Full name is Markus Lynn Betts...Named after former NBA point guard Mookie Blaylock. His daughter, Kynlee, was born on 11/6/18. Signed by Danny Watkins (Red Sox). Graduated in 2011 from John Overton (TN) High School...Was also a member of the baseball and basketball teams and was a standout bowler. His uncle, Terry Shumpert, played in 854 ML games with KC (1990-94), BOS (1995), CHC (1996), SD (1997), COL (1998-2002), and TB (2003)...
2018
Earned the BBWAA's American League MVP Award...Also earned Rawlings Gold Glove and Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards. In his 4th full ML season, hit .346 (180-for-520) with 42 2B, 5 3B, 32 HR, 129 runs, 80 RBI, 30 steals, a .438 OBP, .640 SLG, and 1.078 OPS. According to Baseball-Reference, led the majors in WAR (10.9), the highest mark for any position player since Barry Bonds in 2002 (11.8). Also led the majors in AVG and SLG and ranked 2nd in OBP, OPS, and XBH (84)...Tied for the ML lead in runs scored with Francisco Lindor, who played in 22 more games than Betts did. Tabbed AL Outstanding Player by the MLBPA. Named the overall Heart and Hustle Award winner by the MLB Players Alumni Association...The award is given annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game...s the 1st Red Sox player to win the AL batting title since Bill Mueller in 2003 (.326), and the 1st to lead the majors in AVG since Wade Boggs in 1988 (.366). Is the only major leaguer ever to win a batting title for either league in a season in which he also hit 30+ HR and stole 30+ bases (source: Elias). Is the 1st Red Sox player to lead the majors in both AVG and SLG since Ted Williams in 1957 (.388/.731). Became the 3rd Red Sox player to hit .340+ with 80+ XBH, joining Ted Williams (4 times) and Jimmie Foxx (1938). Is the only player in MLB history to steal 20+ bases and hit 40+ doubles in 4 consecutive seasons (source: Elias). His 129 runs scored were the most by a Red Sox player since Dom DiMaggio in 1950 (131). Was the only AL player in 2018 to hit for the cycle, and the only major leaguer to hit 3+ HR in multiple games. Recorded 5 OF assists and committed 1 error... According to FanGraphs, ranked T-4th among players at any position with 20 defensive runs saved. Reached base 4+ times in an MLB-high 20 games. His 7 games with 3+ XBH were the most by a player in a single season since at least 1908. Became only the 2nd Red Sox player ever to hit 40+ doubles in 4 straight years, joining Wade Boggs (7 straight years, 1985-91). Scored 100+ runs for the 3rd consecutive season, joining Ted Williams (1939-42) as the only Red Sox ever to record three 100-run seasons before turning 26. Became the 4th Red Sox player ever to record three 20-HR seasons before turning 26, joining Tony Conigliaro, Jim Rice, and Ted Williams. Became the youngest player to reach 100+ HR and 100+ steals with the Red Sox...The only other players to hit 100+ HR with the Sox before turning 26 are Tony Conigliaro (160), Jim Rice (133), and Ted Williams (127). Has hit 89 HR as a leadoff hitter, passing Johnny Pesky (69) for the most in Red Sox history...Also extended his franchise records for most leadoff HR (16) and most multiHR games as a leadoff hitter (10). Was hitless in his first 16 spring training at-bats, then 17-for-36 (.472) with 3 HR in his final 13 ST games. On 4/10 vs. NYY, reached base in all 5 PA, scored a career-high 5 runs, hit his 3rd career grand slam, and doubled twice...Since RBI became an official stat in 1920, Betts is the only Red Sox player with 4+ hits, 4+ runs, and 4+ RBI in a game vs. NYY (source: ESPN Stats & Info). Also became the 1st Red Sox player ever to score 5+ runs in a game vs. NYY. Scored at least 1 run in 8 straight games from 4/1-11, his longest career streak until he broke that in July. From 4/17-5/4, hit 11 HR in only 14 games...According to Elias, he is the only Red Sox player ever to homer 11 times in a span of 14 games or fewer. Hit 3 HR on 4/17 at LAA, his 3rd career 3-HR game. Hit 3 leadoff HR in April (4/17 at LAA, 4/19 at LAA, and 4/25 at TOR)...He is the only Red Sox player ever to hit as many as 3 leadoff HR before May 1. Betts and Dwight Evans (3 in September 1985) are the only BOS players ever to hit 3+ leadoff HR in any calendar month (Betts also hit 3 leadoff HR in July 2016). Scored 29 runs in March/April, tied with ATL's Ozzie Albies for the ML lead...According to Elias, the only other