Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Francisco Lindor

Discover the career path of Francisco Lindor, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Francisco Lindor, nicknamed "Mr. Smile", is a professional baseball shortstop currently playing for the New York Mets in MLB. Previously, he played for the Cleveland Indians. He is a switch hitter and right-handed thrower, standing at 5'11" and weighing 190 pounds.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: World Junior Baseball Championship

In 2010, Francisco Lindor played for the 18U United States team in the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was named to the All-IBAF Juniors Team as a shortstop.

August 2011: Signed with the Cleveland Indians

After Lindor signed with the Cleveland Indians in August 2011, his mother and two older siblings joined him in Florida.

2011: Drafted by the Cleveland Indians

In 2011, Lindor was the Cleveland Indians' first-round selection, and eighth overall, in the MLB draft.

2011: Professional Debut with Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Lindor began his professional career with the Short-Season A New York-Penn League Mahoning Valley Scrappers during the 2011 season, appearing in four games.

2012: All-Star Futures Game and Lake County Captains

Before the 2012 season, MLB.com rated Lindor as the 32nd best prospect in baseball. During the 2012 season, he was assigned to the Lake County Captains of the Class A Midwest League, and named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.

2012: Participated in the All-Star Futures Game

In 2012, Lindor participated in the All-Star Futures Game in the minor leagues.

July 15, 2013: Promoted to Akron Aeros

On July 15, 2013, Lindor was promoted to the Akron Aeros of the Class AA Eastern League from the Carolina Mudcats of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League.

2013: Ranked as Indians' Top Prospect

By 2013, Lindor was rated by Baseball America as the Indians' top overall prospect.

May 7, 2014: Traded to Gigantes de Carolina

On May 7, 2014, the Indios de Mayagüez traded Lindor's LBPRC player rights to the Gigantes de Carolina in exchange for Carlos Correa.

July 21, 2014: Promotion to Columbus Clippers

On July 21, 2014, the Indians promoted Lindor to the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League from Akron.

June 14, 2015: MLB Debut with the Indians

On June 14, 2015, the Indians purchased Lindor's contract from Columbus and added him to the active roster. He made his debut that day as a pinch hitter and recorded his first major league hit.

2015: Season start with Columbus

Lindor began the 2015 season with Columbus.

2016: All-Star Selection and Gold Glove Award

In 2016, Lindor led the Indians to a World Series appearance and earned his first All-Star selection and Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Puerto Rican shortstop to win the Gold Glove Award.

April 5, 2017: First Career Grand Slam

On April 5, 2017, Lindor hit his first career grand slam against the Texas Rangers, as the Indians won 9−6.

2017: Awards and Cover Athlete

End of season awards for Lindor in 2017 included selection as shortstop on Baseball America's All-MLB Team, and his first career Silver Slugger Award at shortstop. He finished fifth in the AL MVP voting, and was selected as the cover athlete of the video game R.B.I. Baseball 18.

2017: Previous Postseason Grand Slam

In 2017, Francisco Lindor had previously hit a grand slam in Game 2 of the AL Division Series.

2017: World Baseball Classic MVP

In 2017, Francisco Lindor played for the Puerto Rican national team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC). He was selected the MVP of Pool D. Following the conclusion of the tournament, he was named to the 2017 All-WBC team.

2017: Silver Slugger Award and All-WBC Team Selection

In 2017, Lindor won his first Silver Slugger Award and was a selection to the All-WBC Team.

2017: Grand Slam in AL Division Series

In Game 2 of the 2017 AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, Lindor became the third shortstop in major league history to hit a grand slam in the postseason.

2018: 25 HR/25 SB season

In 2018, Francisco Lindor had at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases, which he later replicated in 2023.

2018: All-Star Selection, Walk-Off Home Run, Silver Slugger Award

In 2018, Lindor was selected to the All-Star Game for the third consecutive time, hit a walk-off home run against the Minnesota Twins on August 8, and won the Silver Slugger Award for the second consecutive year.

2018: AL Player of the Month and Critical Errors

In 2018, Lindor won the first two AL Player of the Week Awards of his career in consecutive weeks of May 6 and 13, and was named AL Player of the Month due to his tremendous May. However, he committed critical errors on consecutive dates that led to losses against the New York Yankees in both games.

2020: Traded to the Mets

Following the 2020 season, Lindor was traded to the Mets.

January 7, 2021: Trade to the New York Mets

On January 7, 2021, the Indians traded Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets for Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez, Josh Wolf, and Isaiah Greene.

March 31, 2021: 10-Year Extension with the Mets

On March 31, 2021, the Mets and Lindor agreed to a 10-year, $341 million extension that would keep him with the team through 2031.

June 27, 2023: 200th Career Home Run

On June 27, 2023, Francisco Lindor hit his 200th career home run during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers off of pitcher Julio Teherán.

2023: First Shortstop with Multiple 25 HR/25 SB seasons

In 2023, Francisco Lindor hit his 25th home run of the season against the Baltimore Orioles, making him the first shortstop in MLB history to have three separate seasons with at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases.

2023: World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Francisco Lindor played for the Puerto Rican national team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and was made team captain. He ran out an inside-the-park home run to secure a win against the Dominican Republic, ensuring Puerto Rico's advancement to the quarterfinals and qualification for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

2023: Joined the 30-30 Club

In 2023, Lindor joined the 30–30 club.

2024: 2024 Season Stats

In 2024, Lindor played in 152 games for the Mets, batting .273/.344/.500 with 33 home runs, 29 stolen bases, and 91 RBI.

2024: Grand Slam in NL Division Series

On October 9, 2024, in Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Lindor hit a grand slam off pitcher Carlos Estévez in the bottom of the 6th inning to lift the Mets to a 4–1 lead and propel them to the NL Championship Series.

2024: Mets Clinch Postseason Spot

On September 30, 2024, in the penultimate game of the season, Francisco Lindor hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the 9th inning to give the Mets an 8–7 lead over the Atlanta Braves, which proved the final score, and allowed the Mets to clinch a spot in the 2024 MLB postseason.