Undrafted in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, Vavra enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he played college baseball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In 2016, Vavra's freshman year at Minnesota, he appeared in 32 games (missing time due to a back injury), batting .358 with one home run and twenty RBIs.[4][5] As a sophomore in 2017, he played in fifty games, hitting .308 with two home runs and 19 RBIs. That summer, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Cotuit Kettleers.[6][7][8] In 2018, his junior season, Vavra was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection alongside earning First Team All American honors; for the year, he started 58 games in which he slashed .386/.455/.614 with ten home runs and 59 RBIs.[9][10][11]
On November 19, 2021, the Orioles selected Vavra's contract and added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[28] He began the 2022 season with the Norfolk Tides of the Triple-AInternational League.[29] After 13 games, he was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain.[30] He returned to play in early June.[31]
On July 26, 2022, the Orioles promoted Vavra to the major leagues for the first time.[32] He made his MLB debut on July 29.[33] On August 1, Vavra recorded his first career hit, an infield single off of Texas Rangers starter Jon Gray.[34] On October 5, the final day of the season, Vavra hit a three–run home run off of Mitch White for his first career home run. The blast propelled the Orioles to a 5–4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.[35]
In 2023, Vavra played in 27 games for the Orioles, batting .245/.315/.245 with five RBI. While playing for Triple–A Norfolk, he suffered a right shoulder strain and was placed on the injured list on June 17, 2023.[36] He was pulled off of his rehab assignment on September 7 to undergo further testing on his shoulder,[37] and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 14.[38] On November 14, Vavra was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.[39]
Vavra began the 2024 campaign with Norfolk, hitting .269 with two home runs and 19 RBI across 31 games. On July 30, 2024, the Orioles selected Vavra's contract, adding him to their active roster.[40] He was designated for assignment without appearing in the majors for Baltimore on August 21.[41]
Seattle Mariners
On August 23, 2024, Vavra was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.[42] In 3 games for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, he went 2–for–11 (.182) with 2 RBI. Vavra was designated for assignment by Seattle on August 31.[43] He cleared waivers and elected free agency on September 5.[44]
Baltimore Orioles (second stint)
On September 7, 2024, Vavra signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.[45] He became a free agent after the season.[46]
Personal life
Vavra's father, Joe Vavra, is a professional baseball coach.[47] Vavra and his wife, Carlie, had their first child, a daughter, in August 2022.[48][49]