players since 1900 to score 29+ runs before 5/1 are Bryce Harper (32 in 2017) and Larry Walker (29 in 1997)...Homered in 3 straight games for the 1st time in his career from 5/2-4 (5 HR total). On 5/2 vs. KC, went 4-for-4 with 3 HR...It was his 4th career 3-HR game, passing Ted Williams for the most such games in Red Sox history. Hit his 70th career HR as a leadoff hitter on 5/4 at TEX, passing Dom DiMaggio for the most in Red Sox history...Betts reached the mark in 355 games as a leadoff hitter; DiMaggio hit 69 leadoff HR in 1,038 games. Tied the modern MLB record for fewest games needed to reach 25 XBH in a season (28 games) (source: Elias). His 13th HR of the season on 5/4 tied Fred Lynn (1979) for the most HR in the Red Sox' first 32 games of a season. Scored 42 runs in the Sox' first 40 games, the most ever by a BOS player through 40 team games. Reached 10+ HR and 10+ stolen bases in the Sox' 44th game (5/17 vs. BAL), becoming the 2nd-fastest Red Sox player to reach those totals in a season (source: Elias)... Carl Yastrzemski did so in 33 team games in 1970. Placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left abdominal strain on 6/1 (retro to 5/29)...Missed 12 games before being reinstated on 6/11. Recorded a season-best 24-game on-base streak from 6/26-7/24, during which he hit .381 (37-for-97)... Hit safely in 12 straight games from 7/2-14. Had multiple hits in 6 straight games from 7/9-14, the longest streak of his career. Scored at least 1 run in 9 straight games from 7/6- 14 (13 R total), the longest such streak of his career. Reached base 4 times in consecutive games on 7/13-14 vs. TOR, his 1st time ever doing so...Hit 2 triples on 7/13. Led MLB with a .359 AVG at the All-Star break. Started MLB's 89th All-Star Game in RF on 7/17 at Nationals Park...Batted leadoff and went 0-for-3. Became the 7th Red Sox to start an All-Star Game as the leadoff hitter, joining Johnny Damon (2005), Pete Runnels (1959), Billy Goodman (1953), Dom DiMaggio (4 times), Bobby Doerr (1941), and Doc Cramer (1939). Became the 7th Red Sox to start an All-Star Game in 3 straight years, joining David Ortiz (2005-07, '11- 13), Wade Boggs (1986-92), Fred Lynn (1978-80), Carl Yastrzemski (1970-72), Frank Malzone (1958-60), and Ted Williams (1940-42, '49-51, '55-57). On 7/27 vs. MIN, hit his 1st career walk-off HR in the 10th inning of a 4-3 win. Reached base a career-high 6 times on 8/2 vs. NYY (3 1B, 1 2B, 2 BB)...The only other Red Sox since 1908 to reach base 6+ times in a 9-inning game vs. NYY are Dom DiMaggio (7/1/50) and Cecil Cooper (5/21/74). Recorded an 11-game hit streak from 8/5-17. Scored multiple runs in 5 consecutive games from 8/5-10, the longest such streak of his career and the longest for any player in 2018. Hit for the cycle on 8/9 at TOR (see box on previous page)...Was the only AL player to accomplish the feat in the 2018 regular season. Scored 25 runs in his final 25 games (beginning 8/26), posting a .405/.514/.702 batting line in that time (34-for-84, 10 2B, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 19 BB, 20 SO). In the Sox' division-clinching win on 9/20 at NYY, went 4-for-5 with 5 RBI, 3 R, 2 2B, and 1 HR...In the 8th inning, gave BOS an 11-6 lead with a 2-out, 3-run HR off Aroldis Chapman. In his next game on 9/23 at CLE, went 4-for-6 with 2 2B and 1 HR...Became the 1st Red Sox player ever to record at least 4 hits-including 3 XBH-in consecutive games (source: Elias). Prior to Betts, the last major leaguers to record at least 4 hits-including 3 XBH-in consecutive games were Jim Edmonds (2003), Mark McGwire (1987), and Don Baylor (1973). Homered in 3 straight games from 9/20-24...Hit safely in each of his final 6 games, going 14-for-23 (.609) with 5 2B and 3 HR in that time. POSTSEASON: Started each of the Red Sox' 14 postseason games, going 13-for-62 (.210) with 13 runs scored, 4 2B, 1 HR, and 2 outfield assists. Scored 10 runs in the Sox' final 9 postseason games...In Game 4 of the ALCS at HOU, robbed Jose Altuve of a HR in the 1st inning with a leaping attempt that was ruled a catch due to fan interference...In the 8th inning, threw out Tony Kemp attempting to stretch a single to a double. In Game 5 of the ALCS at HOU, made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Alex Bregman of a hit in the 6th inning. In the Red Sox' World Series clinching win in Game 5, gave BOS a 3-1 lead with a solo HR in the 6th inning.
