in 6 games.

An outstanding center fielder, Kiermaier won his third Gold Glove in 2019. He made 250 putouts and 4 errors in 125 games.

Kiermaier played in 49 games in 2020. He finished the season with 30 hits, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, 22 RBIs, 42 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a .217 batting average. Defensively, he played 46 games in center field. In the postseason, he batted .255 with 14 hits, 5 doubles, 3 home runs, and 7 RBIs in 55 at-bats in 18 games.

Kiermaier spent time on the IL in 2021. He finished the season with 90 hits, 19 doubles, 7 triples, 37 RBIs, 99 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a .259 batting average in 122 games. Defensively, as a center fielder in 116 games, he made 229 putouts and 1 error. In the postseason, he had 3 hits, all doubles, and 1 RBI in 14 at-bats in 4 games.

Kiermaier became a free agent on November 10, 2022. He signed with the Blue Jays on December 14th.

Career batting statistics for Kiermaier through 2021 include:

  • 851 games played
  • 709 hits
  • 132 doubles
  • 75 home runs
  • 106 stolen bases
  • 294 RBIs
  • 675 strikeouts to 222 walks
  • .249 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Kiermaier as a center fielder through 2021 include:

  • 767 games played
  • 1,813 putouts
  • 19 errors
  • .990 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Kevin Kiermaier
ESPN - Kevin Kiermaier