Jedd Gyorko

Lore & Background

Gyorko was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, to Randall and Penny Gyorko. He attended University High School in Morgantown, where he played baseball, football, and basketball. He enrolled at West Virginia University and set numerous school records for the Mountaineers baseball program. He won the 2010 Brooks Wallace Award as the best shortstop in NCAA Division I. The Padres selected him in the second round of the 2010 MLB draft. He made the Padres' Opening Day roster as their starting second baseman in 2013. The Padres signed him to a five-year contract extension worth $35 million early in the 2014 season, but traded him to St. Louis after the 2015 season. The Cardinals traded him to the Dodgers in 2019, and he signed with the Brewers for the 2020 season.

In Their Own Story

The late-inning light at Marlins Park had that particular amber glow, the kind that makes the outfield wall look closer than it is. Gyorko was at second base, glove low, eyes tracking a slow roller that had been hit hard but not hard enough. He fielded it clean, pivoted, and fired to first before the runner even got his second step off the bag. The umpire's hand went up. Gyorko didn't celebrate—just tapped his glove twice and turned back toward the infield dirt, already thinking about the next at-bat. The dugout gave a quiet nod. That was the Marlins way: no fireworks, just the work, done right, under the Florida humidity that made every stitch on the glove feel heavier by the seventh inning.

Reader's Guide

Gyorko played second base and third base in MLB. He was known for his hitting ability. He was previously the manager of the West Virginia Black Bears of the MLB Draft League.

Did You Know?

• Gyorko was a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates as a child.
• He led his American Legion teams to state championships in 2004 and 2007.
• He had a 21-game hitting streak to start his college career at West Virginia.
• He was named the 10th best prospect in the Arizona Fall League after batting .437 there.