2017
Hit .264 (166-for-628) with an .803 OPS, 24 HR, 46 2B, 102 RBI, and 101 runs scored in 153 games (all starts) for the Red Sox...Selected as the Thomas A. Yawkey Award winner (Red Sox MVP) by the Boston Baseball Writers. According to Baseball-Reference, his 6.4 WAR led the Red Sox and ranked 7th in the AL. Also led the Red Sox in games, runs, hits, doubles, HR, RBI, BB (77), SB (26), XBH (72), SLG (.459), and OPS. Earned his 2nd All-Star Game selection via the player ballot...Replaced Mike Trout (injury) in the starting lineup (CF), joining Ted Williams (1940-42) as the only Red Sox ever to start multiple All-Star Games before turning 25. Earned his 2nd consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award in RF...Also earned a 2nd consecutive Fielding Bible Award as the majors' top defensive RF. Was 1 of 8 major leaguers with at least 100 RBI and 100 runs scored...The only other AL players on that list were Justin Upton and Aaron Judge. Ranked in the top 10 in the AL in runs (6th), doubles (3rd), RBI (T-7th), BB (T-10th), XBH (T-6th), and SB (T-8th). Posted a career-best 0.97 BB/SO ratio (77 BB, 79 SO)...Among the 64 AL players with 20+ HR, only Mike Trout had a better BB/SO ratio (1.04; 94 BB/90 SO). Became the 1st Red Sox player ever with 20+ HR and 20+ SB in consecutive seasons...The only other Red Sox player with multiple 20/20 seasons is Jackie Jensen (1954, '59)...Also became the 1st Red Sox player ever with 15+ HR and 15+ SB in 3 straight seasons. Became only the 3rd Red Sox player ever to record 40+ doubles in 3 consecutive years, joining Wade Boggs (1985-91) and Jody Reed (1989-91). Joined Ted Williams as the only Red Sox players ever to record 100+ RBI in consecutive seasons before turning 25...He and Williams are also the only Red Sox with multiple 100-RBI/100-R seasons before turning 25. Ranked as the AL's best baserunner in the Baseball America Best Tools survey during the season. Led all players at all positions in ultimate zone rating (20.5), according to FanGraphs...Also ranked 2nd among all players in defensive runs saved (31). Was twice named AL Player of the Week (5/8-14 and 6/26-7/2), his 2nd and 3rd career weekly honors. Recorded 3 multi-HR games (2 as a leadoff hitter). Had 4 games with 3+ XBH, tied with Nolan Arenado for most in MLB... Made his 3rd consecutive Opening Day start on 4/3 vs. PIT, batting 3rd and playing RF. Named AL Player of the Week for 5/8-14...In that time, went 9-for-24 (.375) and led the AL in HR (tied, 3), XBH (7), RBI (11), runs (tied, 8), and total bases (22). Went 4-for-5 with a career-high 3 2B on 6/12 vs. PHI. Hit 2 HR out of the leadoff spot on 6/13 vs. PHI, setting a Red Sox career record for most multi-homer games as a leadoff hitter (6)...Johnny Damon held the previous record (5). On 6/16 at HOU, broke a 1-1 tie with a solo HR in the 8th inning of a 2-1 win. Named AL Player of the Week for 6/26-7/2...Led the majors in hits (14), RBI (11), and total bases (tied, 25) in that time, going 14-for-29 (.483) with 3 HR. On 7/2 at TOR, went 4-for-6 with 2 HR and 8 RBI...Set a Red Sox record for single-game RBI as a leadoff hitter. Also tied the MLB mark for single-game RBI as a leadoff hitter, becoming the 5th player to record 8 RBI from the top spot (also Ronnie Belliard in 2003, Jim Northrup in 1973, Bill Glynn in 1954, and Augie Bergamo in 1945). Was the AL's starting CF in MLB's 88th All-Star Game at Marlins Park on 7/11...Batted 9th and went 0-for-2...Threw out Nolan Arenado at 2B in the 4th inning. Was the only major leaguer with 15+ HR and 15+ SB at the All-Star break (16 HR, 15 SB), marking the 2nd consecutive season he reached those totals before the break...The only other Red Sox player to do that in even 1 season is Carl Yastrzemski (1970, 21 HR, 16 SB). Did not play on 7/26 at SEA, after starting each of the Sox' 98 games from 4/9-7/25...Was the club's longest streak since Mo Vaughn started 153 consecutive games in 1997-98 (source: Elias). Recorded an 18-game on-base streak from 8/15-9/2, the longest by a Red Sox player in 2017. Entered September with 78 RBI, but drove in 24 runs in his final 24 games (beginning 9/1). Scored the winning run in the Sox' 3-2, 19-inning win vs. TOR on 9/5...Went 3-for-7 with 2 2B in the game. On 9/12 vs. OAK, had 2 HR, a triple, and 6 RBI. In the Sox' 5-4 win at CIN on 9/24, recorded 2 OF assists, tied the game at 4-4 with a 3-run double in the 8th inning, and scored the winning run...It marked his 1st career game with multiple OF assists. Went 2-for-3 with a HR and 3 runs scored in the Sox' AL East-clinching win over HOU on 9/30...POSTSEASON: Hit safely in each of the Sox' 4 ALDS games vs. HOU, going 5-for-16 (.313) with 2 2B.
