.png)
TEN YEARS OF MLB SERVICE IS THE HOLY GRAIL FOR PLAYERS. THROUGHOUT BASEBALL HISTORY, FEWER THAN 10 PERCENT OF PLAYERS HAVE POSSESSED THE COMBINATION OF TALENT, HEALTH, RESILIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND GOOD FORTUNE TO ACHIEVE THE FEAT.
THIS YEAR, THE MLBPA WILL BE RECOGNIZING THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE FRATERNITY, STARTING WITH THE PLAYERS WHO PASSED 10 YEARS OF SERVICE TIME IN APRIL, MAY, JUNE, JULY & AUGUST.
10 YEARS
AUGUST
Miguel Rojas, a Venezuela native, has been a versatile performer and popular teammate over parts of 11 seasons with the Dodgers and Marlins. After signing his first professional contract with the Reds at age 16 in 2005, he spent eight seasons in the minor leagues before breaking into the majors with Los Angeles in 2014. While shortstop is his primary position, he has logged time at all four infield spots, left field and DH and made three appearances as a pitcher. Miguel established career highs with 11 homers, 53 RBIs and 153 games with Miami in 2018.
J.T. Realmuto was a three-sport star at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Okla., before being drafted by the Marlins in 2010. Originally a shortstop, he transitioned to catcher in the minor leagues, and his hitting, speed and defensive acumen made him a premier backstop prospect. J.T. leads all catchers in games played, runs, hits, doubles, triples and stolen bases since his rookie season in 2015. He has three Silver Slugger awards and two Gold Gloves. In 2022, he joined Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez as the second catcher to record a 20-20 season.
Randal Grichuk’s initial exposure to elite competition came in 2003-2004, when he represented his hometown of Richmond, Texas, in the Little League World Series. A year later, he appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd’’ section. He signed with the Angels as the 24th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and made his major league debut with St. Louis in 2014. He has played all three outfield positions in a career that has also included stints with the Blue Jays, Rockies and Diamondbacks. Randal has a career slugging percentage of almost .500 vs. lefties and averaged 25 home runs a season from 2016-2019.
Christian Vazquez was selected by the Boston Red Sox out of his native Puerto Rico in the ninth round of the 2008 draft. After eight years with the Red Sox, he has spent the past three seasons with the Astros and the Twins. Christian’s best offensive season came in 2019, when he hit 23 homers and drove in 72 runs with Boston. He was also a Gold Glove finalist at catcher. He was the starting catcher in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, when Houston’s Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly threw a combined no-hitter against the Phillies.
James McCann grew up in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he was Little League teammates with future big leaguer Jeff McNeil. He played college ball for the University of Arkansas and signed with the Tigers as a second-round pick in the 2011 draft. He has since played for the White Sox, Mets and Orioles, and made the AL All-Star team in 2019, when he hit .273 with 18 homers for Chicago. He was behind the plate for Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter in 2020, and caught a combined no-hitter by Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz with the Mets in 2022.
Joc Pederson has been a consistent power source for five MLB teams over the past decade. Like his father, Stu, Joc signed his first professional contract as a Dodgers draft pick, when he was selected out of Palo Alto High School in California in 2010. He debuted in 2014 and became the everyday centerfielder the following season, earning his first All-Star selection. Joc won back-to-back World Series with Los Angeles in 2020 and the Braves in 2021. He was named an All-Star again with the Giants in 2022. He currently plays for the Diamondbacks and represented Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
A Medford, N.Y., native, Marcus Stroman played college baseball for Duke University before being drafted by the Blue Jays in 2012. He has maintained a successful 10-year career on the mound with masterful pitch command and movement while defying conventional scouting metrics at 5-foot-8. With a career 3.67 ERA, Marcus is a two-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove in 2017. After six seasons with Toronto, he was traded to his hometown Mets in 2019. He played two years with the Cubs before signing with the Yankees this year. Marcus won MVP for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and represented Puerto Rico in 2023.
Kirby Yates has logged 411 career appearances, all in relief, in stops with the Rays, Yankees, Angels, Padres, Braves and Rangers. Among Hawaii natives, he ranks second all-time in games pitched behind Charlie Hough. The brother of former big league pitcher Tyler Yates, Kirby is a two-time All-Star and led the National League with 41 saves with San Diego in 2019. He recovered from his second Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery in 2021 to claim the Rangers’ closer job and earn his second career All-Star berth in July.
Andrew Chafin, an Ohio native and former Kent State University Golden Flash, has carved out a successful career as a durable reliever with the Diamondbacks, Cubs, Tigers, Athletics, Brewers and Rangers. He overcame an elbow reconstruction in 2010 to sign with Arizona as a first-round draft pick the following year. During a three-year span from 2017-2019, he ranked first among major-league pitchers with 225 appearances. On June 24, 2021, Chafin and Cubs teammates Zach Davis, Ryan Tepera and Craig Kimbrel threw a combined no-hitter against the Dodgers.
