1. Overview
Eric John Hosmer (born October 24, 1989) is an American former professional first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs during his career. A highly regarded prospect from American Heritage High School, Hosmer was selected by the Kansas City Royals as the third overall pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, receiving a then-record 6.00 M USD signing bonus for the franchise. He made his MLB debut in 2011, finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Hosmer was a key player for the Kansas City Royals during their successful period in the mid-2010s. He won four Gold Glove Awards (2013-2015, 2017) for his exceptional defense at first base and a Silver Slugger Award in 2017. He was named the MVP of the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and was an integral part of the 2015 World Series champion Royals. After the 2017 season, he signed a significant eight-year contract with the San Diego Padres. His career also included stints with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs before he announced his retirement in February 2024 to pursue ventures in media.
2. Early Life
Eric Hosmer's early life was deeply influenced by his family and their dedication to his baseball development. Born in Miami, Florida, he was the second son of Mike and Ileana Hosmer.
2.1. Childhood and Family Background
Eric Hosmer was born on October 24, 1989, in Miami. His father, Mike, is a retired firefighter, and his mother, Ileana, is a nurse. Ileana was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States at the age of seven with her family to escape Fidel Castro's regime, growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents met in 1979 when Mike was assigned to duty at Coral Gables Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida, where Ileana worked. They married four years later. Their first son, Mike Jr., was born in 1985, with Eric following four years later.
Growing up in Cooper City, Florida, Hosmer often credited his family for helping him achieve success as a baseball player. He began playing baseball at a very early age, using a Tony Gwynn teeball hitter for practice swings. His father often volunteered to work 48-hour shifts at a firehouse in Liberty City to dedicate more time to coaching his son's baseball games. The Hosmer family traveled extensively across the state, and even as far as Cooperstown, New York, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, to participate in various baseball tournaments. At home, Hosmer diligently watched Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins) games, studying the hitting techniques of the team's players to refine his own skills. His father assisted him with batting practice after long shifts at work, while his mother supported him with homework and meticulously recorded every baseball game to evaluate his abilities and further hone his skills. By the time Hosmer reached high school, he engaged in intensive workouts, "close to seven hours a day," and maintained a diet primarily consisting of protein, which contributed to his muscular build. To further enhance his skills, Hosmer's family hired Bladimir Marrero, a highly regarded hitting instructor. His older brother, Mike Jr., also played baseball and received a scholarship to Florida State University, but ultimately chose not to pursue a professional baseball career, instead becoming a stockbroker in Miami. Hosmer grew up as a fan of the New York Yankees.
2.2. Pre-High School Baseball
Before his high school career, Hosmer was already a prominent figure in youth baseball. As a teenager, he was part of several Little League baseball teams that secured multiple state championships. This early exposure to competitive play and success laid the groundwork for his future professional aspirations.
3. High School Career
Hosmer's high school career at American Heritage School was marked by significant development and numerous accolades, solidifying his status as a top baseball prospect.
3.1. Development and Achievements
Hosmer attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida. His parents deliberately chose American Heritage due to its renowned baseball program, which was considered one of the finest in the United States, despite its high tuition costs. During his sophomore year, Hosmer experienced a notable growth spurt, increasing his height by eight inches, which further transformed him into a powerful prep prospect. In his senior year, he achieved an impressive .470 with 11 home runs. His team consistently ranked in the top 10 of USA Today's Super 25 rankings for the majority of the year and ultimately won a state championship. His performance attracted intense scrutiny from baseball scouts, with twenty or more MLB and college scouts regularly evaluating his every move. Several of his amateur home runs gained popularity on YouTube, drawing the attention of prominent sports agent Scott Boras. He was described by scouts as a "left-handed hitter with raw power." Hosmer received numerous awards during his high school tenure, including being named Florida's Baseball Player of the Year twice by the Miami Herald, a member of the Rawlings High School Gold Glove team, and the American Amateur Baseball Congress Connie Mack MVP award. He was offered a baseball scholarship to Arizona State University and planned to attend if negotiations with an MLB team did not materialize.
3.2. 2008 MLB Draft and Signing
By the time of his graduation in 2008, Hosmer was widely recognized as one of the top five prep baseball players in the country by several scouting agencies. He was ranked second by Rivals.com and third by both RISE Magazine and Sports Illustrated. Scouts described him as "one of high school baseball's top power hitters" and a consensus top 10 pick. Consequently, Hosmer was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round as the third overall selection of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.