2016
Won Rawlings Gold Glove and Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards...Finished 2nd in AL MVP voting, started the MLB All-Star Game in RF, and was named a Sporting News AL All-Star. Ranked 2nd among ML position players in WAR (9.6), according to Baseball-Reference (Trout-10.6). Selected as the Thomas A. Yawkey Award winner (Red Sox MVP) by the Boston chapter of the BBWAA...Led the Red Sox in AVG (.318), runs (122), hits (214), and steals (26), and ranked 2nd behind David Ortiz in doubles (42), HR (31), XBH (78), RBI (113), SLG (.534), and OPS (.897). Ranked among ML leaders in hits (2nd), runs (T-2nd), doubles (T-6th), XBH (T-7th), RBI (5th), AVG (7th), SLG (16th), and OPS (18th)... Also ranked 6th in the AL and 17th in MLB with 26 steals in only 30 attempts; his success rate of 86.7% ranked 6th in the majors. Won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year and Fielding Bible Awards as the top defensive RF in the majors...Was also selected by Wilson as the best overall defensive player at any position...His 32 defensive runs saved were 10 more than any other major leaguer at any position (source: FanGraphs). Honored by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Legacy Awards as the AL MVP (Oscar Charleston Award). Became the youngest Red Sox to win a Gold Glove Award at any position since Fred Lynn earned the honor in 1975 as a 23-year-old OF...Also became the 4th Red Sox to win a Silver Slugger prior to the age of 25, along with Carney Lansford (1981), Nomar Garciaparra (1997), and Xander Bogaerts (2015, 2016). Was the 7th Red Sox to earn Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in the same season, joining Dwight Evans (1981), Ellis Burks (1990), Jason Varitek (2005), Dustin Pedroia (2008), Jacoby Ellsbury (2011), and Adrian Gonzalez (2011). His 214 hits were tied for the 3rd-highest single-season total in franchise history, the most ever by a Red Sox right-handed batter...Became the 14th Red Sox to record 200 hits (27 times)...Joined Johnny Pesky (205 hits in 1942) as the only Red Sox ever with 200 hits in a season before turning 24...Was the only OF in MLB with 200+ hits in 2016. Joined Ted Williams (1939, 1941) as the only Red Sox ever with 30+ HR and 100+ RBI in a season before turning 24. Became the 4th Red Sox to score 100 runs in a season prior to turning 24...Fred Lynn scored 103 runs in 1975 at age 23, Johnny Pesky scored 105 in 1942 (23), and Ted Williams scored 110+ each year from 1939-42, all before turning 24. Became only the 6th Red Sox ever to record 30+ HR, 40+ 2B, and 100+ RBI in a season, joining Ted Williams (twice), Fred Lynn, Manny Ramirez, Jacoby Ellsbury, and David Ortiz (4 times). Hit 6 leadoff HR, the 2nd-highest single-season total in Red Sox history (Nomar Garciaparra, 7 in 1997). Joined Jacoby Ellsbury (2011) as the only Red Sox with 30+ HR and 25+ SB in a season. Recorded multiple HR and 5+ RBI 4 times in 2016, tied for the most such games by a Red Sox in a single season... Jimmie Foxx also had 4 such games in his 1938 AL MVP season (source: ESPN Stats & Info). Ranked 1st in the AL and 2nd in MLB among OF with a .997 fielding percentage, committing only 1 error in 361 chances...Tied for the ML lead with 4 double plays as an OF...The last Red Sox RF with 4+ double plays in a season were Trot Nixon in 2000 (4) and Dwight Evans in 1980 (7). Ranked T-4th among OF with 14 assists...The only other Red Sox RF since 1960 with 14+ assists in a season is Dwight Evans (4 times)...The only RF with more assists in 2016 was Adam Eaton (15). Struck out 2 fewer times in 2016 (80) than he did in 2015 (82), despite recording 76 more plate appearances in 2016...His average of 9.13 PA/SO ranked 11th in the majors and 8th in the AL...Had the majors' 2nd-best PA/SO ratio among players with 30+ HR (Beltre-9.70). Did not strike out in his final 78 regular season plate appearances, beginning with his final PA on 9/12 vs. BAL, the longest such streak by a Red Sox since Wade Boggs went 107 PA without a strikeout in 1991 (source: Elias). Led MLB in AVG with 2 outs (.382)...Also batted above .300 vs. RHP (.331, 6th in MLB), at home (.335, 5th in MLB), on the road (.301), in day games (.333), in night games (.312), with the bases empty (.313), with runners on (.327), with RISP (.355), with RISP and 2 outs (.404, 4th in MLB), with the bases loaded (.313), vs. the AL (.317), and vs. the NL (.325). Led MLB with 113 hits at home, the most by a Red Sox since Nomar Garciaparra had 118 in 2003. Served as the Sox' leadoff hitter from the beginning of the season through 8/9...At the time he moved down in the order on 8/10, he had 15 more XBH (60) than any other leadoff hitter...Also led all leadoff hitters in hits (147), doubles (32), triples (tied, 5), HR (23), and RBI (74) at the start of play on 8/10. Hit .408 (31-for-76) with 