Jacob Berry

Amateur career

Berry attended Queen Creek High School in Queen Creek, Arizona, graduating in 2020. He then enrolled at the University of Arizona to play for the Arizona Wildcats. As a freshman in 2021, he appeared in 63 games, slashing .352/.439/.676 with 17 home runs, 70 RBIs, 19 doubles, and 54 runs scored, earning multiple All-American honors. He spent most of the season as a designated hitter but also played nine games at third base and was named to the Pac-12 All Conference Team.

That summer he played with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. In 2022, he started in right field and at third base for the Tigers, batting .370 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs over 53 games despite missing time with a broken finger. He was named an All-American and participated in the Draft Combine in San Diego.

Professional career

The Miami Marlins made Jacob Berry the sixth overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft, inking him to a $6 million deal. He started his pro career that July with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Marlins, moving up after just four games to the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads. Across 37 games with both clubs, he posted a .248 average with three homers and 26 RBIs. In 2023, Berry began with the High-A Beloit Sky Carp before a late-July promotion to the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

Over 107 games, he hit .233 with nine home runs and 59 RBIs, then played in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Javelinas. The next season, he started back in Pensacola and earned a late-August promotion to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. In 129 games, he batted .239 with 11 homers, 54 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. Berry’s 2025 season ended with a walk-off two-run homer in the ninth inning to win the Triple-A National Championship Game, earning him MVP honors.

Over 123 games that year, he hit .246 with eight homers, 54 RBIs, and 27 steals. He returned to Jacksonville for 2026, slashing .251/.372/.362 with four homers, 34 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 72 games. On August 5, 2026, the Royals acquired Berry from Miami for cash considerations.

Did You Know?

• Berry's father, Perry, was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1990 and played in the minor leagues for four years.
• Both of Berry's sisters play college softball: Jade at Stanford and Jenae at Arizona.
• Berry has one brother named Jet.