Hosmer remained unsigned for most of the summer as Royals general manager Dayton Moore and Scott Boras, acting as Hosmer's agent, engaged in negotiations for a deal. During these negotiations, Hosmer helped lead his Cincinnati-based team to a second-place finish at the American Amateur Baseball Congress Connie Mack World Series. The two sides finally reached a contract agreement just ten minutes before the signing deadline for drafted players on August 15, 2008. Hosmer received a 6.00 M USD signing bonus, which was the largest ever given to a draft pick in Royals history at that time.
4. Professional Career
Eric Hosmer's professional baseball career began in the minor leagues, where he honed his skills before making a significant impact in Major League Baseball.
4.1. Minor League Baseball
Immediately after signing his contract, the Kansas City Royals assigned Hosmer to Minor League Baseball with the Idaho Falls Chukars of the rookie level Pioneer League. Before he reported to the Chukars, Royals general manager Dayton Moore stated to reporters that Hosmer would not be "rushed" to reach the Majors, emphasizing that he needed to advance through the minor league hierarchy at his "own natural pace." Hosmer played a few games with the Chukars before a contract dispute involving another Scott Boras client, Pedro Álvarez, the Pittsburgh Pirates' second overall pick, temporarily prevented Hosmer from playing with the team. Boras claimed that Álvarez signed his contract after the August 15 deadline had passed. The Major League Baseball Players Association then filed a grievance, asserting that Hosmer's contract was also signed past the deadline and that Major League Baseball had extended the August 15 deadline without the association's permission. Both parties settled the claim a month later, allowing Hosmer and Álvarez to join their respective teams. Hosmer himself never disputed his original contract. Instead of returning to the Chukars, Hosmer was sent to the Arizona Fall League for training.
In Hosmer's first full season in the minor leagues in 2009, he was assigned to the Burlington Bees in the Class A Midwest League. At Burlington, Hosmer struggled at the plate, hitting only one home run in 31 games by June 1 and leading the team in strikeouts. He also missed some time due to a left pinkie finger injury. By the end of the season, Hosmer had a .241 with six home run, later referring to the 2009 season as "a tough year."
In 2010, Hosmer was ranked as the seventh best first base prospect by Scout.com. He began the season with the Royals' Class A-Advanced affiliate, the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Carolina League, where his struggles initially continued. He was soon diagnosed with astigmatism, an eye condition, and underwent laser surgery to correct the problem. Hosmer returned to the Blue Rocks a week later, and with his eye issue resolved, his hitting immediately improved. By May 23, he was hitting .388 with a .571 slugging percentage. He participated in the 2010 All-Star Futures Game, where he recorded four hits and two RBIs in a 9-1 victory. For his strong performance, Hosmer was promoted to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League on July 17, famously hitting a home run in his first at-bat. During the playoffs, Hosmer hit six home run, the second highest total by a player in a single Texas League playoff series, as the team went on to win the Texas League championship.
Entering the 2011 season, the Royals' farm system was ranked number one in baseball, spearheaded by Hosmer and fellow top prospect, third baseman Mike Moustakas. Most baseball critics widely agreed that the Royals, a team known for mediocrity over the past two decades, would become contenders within a few years; they boasted nine prospects in Baseball America's top 100, a record for the publication. Hosmer was ranked as the best prospect among first basemen in Major League Baseball prior to the 2011 season. He was also rated the eighth best overall prospect by Baseball America and the top Royals prospect overall. With the Royals garnering significant attention for their promising future, General Manager Dayton Moore traded their best player, Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for four top prospects, further emphasizing the team's commitment to its long-term future. Hosmer began the 2011 season with the Royals' Class AAA affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). When the Royals purchased Hosmer's contract on May 5, 2011, he was leading the minor leagues with a .439 batting average and the PCL with 43 hits and a .525 on-base percentage.
4.2. Kansas City Royals
Eric Hosmer's time with the Kansas City Royals marked the most celebrated and impactful period of his professional career, culminating in a World Series championship.