9 HR and a 1.293 OPS in 19 games vs. the Orioles...According to Elias, the last Red Sox player with a .400 AVG and 8 HR against 1 team over an entire season was Ted Williams vs. CLE in 1957 (18 G, .474, 9 HR)...His 8 HR at Camden Yards tied for the most ever by a Red Sox in a single season as a visitor in a single ballpark; Jimmie Foxx had 8 HR at STL's Sportsman's Park in 1939 (source: Elias)...Elias also notes that Betts became 1 of 4 players since 1900 to hit at least 7 HR in their first 5 games at a park in a season; the others are Lou Gehrig at Cleveland's League Park in 1930 (7), Willie Mays at Milwaukee County Stadium in 1961 (7), and Carlos Beltran at Wrigley Field in 2004 (7). At 23 years old, became the Sox' youngest Opening Day starter in RF since Phil Plantier (23 in 1993). Gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead with a 2-run, 3rd-inning HR on 4/5 at CLE, his 2nd Opening Day homer in as many years (also 4/6/15 at PHI)... Became only the 7th Red Sox to go deep in consecutive years on Opening Day, joining Carl Yastrzemski (1973-74), Dwight Evans (1985-86), Jim Rice (1985-86), Tim Naehring (1996-97), Trot Nixon (2001-02), and Dustin Pedroia (2009-10)...Is the only player in that group to accomplish the feat before turning 24...The only other players in the last 20 years to homer in multiple Opening Day games at age 23 or younger are Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Jason Heyward, and Andruw Jones. In the Sox' home opener on 4/11 vs. BAL, led off the bottom of the 9th with a HR in his 1st PA against a LHP in 2016...Was his 100th career RBI...Marked his 2nd straight Red Sox home opener with a HR (also 4/13/15 vs. WSH). Collected 2 triples, a double, and a single on 4/22 at HOU...At 23 years and 198 days old, became the youngest Red Sox player with multiple triples in a game since Dwight Evans had a pair on 5/21/74 vs. NYY (22 years, 199 days)...In the last 100 years, the only other Red Sox with at least 4 hits, 2 triples, 1 double, and 3 runs scored in a game are Dom DiMaggio (5/28/50 at WSH) and Bobby Doerr (5/22/46 at CLE). Led off the Red Sox' 1st inning by reaching base in each of 5 straight games: 4/20 vs. TB (BB), 4/21 vs. TB (1B), 4/22 at HOU (3B), 4/23 at HOU (1B), 4/24 at HOU (1B)...Came around to score in each of those 5 instances. Tied a Red Sox record by recording an RBI in 7 consecutive games as a leadoff hitter from 5/9-15, later matching that streak from 7/26-8/1...The only other Red Sox to accomplish the feat are Chuck Schilling in 1961 (7/27-8/3) and Dom DiMaggio in 1940 (8/15-21)...DiMaggio (8/8-21/40 and 6/23-7/7/51) and Betts (5/9-15/16) are the only Red Sox leadoff hitters with an RBI in 7 consecutive games at Fenway Park. On 5/21 vs. CLE, recorded 5 RBI, his 3rd career multi-homer game, and his 2nd career grand slam...Became only the 3rd Sox leadoff hitter in the last 100 years to record at least 10 total bases and 5 RBI, joining Ellis Burks (10 TB, 7 RBI on 6/10/87 at BAL) and Roy Johnson (10 TB, 7 RBI on 6/27/32-g1 at PHI)...According to Elias, Betts became the 4th-youngest Red Sox player ever to hit 2 HR, including 1 with the bases loaded; only Bobby Doerr (age 21 in 1939), Ellis Burks (22 in 1987), and Dwight Evans (23 in 1975) accomplished the feat at a younger age...Elias also notes that Betts became the 4th Red Sox to hit 2 HR, including a grand slam, from the top slot in the lineup (also Doerr, Burks, Johnson). Had at least 2 hits, 1 XBH, and 1 run scored in 4 straight games from 5/18-22, tied for the longest such streak by a Red Sox leadoff hitter in the last 100 years (Also Harry Hooper, once in 1919 and once in 1920). On 6/1 at BAL, became the 1st major leaguer to score 50 runs in 2016 (in BOS' 53rd game)...According to Elias, the last Red Sox to reach 50 runs that quickly into a season were Ted Williams, Vern Stephens & Johnny Pesky (all in 1950). Hit a game-winning solo HR on 6/19 vs. SEA, breaking a 1-1 tie in the 7th inning of the Sox' 2-1 win. Hit a game-tying, 2-out, 2-run HR in the 9th inning on 6/24 at TEX, helping the Sox earn an 8-7 win (trailed 6-0). Hit .408 (20-for-49) during an 11-game hitting streak heading into the All-Star break (6/28-7/10)...Also hit in his first 2 games out of the break, marking a season-long 13-game hitting streak. Selected to start the 87th MLB All-Star Game (7/11 at SD) in RF via the fan ballot, his 1st selection to the midsummer classic...Went 1-for-2 with a run scored...Joined Xander Bogaerts as the 3rd pair of teammates--each age 23 or younger--to start the All-Star Game (source: Elias)...The others to do that were Ted Williams (LF) and Bobby Doerr (2B) of the 1941 Red Sox, and the Angels' Jim Fregosi (SS) and Dean Chance (P) in 1964. With 18 HR and 15 SB, joined Carl Yastrzemski (1970; 21 HR, 16 SB) as the only Red Sox ever with 15+ steals and 