Wil Myers

Did You Know?

• Myers attended Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, North Carolina, where he was an all-state third baseman as a freshman and went 10–0 as a pitcher during his junior year.
• His high school team won a state championship in 2008.
• Myers was originally drafted as a catcher but later played primarily outfield.

Professional career

Myers was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, 91st overall, as a catcher. He signed for a $2 million bonus in August 2009, having previously committed to South Carolina. The next season he played for the Burlington Bees and was named a Midwest League All Star before a July promotion to the Wilmington Blue Rocks; overall he hit .315 with a .429 on-base percentage, 14 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 85 walks.

In 2011, with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, he batted .254 with eight home runs and 49 RBIs in 99 games. He shifted primarily to the outfield in 2012 and was selected for the All-Star Futures Game. On December 9, 2012, the Royals traded Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Patrick Leonard, and Mike Montgomery to the Tampa Bay Rays for James Shields, Wade Davis, and a player to be named later (Elliot Johnson). He began 2013 with the Triple-A Durham Bulls and was called up to the Rays on June 17.

Despite joining the club in its 70th game, Myers led AL rookies with 53 RBIs in 88 games and won the AL Rookie of the Year Award, beating teammate Chris Archer and Detroit's José Iglesias. He became the first hitter to win the award in under 100 games. In the postseason he had two singles in 20 at bats.

Personal life

Eric and Pamela Myers are his parents. He has a younger brother, Beau, who served as his pitcher during the 2016 Home Run Derby. On November 3, 2018, he married Maggie Reaves. While playing for the Padres, broadcaster Mark Grant gave him the nickname "El Gallo," meaning "The Rooster" in Spanish, inspired by his haircut. In November 2021, Myers and Carmel Country Club in Charlotte each filed lawsuits against the other, with the club alleging he owes $64,000 in initiation fees and Myers seeking over $150,000 in damages for what he claims is the club’s hidden difficulty in securing tee times.