Cavan Biggio

Cavan Biggio
Biggio with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020
Kansas City Royals
Utility player
Born: (1995-04-11) April 11, 1995 (age 29)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 24, 2019, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.225
Home runs51
Runs batted in186
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
18U Baseball World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2012 Seoul Team

Cavan Thomas Biggio (/ˈkævɪn/ KAV-in; born April 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball utility player in the Kansas City Royals organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves. He made his MLB debut in 2019. Biggio is the son of former MLB player and Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.

Early life

Biggio is the son of Patricia and Craig Biggio, a former MLB second baseman and inductee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.[1] His given name comes from County Cavan in Ireland.[2] He has a brother, Conor, and a sister, Quinn.[3]

Amateur career

Biggio with Notre Dame in 2016

Biggio attended St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas.[4] He lettered four times in both baseball and football.

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Biggio in the 29th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and chose to attend the University of Notre Dame.[3] In three seasons of college baseball playing second base exclusively, with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Biggio batted .272 with 15 home runs, 70 runs batted in (RBIs), and 33 stolen bases.[5] In 2014 (batting .203) and 2015 (batting .263), he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star in 2015.[6][7][8][9]

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Biggio in the fifth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft[10][11] and he signed for the draft slot bonus of $300,000 on June 17,[12][13][14] and was assigned to the Vancouver Canadians of the Low–A Northwest League. On July 26, Biggio was named an All-Star for Vancouver.[15] He finished the 2016 season with the Lansing Lugnuts of the Single–A Midwest League. In 62 games, Biggio batted .273 with 26 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He also exhibited above-average plate discipline, walking 33 times while striking out 35 times.[16]

Biggio played the entire 2017 season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the High–A Florida State League, batting .233 with 11 home runs, 60 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.[16][17] The Blue Jays assigned him to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double-A Eastern League for the 2018 season.[18] There, Biggio was named the Eastern League's Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player[19] while hitting .252 with 26 homers and 99 RBI.[16] He began the 2019 season with the Buffalo Bisons of the Triple-A International League.[20] Through his first 42 games with the Bisons, he hit .307 with six home runs.[21]

On May 24, 2019, Biggio was called up to the Toronto Blue Jays.[22] He made his major league debut that night versus the San Diego Padres, striking out twice and grounding out in his three at-bats.[23] Two days later, on May 26, he got his first major league hit off Robbie Erlin of the Padres.[24] In his next at bat that game, he hit his first home run off Matt Wisler.[25] On September 17, Biggio hit for the cycle against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards,[26] becoming the third player in Blue Jays history to accomplish the feat, following Jeff Frye in 2001 and Kelly Gruber in 1989. Biggio had four RBI, scored three runs, and stole two bases in the game.[27] Cavan, alongside his father, Craig (who hit for the cycle for the Houston Astros on April 8, 2002), joined Gary Ward and his son Daryle as only the second father and son duo to hit for the cycle in MLB history.[28] On the season, Biggio hit .235/.364/.429 with 16 home runs, 48 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 100 games.[29]

Overall, during the COVID-19 pandemic shortened 2020 season, Biggio batted .250/.375/.432 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 59 games.[30] In 2021 with the Blue Jays, he batted .224/.322/.356 with seven home runs and 27 RBI in 79 games.[29] In Triple–A, Biggio batted .182 with three home runs and 11 RBI across 22 games.[16] On March 22, 2022, he signed a $2.123 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration.[31] He played in 97 games for the Blue Jays and slashed .202/.318/.350 with six home runs and 24 RBI.[29]

On January 13, 2023, Biggio signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Blue Jays, again avoiding salary arbitration.[32] In 111 games for Toronto, he slashed .235/.340/.370 with nine home runs and 40 RBI.[33]

Biggio played in 44 games for Toronto in 2024, hitting .200/.323/.291 with two home runs, nine RBI, and two stolen bases.[29] On June 7, 2024, he was designated for assignment.[34]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On June 12, 2024, the Blue Jays traded Biggio and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for minor league pitcher Braydon Fisher.[35] He played in 30 games for the Dodgers, batting .192 with three home runs and 10 RBI.[29] Biggio was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on August 5[36] and was released on August 8.

