Wil Myers

The 2013 AL Rookie of the Year who led rookies in RBIs with fewer than 90 games played.

Wil Myers arrived in Tampa Bay on December 9, 2012, as the centerpiece of a trade sending James Shields and Wade Davis to the Kansas City Royals. Along with Jake Odorizzi, Patrick Leonard, and Mike Montgomery, he joined the Rays to begin his Major League career. After starting the 2013 season in Triple-A, Myers was called up on June 17. He immediately impacted the lineup, winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award by leading all American League rookies with 53 RBIs despite playing only 88 games. In 2014, he served as the everyday right fielder until a collision with Desmond Jennings on May 30 caused a stress fracture in his right wrist. He returned on August 20 to finish the season batting .222/.294/.320.

Quick Facts

Position: Outfielder; First baseman
Born: 10 December 1990
Birthplace: Thomasville, North Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Right
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: June 18
Debut year: 2013
Debut team: Tampa Bay Rays

Lore & Background

Myers' tenure in Tampa Bay was defined by immediate impact and a historic rookie campaign. Upon his June 17, 2013 debut, he faced high expectations but delivered by leading all AL rookies in RBIs (53) while playing just 88 games. He beat out teammate Chris Archer and Detroit's José Iglesias for the Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first-ever hitter to win the honor with fewer than 100 games played. The last player to lead AL rookies in RBIs in under 90 games was Hoot Evers in 1946.

In the postseason that year, Myers recorded two singles in 20 at-bats. His time as an everyday right fielder began in 2014, highlighted by his first career inside-the-park home run on May 4. However, a collision with teammate Desmond Jennings on May 30 against the Boston Red Sox resulted in a stress fracture requiring significant rehab. He returned on August 20, initially serving as a designated hitter before rejoining the field.

Reader's Guide

Prospects drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2009 were traded to Tampa Bay on December 9, 2012. Wil Myers, originally a catcher who transitioned to the outfield, started the 2013 season with the Durham Bulls before his June 17 promotion. Fans should note that despite playing only 88 games in 2013, he won the AL Rookie of the Year Award and led all rookies in RBIs (53). In 2014, Myers played right field until a May 30 collision with Desmond Jennings caused a wrist fracture. He returned on August 20 to finish the season batting .222. His Rays career concluded after the 2014 season when he was traded to the San Diego Padres on December 19, 2014, as part of a three-team transaction.