Major Leaguer resume Vol.99/ WBC Player’s resume Vol.85: Xander Bogaerts(San Diego Padres) : Major Candidate for Team Netherlands: “5-time Silver Slugger!!”

■Today’s player
Today's player is the San Diego Padres infielder Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts moved to the Padres in the 2022 off-season from the Boston Red Sox, with which he played for ten seasons. He is from Aruba and will play for Team Netherlands in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

■The KAISPO's baseball analyst comments
"Bogaerts is one of the best sluggers in the majors, with excellent contact skills. He has hit double-digit home runs eight times and recorded a batting average of .300 or higher four times in 10 MLB seasons. In particular, his 162-game average over five years since 2018 is outstanding: .301 BA, 27 homers, 101 RBIs, .373 OBP, and .508 SLG. So, his most remarkable feature is that he can consistently show high performance over a long period without fluctuating performance. Bogaerts signed a major 11-year contract with the Padres in the 2022 off-season. He will be a substantial long-term asset for San Diego, aiming at the World Champion."

■Story
Xander Bogaerts signed with the Red Sox in 2009. Bogaerts made his big league debut against the San Francisco Giants on August 20, 2013, when he went 0 for 3. Five days later, he had his first career hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers. On September 7, Bogaerts produced his first home run versus the New York Yankees. He recorded .250 with a homer and five RBIs in 18 games in his first campaign. He also experienced the World Series title, hitting a triple in Game 3 of the Series to become the third youngest player with a triple in Fall Classic history.

In 2015, the right-handed slugger had a breakout season. His slash line was .320/.355/.421, with seven long balls and 81 RBIs. He ranked second in batting average in the American League(AL). Xander seemed to put priority on the average more than home runs.

Since then, the 30-year-old has grown up as one of the notable hitters and shortstops. In 2018, he sent his team to the World Series Championship with 13 hits and seven RBIs in 14 games in the postseason. Xander has won the AL Silver Slugger five times and has been named the AL All-Star four times.

■MLB Career Stats
At the end of the 2022 season, the 4-time All-Star has marked .292/.356/.458 with 156 home runs, 683 RBIs, and 74 stolen bases over 1264 appearances in his MLB career.
(MLB No.406 KAISPO No.1586)