San Francisco Giants

On August 23, 2024, Biggio signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[37] He played in 12 games for the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, slashing .163/.413/.326 with two home runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases.[16]

Atlanta Braves

On September 7, 2024, Biggio was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.[38] He played in one game for the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers before he was added to the major league roster on September 11.[39] In 4 games for Atlanta, Biggio went 1–for–5 (.200). On November 1, Biggio was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Gwinnett, but rejected the assignment in favor of free agency.[40]

Kansas City Royals

On January 5, 2025, Biggio signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[41]

Personal life

Cavan's brother Conor also played baseball for St. Thomas and Notre Dame,[42] and was a 34th round draft selection by the Houston Astros in the 2015 MLB draft. Conor later went to work for the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.[43] As of the 2020–21 collegiate season, his sister Quinn played softball for Notre Dame.[44]

Upon reaching the major leagues, Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had been called up a month earlier, became the first teammates in MLB history to be sons of Hall of Fame players.[45]

See also

References

  1. ^ Brennan, Daniel (June 11, 2016). "Biggio's son among familiar names called on Day 2 of MLB draft". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Kepner, Tyler (April 25, 2018). "Sons try to eclipse dads". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. p. C5. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Cavan Biggio Bio". und.com. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  4. ^ Atkins, Hunter (March 15, 2017). "In the on-deck circle of life, Craig Biggio's son now a budding pro". HoustonChronicle.com.
  5. ^ "Cavan Biggio Baseball Statistics". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  6. ^ Matt Rice (July 8, 2015). "Harwich's Biggio thriving in second go-around". capecodtimes.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  7. ^ "#12 Cavan Biggio". pointstreak.com. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "#7 Cavan Biggio". pointstreak.com. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Cape League All-Star, Home Run selections released". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  10. ^ Reiss, Aaron (June 10, 2016). "Cavan Biggio drafted in fifth round by Blue Jays". chron.com. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  11. ^ "Blue Jays draft Cavan Biggio, son of Craig". MLB.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  12. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays 2016 Draft Results". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  13. ^ McTaggart, Brian (June 11, 2016). "Biggio goes to Blue Jays, with a surprise twist". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  14. ^ "Jim Callis on Twitter". Twitter. June 11, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  15. ^ Fai, Rob (July 26, 2016). "Three C's headed to All-Star Game in Utah". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Cavan Biggio Register Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  17. ^ Griffin, Richard (September 7, 2017). "Blue Jays' sons of big leaguers on fast track to stardom: Griffin". thestar.com. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  18. ^ "Amidst generational talents, Cavan Biggio perhaps biggest surprise". Minor League Ball. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  19. ^ "Biggio Voted MVP, Schneider Manager of the Year". MiLB.com. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  20. ^ Wolf, Jason (April 4, 2019). "Bisons' Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette bring more than talent, famous surnames". buffalonews.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Randhawa, Manny (May 23, 2019). "Blue Jays to call up Cavan Biggio (sources)". MLB.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  22. ^ Strong, Gregory (May 24, 2019). "Jays' Cavan Biggio, Canadian Padre Josh Naylor, make MLB debuts in Toronto". cbc.ca. The Canadian Press. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  23. ^ "San Diego Padres vs Toronto Blue Jays Box Score: May 24, 2019". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  24. ^ "San Diego Padres vs Toronto Blue Jays Box Score: May 26, 2019". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  25. ^ Brudnicki, Alexis (May 26, 2019). "Biggio collects first big league hit -- then homers". MLB.com. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  26. ^ "Cavan Biggio hits for cycle in Baltimore". MLB.com. September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  27. ^ "Blue Jays vs. Orioles - Box Score". ESPN. September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  28. ^ "Biggio hits for cycle against Orioles". TSN.ca. September 17, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  29. ^ a b c d e "Cavan Biggio Statistics & History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  30. ^ "Cavan Biggio Stats, Fantasy & News | Toronto Blue Jays". MLB.com.
  31. ^ "Arbitration Tracker For 2022". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  32. ^ "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  33. ^ "Cavan Biggio - Game Logs - Batting - 2023". fangraphs.com. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  34. ^ "Blue Jays Designate Cavan Biggio For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  35. ^ Matheson, Keegan (June 12, 2024). "Dodgers add Cavan Biggio in trade with Blue Jays". mlb.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  36. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (August 5, 2024). "Back with Dodgers, emotional Freddie Freeman details son's health scare". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  37. ^ "Giants Sign Cavan Biggio To Minor League Contract". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  38. ^ "Braves' Whit Merrifield fractures foot, could return after week". ESPN.com. September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  39. ^ "Braves Place Reynaldo Lopez On Injured List, Select Cavan Biggio". baseballessential.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  40. ^ "Cavan Biggio Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. November 1, 2024.
  41. ^ "Cavan Biggio, Royals agree to minor league contract". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 5, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  42. ^ Kepner, Tyler (April 20, 2018). "Now Batting in Class AA: Biggio, Bichette and Guerrero". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  43. ^ Townsend, Mark (June 10, 2016). "Craig Biggio's sons shared an unexpected draft moment". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  44. ^ "Quinn Biggio". Notre Dame Fighting Irish Athletics. August 17, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  45. ^ Fowler, Will (May 23, 2019). "Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio Set to Make MLB History Friday". 12up.com.
Achievements
Preceded by Hitting for the cycle
September 17, 2019 		Succeeded by