Nick Ahmed, born and raised in western Massachusetts, played college ball at the University of Connecticut with future big leaguers George Springer, Matt Barnes and Mike Olt. The Braves selected him in the second round of the 2011 draft and sent him to Arizona two years later as part of a seven-player trade. Ahmed made a two-way impact in 2018-2019, capturing back-to-back Gold Glove Awards at shortstop while averaging 18 homers and 76 RBIs for the Diamondbacks. He attained 10 years of service while splitting time between the Giants and Dodgers this season.
10 YEARS
JULY
From Baní, Dominican Republic, José Ramirez has been a pillar of Cleveland’s lineup for over a decade. The switch-hitter signed with the team in 2009 and made his major league debut four years later. During José’s first season as an everyday player in 2016, Cleveland won its first pennant in 19 years. Since then, he has earned four top-five finishes in MVP voting, won four Silver Slugger awards and climbed several statistical franchise leaderboards. He joined the elite 30-30 club in 2018, tallying 39 home runs and 34 stolen bases.
Los Angeles native Kevin Pillar graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills and was selected by the Blue Jays in the 32nd round of the 2011 draft. His ball-hawking prowess in the outfield, as shown in any reel of his impressive home run robberies and diving catches, has helped him sustain a 12-year career in MLB with nine different teams, including stints with his hometown Angels and Dodgers. Per FanGraphs, Kevin ranks in the top three in putouts among MLB outfielders since 2015. He has won both a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year and a Fielding Bible award.
Since his debut in 2014, Nashville native Mookie Betts has wowed the baseball world with his elite play on both ends. Drafted by the Red Sox 172nd overall in 2011, Mookie has been selected to every All-Star game since 2016 and earned six Gold Gloves. In 2018, he became the first player ever to win an MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, batting title and World Series title in the same season. Two years later, he won another championship with the Dodgers. He entered the league as an outfielder, has spent time at second base and transitioned into a full-time shortstop this season.
Kansas native Blake Treinen was drafted twice out of Baker University, eventually signing with the Athletics in 2011. He made his MLB debut with the Nationals in 2014 and immediately became one of the most reliable bullpen options in the league. In 2018, he was named an All-Star in his second stint with Oakland, recording an impeccable 0.78 ERA and a career-high 100 strikeouts in 68 appearances. Blake signed with the Dodgers in 2019 and was a key bullpen contributor to a World Series team the following season.
Eugenio Suárez was signed as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela by the Tigers in 2008. He became an everyday third baseman in 2016, providing a consistent power source in the lineup for the Reds, Mariners and Diamondbacks. Eugenio was named to his first All-Star team in 2018. The following year, he hit 49 home runs, tying the second-highest for a season in Reds history. He ranks top eight in the league in total home runs since 2017.
Born in Valencia, Venezuela, David Peralta is a popular teammate and one of the best players in Diamondbacks history. His 960 hits in an Arizona uniform rank third in franchise history behind Luis Gonzalez and Paul Goldschmidt. Originally a pitcher in the minor leagues, David transitioned into a skilled outfielder after suffering shoulder injuries. He won a Silver Slugger in 2018 and a Gold Glove in left field the following year. He represented Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Cypress, Texas, native Robbie Grossman broke into pro baseball out of high school when he was drafted by the Pirates in 2008. He hit impressive benchmarks with 100+ walks and 100+ runs scored to win Pittsburgh’s Minor League Player of the Year award in 2011. Two years later, he batted leadoff in his MLB debut with the Astros. During his 12-year career with seven different teams, Robbie has amassed over 1100 games played and over 900 hits. Last season, he helped the Rangers win their first World Series title in franchise history.
Anthony DeSclafani grew up in New Jersey and played college baseball for the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2011 and traded to Miami the following year. Since making his MLB debut in 2014, Anthony has recorded 830 strikeouts and 942.2 innings in 180 games pitched for the Marlins, Reds and Giants. He had a career year with San Francisco in 2021, recording a 13-7 record and 3.17 ERA in 31 starts, including a league-leading two complete game shutouts. Now with the Minnesota Twins, Anthony is rehabbing from flexor tendon surgery.
Kiké Hernández’s long tenure in MLB is a testament to his versatility. Drafted by the Astros in 2009 as a second baseman, he developed into a reliable utility player in the big leagues. Since his MLB debut in 2014, he has played 30 or more games at every non-battery position on the field. Kiké has also played for the Marlins, Red Sox and Dodgers. He won a World Series with Los Angeles in 2020 and a silver medal with Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
10 YEARS
JUNE
Kyle Hendricks, a California native and Dartmouth Big Green, was drafted by the Rangers in 2011 and traded to the Cubs the following year. Since then, “The Professor” has pitched with craftiness and consistency for 11 big league seasons. In 2016, he won the ERA title with a 2.13 mark and finished third in Cy Young voting. He strung together several masterful performances that postseason to help the Cubs win their first World Series title since 1908.