15+ HR at the All-Star break...Also joined Ted Williams (1946, '49, '50) as the only Red Sox to score 75+ runs before the break...The only other major leaguers with 75+ runs scored at the break before turning 24 are Mickey Mantle (1955), Bobby Bonds (1969), Reggie Jackson (1969), Rickey Henderson (1982), Albert Pujols (2003), and Jose Reyes (2006). Led off the 1st inning with a HR on 7/21 and 7/22 vs. MIN, his 2nd time accomplishing the feat in consecutive games...According to Elias, there have been only 4 instances of a Red Sox player hitting a leadoff homer in consecutive games, 2 of which have been recorded by Betts: Harry Hooper (5/30/1913 doubleheader at WSH), Mike Aviles (5/19-20/2012 at PHI), Betts (5/31-6/1/2016 at BAL), and Betts (7/21-22/2016 vs. MIN). Elias also notes that Betts is 1 of only 4 players in the modern era (since 1900) to hit leadoff homers in back-toback games multiple times in a single season...The others are Brady Anderson (1996 w/BAL), Craig Biggio (2001 w/ HOU), and Alfonso Soriano (2007 w/CHC). Named AL Player of the Month for July...In 23 games, led the AL in doubles (10), XBH (16), and total bases (62, 1st in MLB)...Also ranked 1st in SLG (.653) and OPS (1.068), 2nd in AVG (.368), and 3rd in OBP (.415) (min. 75 AB). Batted .378 with a 1.086 OPS in August (45-for-119, 8 2B, 9 HR)...During the month, led the AL in hits and RBI (tied, 27)...Hit .391 (18-for-46) with a 1.157 OPS during an 11-game hit streak from 7/30-8/10. Batted 3rd in the lineup on 8/10 vs. NYY, after hitting in the leadoff spot in each of his previous starts in 2016.Recorded 2+ HR and 5+ RBI for the 4th time of the season on 8/16 at BAL (W, 5-3). Went 5-for-5 with 5 singles on 8/26 vs. KC, his 1st career 5-hit game...According to Elias, became the 1st player in Red Sox history with 5+ singles in a game as the cleanup hitter. Went 0-for-4 with an RBI on 9/27 at NYY, snapping a 38-game on-base streak on the road...Had been MLB's longest active streak and was the longest by a Red Sox since Wade Boggs reached in 44 straight road games in 1987. POSTSEASON: Started each of the Red Sox' 3 ALDS games in RF...Reached base in all 3 games.
2015
Hit .291 (174-for-597) with 92 R, 42 2B, 8 3B, 18 HR, 77 RBI, 46 BB, and 21 SB in his 1st full major league season at age 22... Led the Red Sox in runs, doubles, and triples as the team's youngest primary leadoff hitter since Ellis Burks in 1987. Finished tied for 19th in AL MVP voting... Received the Jackie Jensen Hustle Award from the Boston Baseball Writers, presented each year to a Red Sox player for spirit and determination. Placed among AL leaders in 2B (third), 3B (tied for ninth), XBH (ninth, 68), multi-hit games (sixth, 52), 3+ hit games (tied for seventh, 15), SB (tied for 10th), AVG (14th), AVG with RISP (eighth, .333), AVG at home (ninth, .322), and AVG at night (eighth, .304)... Was worth 6.0 wins above replacement according to Baseball Reference, tied for sixth best among AL players. Was the hardest player to double up in the majors, grounding into just two double plays in 597 AB (298.5 AB/ GIDP)... Went 323 AB before his first GIDP, most by a Red Sox to begin a season since Otis Nixon in 1994 (398 AB). Was 1 of 12 AL players to hit more fly balls than ground balls (0.99 GB/FB)... Had the 14th-lowest strikeout rate in the AL (7.98 PA/SO)... Had the seventh-highest contact rate among AL qualifiers (85% of swings made contact). Was the first major leaguer with at least 42 2B, 8 3B, and 18 HR in an age-22 season or younger since SF's Jack Clark in 1978 (46 2B, 8 3B, 25 HR)... The last AL player to accomplish the feat (and the only other Red Sox player ever to do so at that young an age) was Ted Williams in both 1940 (43 2B, 14 3B, 23 HR) and 1939 (44 2B, 11 3B, 31 HR). No other AL player had ever reached his totals in 2B (42), HR (18), and SB (21) in a season at 22 years old or younger... The only NL player to do it that young was Cincinnati's Vada Pinson in 1959 (47 2B, 20 HR, 21 SB). His 68 XBH marked the most by a Red Sox in a season, all before turning 23, in 75 years... Ted Williams (80 XBH) and Bobby Doerr (69 XBH) both accomplished the feat in 1940. Joined Ellis Burks (20 HR, 27 SB in 1987) as the only Red Sox ever with as many as 15 HR and 20 SB in a season at age 22 or younger. Topped the majors with 69 RBI and 60 XBH from the leadoff spot in only 117 starts batting 1st, most by a Red Sox at age 22 or younger since at least 1914... His 106 leadoff starts as a center fielder were third most in a season since 1988 prior to turning 23 (Mike Trout, 110 in 2012; Andrew McCutchen, 108 in 2009). Played 133 games (130 starts) in center field... Also made 11 starts in RF, all during the team's last 17 games from Sept. 18 on. Led the Red Sox with 10 outfield assists, all from center field ...Marked the fourth-most assists in the majors