Steven Souza Jr.

Lore & Background

Souza attended Cascade High School in Everett, Washington, and committed to Washington State University on a baseball scholarship. He was selected by the Washington Nationals in the third round of the 2007 MLB draft and signed for a $346,000 signing bonus. He played in the Nationals' minor league system, receiving a 50-game suspension for a banned substance in 2010. He made his MLB debut on April 13, 2014, and later that year made a leaping catch to secure Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2014, where he had a breakout 2017 season with 30 home runs and was named the Rays' MVP. He was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in February 2018. After injuries, he played for the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Seattle Mariners before retiring on July 19, 2022. He was hired as hitting coach for the San Diego Padres on November 24, 2025.

In Their Own Story

The June evening air over Marlins Park hung thick and warm, the kind of humidity that made the leather glove feel like it was breathing. Souza stood in left field, hands on his hips, watching a young infielder field a grounder two rows back. The crowd was sparse — a Tuesday, a split decision, the kind of night where the stands hold maybe eight thousand and the wind off Biscayne Bay tugs at the cap on his head.

Then the at-bat came. He loaded the bat, that familiar high arc, and the crack was different from the other hits that night. Not a line drive. Not a ground ball. A full, looping, almost lazy swing that connected with the heart of the ball and sent it sailing up and over the left-field seats, the orange glow of the stadium lights catching the ball at its apex. He didn't run until it was gone. Just stood there, glove still extended, watching it disappear into the dark beyond the fence.

The dugout erupted. The young kids were on their feet, slapping the railing. Souza just nodded, tucked the bat under his arm, and walked back to first base, the humidity soaking through his jersey. A small moment. A Tuesday. But the swing was still his, and for one fly ball, the 2012 All-Star was back.

Reader's Guide

Souza played MLB right field for the Nationals, Rays, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Dodgers, and Mariners. He never played for the Miami Marlins. He was not an MLB All-Star. His career high in home runs was 30, in 2017. The source does not describe his swing or mention him playing first base.

Did You Know?

• Souza was named International League MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2014.
• He was suspended 50 games in 2010 for use of a banned substance.
• Souza briefly quit baseball in 2011 after a confrontation with his manager and a personal betrayal.
• He was ejected for the first time in his MLB career on May 12, 2018.
• Souza tore multiple ligaments in his left knee during spring training in 2019, ending his season.