10 YEARS
MAY
Kevin Kiermaier grew up in Indiana and played at Parkland College in Illinois before being drafted in the 31st round by the Rays in 2010. He made his major league debut in Game 163 of the 2013 season against the Rangers as a defensive replacement. Two years later, he established himself as one of baseball’s best gloves, tallying 42 Defensive Runs Saved (the most in a single season since the statistic was recorded) and a 5.0 defensive bWAR (fourth highest in a season). Kiermaier’s trophy case includes four Gold Glove Awards with the Rays and Blue Jays, three Fielding Bible Awards, two Wilson Defensive Player of the Years, and a 2015 AL. Platinum Glove.
Born in San Francisco, Marcus Semien was drafted 201st overall by the White Sox in 2011 and became an everyday player when he returned to the Bay Area in 2015 as an Oakland Athletic. In 2021, he had a career year with the Blue Jays, earning his first All-Star selection, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove while setting the record for most home runs in a season by a second baseman with 45. Two years later, he was named an All-Star and Silver Slugger again and won a World Series title with the Texas Rangers. Durability is a Semien hallmark; he has played 162 games three times in his career and leads MLB in games played since 2021.
Born in Miranda, Venezuela, Ehire Adrianza began his professional career in the Giants organization in 2006 and made his MLB debut in 2013. His first career home run spoiled Andy Pettitte’s no-hit bid in his final start at Yankee Stadium. The following year, Adrianza played 53 games for the Giants during their championship season. Ehire won another World Series title with the Braves in 2021. A versatile glove, he also played for the Twins and Nationals before signing with the Angels this offseason.
10 YEARS
APRIL
George Springer, a Connecticut native and UConn Huskie, was drafted 11th overall in 2011 by the Astros. He made his MLB debut in 2014, joining a young and talented roster poised for postseason success. During Houston’s championship run in 2017, Springer hit five home runs in seven games to win the World Series MVP award. His 19 career postseason homers are tied for sixth most in MLB history. He made three All-Star teams and won two Silver Slugger awards with Houston before signing with the Blue Jays in 2021. He earned another All-Star selection in 2022.
Jurickson Profar was born in Willemstad, Curaçao, and helped the country reach back-to-back Little League World Series championship games, winning it all in 2004. Originally a pitcher, he has played every non-battery position in the big leagues. Since hitting a home run in his first major league at-bat in 2012, Profar has played over 950 MLB games for four different teams despite missing two seasons recovering from a shoulder injury. He is the 13th Curaçao-born MLB player ever and just the third to reach 10 years of service time.
Liam Hendriks chose baseball over his Western Australian hometown’s more traditional sports of cricket and football. He signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2007 and made his MLB debut in 2011. He emerged as one of baseball’s best bullpen arms with the Athletics and White Sox, earning three All-Star nods and two AL Reliever of the Year Awards and finishing top-10 in AL Cy Young voting twice. Off the mound, Hendriks is one of baseball’s best models of humility and perseverance. A five-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, he won AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 after returning from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, inspiring peers and fans alike.
A Colorado native and LSU Tiger, Kevin Gausman was selected fourth overall by the Orioles in the 2012 MLB draft and made his debut just one year later. As predominantly a starter, he also pitched for the Braves, Reds and Giants before signing with the Blue Jays in 2021. With a windup change to increase velocity and a deceptive fastball/splitter combination, Gausman has aged gracefully as a pitcher. In his last three seasons, he was named to his first two All-Star teams and finished top-10 in Cy Young Award voting each year.
Nicknamed “Big Maple,” James Paxton became the first Canadian pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Canada when he beat the Blue Jays on May 8, 2018. The Kentucky Wildcat had a brief stint with the Grand Prairie AirHogs in the independent American Association in 2010. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Mariners that summer and made his MLB debut in 2013. Now 35 years old, Paxton has maintained exceptional consistency throughout his career. . In 161 games started with the Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers, he has logged a 67-38 record with a 3.69 ERA.
Taijuan Walker was a two-sport athlete in high school but ultimately chose baseball over basketball when he was drafted 43rd overall by the Mariners in 2010. He made his major league debut in 2013, yielding just two hits in five innings against the Astros. Walker has a career 3.99 ERA in 199 games as predominantly a starter for the Mariners, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Mets, and Phillies. He was named an All-Star for the first time in 2021. He also represented Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, recording eight strikeouts and just one hit allowed in four innings against Great Britain.
Florida native Jacob deGrom switched positions from shortstop to pitcher at Stetson University and never looked back. The 6’4” right-hander was drafted in the ninth round by the Mets in 2010. He made his major league debut during a Subway Series in 2014, dominating the Yankees in seven innings with six strikeouts and just one run allowed. Despite battling multiple injuries throughout his career, deGrom has collected numerous pitching accolades, including two Cy Young Awards, four All-Star selections, a 2014 Rookie of the Year Award, and a 2018 ERA title. In 2022, he signed with the eventual champion Texas Rangers.