from center field... Placed fourth among AL centerfielders with nine defensive runs saved, according to Fangraphs. Hit .315 (141-for-448) in his last 108 games beginning May 19, second in the AL behind BOS' Xander Bogaerts (.335). Placed on the 7-day concussion DL on July 29... In 48 games following Aug. 11 activation, hit .340 (71-for-209) with 17 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 29 RBI and a .941 OPS... Ranked second in the AL in that time in hits and total bases (tied, 116). Had the team's two longest hit streaks in 2015, a 13-gamer from June 11-26 and a team-high 18-gamer from Aug. 24-Sept. 13... Was the third Red Sox to hit in 18 straight games before turning 23 years old, along with Ted Williams in 1941 (23 games) and Bobby Doerr in 1939 (18). Had a career-high 36-game on-base streak from Aug. 24-Oct. 3 (.360/.416/.607, 54-for-150, 14 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 14 BB, HBP), longest in a season by a Red Sox since Dustin Pedroia reached in 37 straight games from June 15-July 28/11. Went 2-for-4, HR, BB as Boston's leadoff man and centerfielder on Opening Day, April 6 at Philadelphia... At 22, was the youngest Red Sox with an Opening Day home run since Tony Conigliaro (20 in 1965)... Was the club's youngest Opening Day leadoff hitter since Rico Petrocelli (21 in 1965) and youngest Opening Day centerfielder since Conigliaro (19 in 1964). In Boston's home opener on April 13 vs. Washington, became the first Red Sox leadoff hitter with at least 1 HR, 4 RBI, and 2 SB in a game since RBI became official in 1920... Made home run-saving catch to rob Bryce Harper in the top of the first inning, then hit a three-run home run in the second... Stole second base and third base on the same play in the bottom of the first inning with Washington in a shift for David Ortiz, marking only the 12th time since 1915 (including postseason) a player stole two or more bases on the same play (Source: Trent McCotter, SABR). Had his first career walk-off hit on April 27 vs. Toronto (ninth-inning single). On May 5 vs. Tampa Bay, accounted for both Red Sox runs in a 2-0 win with a pair of solo homers, his 1st career multi-home run game... Went deep in the sixth inning, the team's first hit of the game, and did it again in the eighth... Was the youngest Red Sox with a multi-home run game since Jim Rice in 1975 and the club's youngest leadoff hitter to do it since Bobby Doerr at 21 in 1939... According to Elias, became just the second leadoff hitter in MLB history to hit at least 2 HR and drive in all of his team's runs in a shutout, along with LA Dodgers' Carl Crawford on Apr. 28, 2013 vs. Milwaukee (two solo home run). Earned first career AL Player of the Week Award for June 15-21... Led MLB with a .581 AVG, 1.594 OPS, 18 hits, 19 times on base, and 31 total bases in those seven days. Hit the team's only leadoff homer of the year on June 20 at Kansas City off Edinson Volquez. Became the youngest Red Sox ever with a multi-HR game at NYY when he went deep twice on Sept. 30.
2014
Climbed from Double-A to Triple-A and made ML debut at 21 years old...Hit .291 (55-for-189), 12 2B, 3B, 5 HR in 52 games over 3 stints with BOS...Named to Baseball America's MLB All-Rookie Team and Minor League All-Star First Team...Among Red Sox with at least 200 PA, ranked 2nd in OBP (.368) and OPS (.812)...Reached base in 42 of 50 starts...His .368 OBP ranked 2nd among ML rookies with at least 200 PA (CWS' Jose Abreu, .383)...Joined Ted Williams(.436 in 1939, .442 in 1940) as the only Red Sox ever to post an OBP that high at age 21 or younger (min. 200 PA)...Played his first 38 ML games in the OF (28 games at CF, all starts; 12 games at RF, 8 starts)...His last 14 games beginning on 9/13 were all at 2B...Selected to BOS' major league roster on 6/28 and made big league debut the next night at NYY, singling off Chase Whitley in the 4th inning for his 1st hit...Hit 1st HR in his 4th ML game on 7/2 vs. CHC, a 5th-inning shot off Carlos Villanueva...Sent back to Pawtucket on 7/19 when Shane Victorino was activated from the DL...Recalled on 8/1 and played 3 games before being optioned again on 8/7 when Kelly Johnson was activated...Returned for his 3rd ML stint on 8/18 and started all 39 remaining Red Sox games...In that time, ranked among AL leaders in times on base (4th, 66), OBP (5th, .391), and runs (T-5th, 28)...Also led the team in extra-base hits (15), AVG (.304), SLG (.466), and OPS (.857) during that stretch...Hit 1st career grand slam on 8/29 at TB in the 2nd inning off Chris Archer...At 21 years and 327 days old, became the youngest Red Sox with a grand slam since Tony Conigliaro did it at 20 years old on 8/24/65 vs. WSH...Reached base safely in 24 of his last 27 games beginning 8/31...In that time, ranked 10th in the AL with a .324 AVG (35-for-108) and scored 23 