Xander Bogaerts, Shortstop, San Diego Padres

Date of Birth: 10/1/1992
Birthplace: Oranjestad, Aruba

Xander Bogaerts, shortstop for the San Diego Padres, has a brother who plays in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system. Bogaerts was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2009 when he was only 16 years old. He played in the minor leagues from 2010 through most of 2013 and he had a .296 batting average. In 2013, he played in just 18 games with the Red Sox.

In 2014, his first full season in the major leagues, Bogaerts had 129 hits, 28 doubles, 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, 138 strikeouts to 39 walks, and a .240 batting average in 144 games. Defensively, as a shortstop, he made 256 assists, 54 double plays, 138 putouts, and 10 errors in 99 games. He also played 44 games at third base.

Bogaerts had a strong 2015 season, both offensively and defensively. He received his first Silver Slugger award for batting .320 with 196 hits, 35 doubles, and 81 RBIs in 156 games. As Boston's shortstop, he made 429 assists, 95 double plays, 236 putouts, and 11 errors in 156 games and he had a .984 fielding percentage.

Bogaerts had another strong season in 2016, winning his second consecutive Silver Slugger award. In 157 games, he batted .294 with 192 hits, 34 doubles, 13 stolen bases, and career highs in home runs (21) and RBIs (89). He had 12 at-bats in 3 postseason games and he batted .250 with 3 hits. Defensively, as Boston's shortstop in 157 regular season games, he made 355 assists, 73 double plays, 195 putouts, and 13 errors.

Bogaerts finished the 2017 season with 156 hits, 32 doubles, 15 stolen bases, 62 RBIs, 116 strikeouts to 56 walks, and a .273 batting average in 148 games. Defensively, as a shortstop in 146 games, he made 336 assists, 75 double plays, 199 putouts, and 17 errors. In the postseason, he had 1 hit, a home run in Game 4 of the ALDS, and 1 RBI in 17 at-bats in 4 games.

Bogaerts had another strong season in 2018, finishing with 148 hits, 45 doubles, 23 home runs, 103 RBIs, 102 strikeouts to 55 walks, and a .288 batting average in 136 games. Defensively, as a shortstop in 136 games, he made 336 assists, 65 double plays, 163 putouts, and 10 errors. In the postseason, he had 13 hits, including 2 doubles and 1 home run, 7 RBIs, and a .224 batting average in 58 at-bats in 14 games. He struck out 8 times and walked 7 times.

Bogaerts won his third Silver Slugger award in 2019. He finished the season with 190 hits, 52 doubles, 33 home runs, 117 RBIs, 122 strikeouts to 76 walks, and a .309 batting average in 155 games. Defensively, as a shortstop in 153 games, he made 347 assists, 70 double plays, 165 putouts, and 13 errors.

Bogaerts played in 56 games in 2020. He finished the season with 61 hits, 8 doubles, 11 home runs, 28 RBIs, 41 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a .300 batting average. Defensively, he played 53 games at shortstop.

Bogaerts had a strong offensive season in 2021, and he won his fourth Silver Slugger award. He finished the season with 156 hits, 34 doubles, 23 home runs, 79 RBIs, 113 strikeouts to 62 walks, and a .295 batting average in 144 games. Defensively, as a shortstop in 138 games, he made 362 assists, 76 double plays, 152 putouts, and 9 errors. In the postseason, he had 12 hits, 2 doubles, and 3 home runs in 46 at-bats in 11 games.

Bogaerts became a free agent on November 7, 2022. He signed with the Padres on December 9th.

Career batting statistics for Bogaerts through 2021 include:

• 1,114 games played
• 1,239 hits
• 270 doubles
• 141 home runs
• 610 RBIs
• 869 strikeouts to 404 walks
• .290 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Bogaerts at shortstop through 2021 include:

• 1,046 games played
• 2,571 assists
• 535 double plays
• 1,313 putouts
• 87 errors
• .978 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Xander Bogaerts
ESPN - Xander Bogaerts