HOUSTON – Houston Astros outfielder George Springer has been a fan favorite since he joined the team.
Springer was drafted in the first round of the 2011 Draft, making his MLB debut in April 2014.
Four seasons into his career, he is not only one of the best outfielders in the league, he is also one of the best hitters with 330 RBIs and 121 home runs to date. Last season Springer also made the 2017 All-Star Game where he hit a home run in the game. He then capped off an incredible season with being named the World Series MVP. This season Springer once again made the All-Star team.
Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Springer attended New Britain High School and made the Varsity team as a freshman despite his small 5 feet 2 inches, 100 pound stature. He then transferred to Avon Old Farms School where he repeated his junior year due to poor academics. Springer never gave up, graduating high school and signing a scholarship to play baseball at UConn. In 2009 he was named to the Baseball America Freshman All-America First Team. He also finished his freshman season receiving the honor of Big East Rookie of the Year.
After being selected as the 11th overall pick of the 2011 draft, the highest selection ever for a UConn product, Springer started his minor league career in New York for a short stint with the Tri-City Valley Cats. He then bounced around from The Lancaster Jet Hawks in California to Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City before being named the 2013 USA Today's Minor League Player of the Year Award.
Since joining the Astros, Springer's work on the diamond speaks for itself. This season alone he's compiled a .265 batting average, 22 home runs, 71 RBIs and 144 hits. But it's what Springer does off the field that truly makes him special.
Springer has dealt with having a stutter his entire life. He is now using his Major Leaguer status to spread awareness and give kids confidence who deal with the speech impediment. He has become a major spokesperson for SAY, The Stuttering Association for the Young.
Every year he holds a bowling charity event to raise money for the organization, but more importantly to talk directly to the kids. His focus is on confidence rather than trying to correct the stutter, he explains that there is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about if you stutter while you talk.
Springer advocated on a national level when he agreed to be mic'd up during the MLB All-Star Game and do a live interview on the topic.