4.2.1. 2011 Season: MLB Debut and Rookie Success
The Kansas City Royals recalled Eric Hosmer on May 5, 2011, marking his highly anticipated arrival in the Major Leagues. To make space for Hosmer on the 40-man roster, veteran catcher Jason Kendall was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Hosmer made his MLB debut at first base the following day against Oakland Athletics starter Gio González, replacing Kila Ka'aihue. Prior to his debut, journalists widely touted Hosmer as a "super-prospect" and the "most-hyped" rookie to debut for the Royals since Bo Jackson. The Royals' decision to promote Hosmer before a mid-June deadline allowed the team to avoid salary arbitration for an extra year. In his debut, Hosmer went hitless in two at-bats, striking out twice, but also drew two walks and stole a base in a 3-2 loss, as the Royals played in front of the season's second-largest crowd. Reflecting on Hosmer's MLB debut, Kansas City manager Ned Yost expressed strong confidence, stating, "There's no question in my mind he won't end up being a special player because he's got all the attributes to being a special player."
On May 11, at Yankee Stadium, Hosmer started as the cleanup hitter for the Royals and hit his first MLB home run off Yankees pitcher A. J. Burnett. In his first month with the Royals, he hit .283 with five home run and was recognized as the Royals Player of the Month. His batting average slightly declined by the end of June, with manager Ned Yost attributing it to "impatience at the plate." On July 16, he hit a game-winning two-run home run against closer Matt Capps of the Minnesota Twins, a decisive hit that led the Twins to replace Capps with Joe Nathan as their closer the next day. For his outstanding performance in July, Hosmer was named the American League (AL) Rookie of the Month. On September 20, he had an impressive five hits, including a three-run home run off Brad Penny in a 10-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers. The following day, sportswriter Ian Casselberry of MLive.com affectionately called Hosmer a "Tiger killer" due to his strong statistics against the Tigers, which included a .346 batting average with four home run that season. He led all rookies in most major batting categories for September, earning him a second Rookie of the Month award.
Hosmer finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, behind Mark Trumbo of the Los Angeles Angels and winner Jeremy Hellickson of the Tampa Bay Rays. He concluded his rookie season with a .293 batting average, 19 home run, and 78 RBIs in 128 games. Manager Ned Yost praised Hosmer and another rookie, catcher Salvador Pérez, calling them "future perennial All-Star players."
4.2.2. 2012-2013 Seasons: Early MLB Development and First Gold Glove
On February 18, 2012, the Royals announced that they had signed Hosmer to a one-year contract for the 2012 season, though financial terms were not disclosed. During spring training, Hosmer led all players with 29 RBIs and maintained an impressive slugging percentage of .714. Reflecting on Hosmer's spring training performance, Royals Hall of Famer George Brett remarked, "He's a baseball player... He acts like a baseball player. And boy, he's going to be a damn good one, too." By opening day, the Kansas City media was enthusiastically promoting Hosmer as the "face of the franchise" and the city's "next future sports star." He started at first base on opening day against the Los Angeles Angels, going 0-for-4. He hit a home run in a 6-3 victory the following day, but subsequently experienced a slump, hitting below .200 for the first couple of weeks of the season as the Royals endured an 11-game losing streak leading into April 24. He ended the 2012 season with a .232/.304/.359 slash line, along with 14 home run and 60 RBIs.
In 2013, Hosmer's exceptional defense earned him his first Gold Glove Award. He concluded the year with a .302 batting average, 17 home run, and 79 RBI.
4.2.3. 2014 Season: Postseason Heroics
On July 20, 2014, in a game against the Boston Red Sox, Hosmer was hit in the hand by a pitch from Jon Lester. Initially, he was considered day-to-day with a bruised hand. However, on July 31, in a game against the Minnesota Twins, he aggravated the injury on a checked swing in the fourth inning. X-rays confirmed a displaced fracture of the third finger on his right hand. Hosmer consequently missed four weeks due to the injury, finishing the season batting .270 with nine home run and 58 RBIs.
In the 2014 postseason, Hosmer played a crucial role in leading the Royals to a record-setting run, which included winning three consecutive extra-inning games. After reaching base five times in the wildcard game against the Oakland Athletics, Hosmer also delivered a game-winning, two-run home run in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In doing so, he became the first player in MLB history to hit both a triple and a home run during extra innings in a single postseason.