runs, 1 shy of the ML lead (LAA's Mike Trout, 24)...Took over as Boston's leadoff hitter on 9/6 and batted .305 (25-for-82) with a .387 OBP in that role over the last 21 games of the season...Hit his 1st career leadoff homer on 9/21 at BAL off Miguel Gonzalez...At 21 years old, was the youngest Red Sox with a leadoff shot since 21-year-old Bobby Doerr on 8/1/39 vs. CLE's Bob Feller...In 151 total games between Double-A, Triple-A, and MLB, combined to hit .328 (193-for-588) with 42 2B, 6 3B, 16 HR, 83 RBI, 82 BB, 81 SO, 40 SB, a .411 OBP, .502 SLG, and .913 OPS...Named Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year for a 2nd straight season...Reached base via hit or walk in 92 of 99 minor league games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, leading the Red Sox farm system with a .346 AVG (138-for-399)...Struck out only 50 times compared to 61 walks, posting a .431 OBP...Named Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year by both the Boston Baseball Writers and Baseball America...Selected to the U.S. roster in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game...Was the 2B on Baseball America's Minor League All-Star First Team and All-Rookie Team...Also tabbed by BA as the Eastern League's best defensive 2B...Began the year in his Double-A debut and hit .355 (76-for-214) in 54 games for Portland...Chosen as Eastern League Player of the Month for April... In 22 April games, led the league in AVG (.430), hits (40), XBH (15), total bases (64), runs (30), OBP (.481), SLG (.688), and OPS (1.169)...Led off Sea Dogs' season with a homer on 4/3 at Reading...Earned EL Player of the Week honors for 4/3-12 (.457, 16-for-35, 11 R, 5 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI in 9 G)...Named Red Sox Minor League Hitter of the Month and Defensive Player of the Month for April...Batted .430 (40-for-93) with 10 2B, 3B, 4HR, 13 RBI, and 11 BB with no errors...His 40 hits, 10 2B, and 10 SB tied Portland franchise records for April. ..Was Boston's Minor League Base Stealer of the Month for June, when he was successful in all 12 SB attempts...Reached base safely in an EL-best 36 straight games to begin the season from 4/3-5/16...On 5/17, drove in 2 runs but snapped a 71-game on-base streak between 2013 (High-A Salem regular and postseason) and 2014 in Portland...Promoted on 6/3 to Triple-A Pawtucket and hit .335 (62-for-185) in 45 games for the PawSox.
2013
Named Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year and selected to Baseball America's Minor League All-Star 2nd Team after hitting .314 (145-for-462), 36 2B, 4 3B, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 81 BB in 127 games between Single-A Greenville and High-A Salem...Paced all Red Sox minor leaguers in total bases (234), 2B (tied, 36), SB (38), and SLG (.506, min. 250 AB)...Began the season with the Drive and earned a spot as the utility player on the South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star Team...Named both Red Sox Minor League Hitter and Base Runner of the Month for May (.356, 19 XBH, 23 R, 8 SB, 21 BB in 26 games)...Matched the longest hit streak of the season in the SAL with a 19-gamer from 5/5-25 (.419, 31-for-74, 8 2B, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 14 BB)...Named SAL Player of the Week for 5/6-13...Promoted to Salem on 7/9 and named the Red Sox Minor League Base Stealer of the Month for July after swiping 15 bases in 16 attempts over 20 games between the Drive and Salem...Twice selected as Carolina League Player of the Week: 8/5-12, 8/19-26...Named Red Sox Minor League Hitter of the Month for August/September, batting .404 (46-for-114)...Closed out the regular season with a 30-game on-base streak, the longest in the CL all year (.418, 46-for-110, .496 OBP)...Reached safely in 10 of 20 PA in postseason play for the CL Champion Salem Sox (.412, 7-for-17)...After the season, hit .271 (16-for-59) for the Arizona Fall League Champion Surprise Saguaros and was named to the West Division Fall Stars Team...Following the season, ranked as the 3rd-best 2B prospect in baseball by Baseball America, No. 75 overall, and the Red Sox' No. 7 prospect, as well as the best athlete in the system....Also named the 7th-best prospect in the CL by the same publication.
2012
Led all qualifying New York-Penn League 2B with a .969 fielding percentage (9 E/286 TC) at Short-A Lowell...Paced the Spinners and tied for 4th in the NYPL with 71 games...Also led Lowell with 31 RBI and ranked among club leaders in AB (2nd, 251), runs (3rd, 34), hits (2nd, 67), BB (2nd, 32), and steals (3rd, 20)...Batted .338 (27-for-80) against southpaws...Named Red Sox Minor League Base Stealer of the Month for August/September after swiping 9 bases without being caught
2011
Played 1 game for the Rookie-level GCL Red Sox in his pro debut (8/26 vs. GCL Twins).
