George Springer

Amateur career

Springer attended New Britain High School in New Britain, Connecticut for his freshman year of high school. He played on the varsity baseball team as a freshman despite standing 5-foot-2 and weighing 100 pounds. Springer transferred to Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Connecticut for his sophomore through senior seasons. He repeated his junior year as his grades dropped. Springer played for the Avon Old Farms' baseball team. The Minnesota Twins selected Springer in the 48th round of the 2008 MLB draft. Though he considered signing with Minnesota, he decided that he was not ready for professional baseball and did not sign.

Springer enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where he played college baseball for the Connecticut Huskies baseball team. At UConn, Springer was named to the 2009 Baseball America Freshman All-America First Team. He was also named the Big East Conference rookie of the year. In 2011, Springer was named the Big East Player of the Year. He was named a first team All-American by Perfect Game USA, Louisville Slugger and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, while being named a Second Team All-American by Baseball America.

Minor Leagues

The Houston Astros selected Springer in the first round, with the 11th overall selection, in the 2011 MLB draft. Springer became the highest selection in the MLB Draft in Connecticut baseball history. Springer signed with the Astros, receiving a $2.52 million signing bonus. After he signed, Springer played in eight games with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League. Before the 2012 season, MLB.com rated Springer as the 84th best prospect in baseball.

In 2012, Springer played for the Lancaster JetHawks of the Class A-Advanced California League and the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League. He hit 22 home runs and recorded 28 stolen bases for Lancaster. Splitting the 2013 season between Corpus Christi and the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, Springer joined the 30–30 club, recording more than 30 home runs and stolen bases. He appeared in the Texas League All-Star Game, and was named its most valuable player. Though he only played in 73 games for Corpus Christi, he was named the Texas League Player of the Year at the end of the season. He was a finalist for USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year Award.

Baseball America ranked Springer as the 18th-best prospect in baseball prior to the 2014 season. During spring training in 2014, Springer and his agent rejected a reported seven-year contract worth $23 million, despite having not yet reached the major leagues. Springer started the 2014 season with Oklahoma City. He hit for a .353 batting average and a .647 slugging percentage before being called up to the major league team in time for their April 16 game.

2014

Springer made his MLB debut on April 16, 2014, at Minute Maid Park against the Kansas City Royals. Batting second and playing right field, Springer collected his first career hit, an infield single, against Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. Springer hit the first home run of his MLB career on May 8, 2014 at Comerica Park off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly. On June 26, Springer hit his 15th homerun, becoming the first Astros rookie to reach that mark before the All-Star break. On July 23, 2014, Springer was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a left quad strain. On September 16, the Astros announced that Springer would not play for the remainder of the 2014 season. In 78 games in 2014, Springer batted .231 with 20 home runs, 51 RBIs and 114 strikeouts.

2015

During a game against the Texas Rangers on April 12, 2015, Springer robbed Leonys Martín of a potential game-winning grand slam by making a leaping catch by the wall in the 10th inning. The Astros would go on to win over the Rangers 6–4 in 12 innings. Springer, along with José Altuve, Carlos Correa and Dallas Keuchel, became a key figure in the 2015 Houston Astros miracle playoff run. The Astros won the wild card and made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. They lost to the future World Champion Kansas City Royals in the ALDS.

2016

Springer led the American League with 744 plate appearances in 2016, playing in all 162 regular season games. He set new career highs with 116 runs scored, 29 home runs, and 88 walks. The Astros finished 84-78, missing the playoffs.

2017

Springer achieved a number of career milestones during the first half of the 2017 season. He was selected as the American League Player of the Week for the first time in June, and made his first All-Star team in July, elected by the fans as a starter and batting cleanup for the American League in their lineup. The Astros took a 60-29 record into the All-Star break, the best start in franchise history.

After spending the first three seasons of his career in right field, Springer has primarily served as the Astros' center fielder in 2017. On July 28, Springer was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to left quad discomfort.

Personal life

Springer's grandfather, George, immigrated from Panama at age 17 and pitched for four years at Teachers College of Connecticut. Springer's father, George II, competed in the 1976 Little League World Series and played college football for the UConn Huskies. Springer's mother, Laura, is an american citizen from Puerto Rico who competed as a top-level gymnast. Springer has two sisters, Nicole and Lena, both of whom played softball in college.

As a child, Springer attended New Britain Rock Cats games and his favorite baseball player was Torii Hunter, with whom he played catch at 8 years old.

Springer has worked to overcome a stutter throughout his life. He does considerable charity work for the SAY Foundation in Houston, helping provide treatment and confidence for children with speech development difficulties.

Springer has participated in a baseball clinic hosted by Matt Barnes at the Newtown, Connecticut, Youth Academy for elementary school students in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.