In the early morning hours of October 6, after the Royals had completed their sweep of the Angels, Hosmer posted on Twitter, extending an invitation to Kansas City fans to celebrate with him at a downtown bar, the Power and Light District. Reportedly, "hordes showed up, and many of the fans ended up with free drinks as Hosmer...decided to help pay for an open bar for an hour. With several teammates, he also sprayed some champagne into the crowd." This spontaneous gesture further endeared him to the Kansas City fan base.
The Royals swept the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 American League Championship Series, with Hosmer contributing significantly by batting .400 for the series. In the 2014 World Series, Hosmer batted .250, as the Royals ultimately lost to the San Francisco Giants in seven games.
4.2.4. 2015 Season: World Series Champion
On February 18, 2015, Hosmer and the Royals agreed to a 13.90 M USD, two-year contract. Under the terms, he would earn 5.65 M USD during the 2015 season and 8.25 M USD during the 2016 season, and would again be eligible for arbitration in 2017. The 2015 season proved to be Hosmer's most productive year to that point, as he finished with a .297 batting average, 18 home run, and 93 RBIs. Hosmer also recorded the final putout in both the AL Central and the American League Championship Series clinching games, marking pivotal defensive contributions. On October 23, Hosmer tied George Brett for the most RBIs in Royals' postseason history (23) when he singled Lorenzo Cain home from first base, representing the go-ahead run in Game 6 of the ALCS.
In Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, Hosmer surpassed Brett's record for most postseason RBIs with a walk-off sacrifice fly that brought in Alcides Escobar in the 14th inning, which was Hosmer's 25th postseason RBI and helped to atone for an eighth-inning error that had given the New York Mets a one-run lead. Hosmer again starred in Game 2 with two hits, a run scored, and two RBIs, helping the Royals secure a 7-1 victory and a 2-0 series lead. On November 1, in Game 5 of the World Series, Hosmer took advantage of a scouting report on the Mets' Lucas Duda. On a groundout to first, Hosmer broke from third base to the plate and beat a throw that was offline, scoring the tying run in the ninth inning. This crucial play eventually led to the Royals' win, clinching the Series championship. Hosmer earned his third consecutive Gold Glove Award for his defensive performance in the 2015 season.
4.2.5. 2016-2017 Seasons: All-Star MVP and Free Agency
Hosmer was named the MLB All-Star Game MVP, an honor he received at the game played in San Diego on July 12, 2016. In the second inning of the All-Star Game, he hit a game-tying home run off of former teammate Johnny Cueto. In 158 games during the 2016 season, Hosmer finished with a .266 batting average, a career-high 25 home run, and 104 RBI.
In 2017, Hosmer played in all 162 regular season games, achieving a career-high .318 batting average while also tying his personal best with 25 home run. He added 94 RBI along with a career-best .385 on-base percentage. He won his fourth career Gold Glove Award for his exceptional defensive play. Following the 2017 season, Hosmer became a free agent for the first time in his career, attracting significant interest from multiple teams.
4.3. San Diego Padres
On February 19, 2018, Eric Hosmer signed an eight-year, 144.00 M USD contract with the San Diego Padres. At the time, this was the largest contract in Padres franchise history. Hosmer changed his jersey number to 30 in honor of his former Royals teammate Yordano Ventura, who had tragically died a year earlier. Hosmer's previous number 35 was already retired by the Padres in honor of Randy Jones.
In his first season as a Padre in 2018, Hosmer hit .253 with 18 home run and 69 RBIs. In 2019, Hosmer posted a .265/.310/.425 slash line with 22 home run and 99 RBI, primarily serving as the team's cleanup hitter. However, he also led all National League first basemen in errors, with 14.
On August 20, 2020, Hosmer made history by hitting a grand slam against the Texas Rangers. This feat made the Padres the first team in MLB history to hit a grand slam in four consecutive games, following previous grand slams by Fernando Tatís Jr., Wil Myers, and Manny Machado. Hosmer finished the shortened 2020 season with a .287/.333/.517 slash line, nine home run, and 36 RBIs in 38 games.
During the 2021 season, Hosmer played in 151 games for the Padres, posting a .269/.337/.395 slash line with 12 home run and 65 RBIs. In 2022, he appeared in 90 games for San Diego through the start of August, batting .272 with eight home run and 40 RBIs.
4.4. Boston Red Sox
On August 2, 2022, Hosmer, along with two minor-league players (Max Ferguson and Corey Rosier) and cash considerations, was traded from the Padres to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor-league pitcher Jay Groome. Notably, Hosmer was originally intended to be part of a blockbuster trade to the Washington Nationals for Juan Soto; however, Hosmer exercised his no-trade clause against that particular deal, leading to the trade to Boston. Upon joining the Red Sox, Hosmer primarily played as the team's first baseman. He was placed on the injured list on August 23 due to low back inflammation and was subsequently reactivated on October 3 for the final series of the season. In 14 games for Boston, Hosmer batted .244/.320/.311 with four RBIs. On December 16, he was designated for assignment by the Red Sox following the acquisition of Wyatt Mills. Hosmer was officially released on December 22, 2022.
4.5. Chicago Cubs
On January 13, 2023, Eric Hosmer signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. He played in 31 games for the Cubs, recording a .234 batting average, two home run, and 14 RBI before he was designated for assignment on May 19 due to offensive struggles. Hosmer was subsequently released by the Cubs on May 25, 2023.
5. Retirement
On February 21, 2024, Eric Hosmer publicly announced his retirement from professional baseball through an Instagram post. In the same announcement, he also revealed the creation of his new media company, MoonBall Media. Hosmer indicated that while he had received opportunities to continue playing, he felt that both his focus and physical abilities were no longer at the level required to justify extending his playing career.
[https://twitter.com/TheRealHos35 TheRealHos35]
6. International Career
Eric Hosmer proudly represented the United States in international competition. He played for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. During the tournament, he hit the go-ahead home run in a second-round comeback victory against the team from Venezuela. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Hosmer's strong performance earned him a place on the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team.
7. Personal Life
In October 2020, Eric Hosmer became engaged to Fox News sports host Kacie McDonnell. The couple married on December 31, 2021. In April 2022, they announced that they were expecting their first child later that year. Their son was born in September 2022. Hosmer currently resides in Florida.
8. Career Statistics
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | KC | 128 | 563 | 523 | 66 | 153 | 27 | 3 | 19 | 78 | 11 | 5 | 34 | 82 | .293 | .334 | .465 | .799 |
| 2012 | 152 | 598 | 535 | 65 | 124 | 22 | 2 | 14 | 60 | 16 | 1 | 56 | 95 | .232 | .304 | .359 | .663 | |
| 2013 | 159 | 680 | 623 | 86 | 188 | 34 | 3 | 17 | 79 | 11 | 4 | 51 | 100 | .302 | .353 | .448 | .801 | |
| 2014 | 131 | 547 | 503 | 54 | 136 | 35 | 1 | 9 | 58 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 93 | .270 | .318 | .398 | .716 | |
| 2015 | 158 | 667 | 599 | 98 | 178 | 33 | 5 | 18 | 93 | 7 | 3 | 61 | 108 | .297 | .363 | .459 | .822 | |
| 2016 | 158 | 677 | 623 | 80 | 166 | 24 | 1 | 25 | 104 | 5 | 3 | 47 | 134 | .266 | .328 | .433 | .761 | |
| 2017 | 162 | 670 | 599 | 95 | 192 | 26 | 1 | 25 | 94 | 6 | 3 | 65 | 104 | .318 | .385 | .498 | .882 | |
| 2018 | SDP | 156 | 632 | 577 | 72 | 146 | 28 | 0 | 18 | 69 | 8 | 3 | 47 | 105 | .253 | .322 | .396 | .718 |
| 2019 | 160 | 652 | 597 | 77 | 158 | 29 | 0 | 22 | 99 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 122 | .265 | .310 | .425 | .735 | |
| 2020 | 38 | 156 | 143 | 24 | 41 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 36 | .287 | .333 | .517 | .850 | |
| 2021 | 151 | 609 | 557 | 69 | 150 | 29 | 2 | 12 | 65 | 3 | 2 | 46 | 98 | .269 | .337 | .395 | .732 | |
| 2022 | SDP | 90 | 368 | 335 | 39 | 91 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 56 | .272 | .334 | .382 | .716 |
| BOS | 14 | 49 | 45 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | .244 | .320 | .311 | .631 | |
| 2023 | CHC | 31 | 104 | 94 | 10 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 28 | .234 | .308 | .340 | .648 |
| Career | 1628 | 6772 | 6150 | 770 | 1656 | 285 | 18 | 194 | 800 | 74 | 28 | 542 | 1072 | .269 | .335 | .425 | .760 | |