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. A right-handed thrower and switch hitter, Lindor previously played for the Cleveland Indians. He is originally from Puerto Rico.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: Teammates in MLB history to ever go 30–30 in the same season

Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry went 30–30 in 1987.

1996: Teammates in MLB history to ever go 30–30 in the same season

Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks went 30–30 in 1996.

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.

August 2011: Signed with Cleveland Indians

In August 2011, after moving to Central Florida at the age of 12, Francisco Lindor signed with the Cleveland Indians, his mother and two older siblings joined him in Florida afterwards.

2011: Professional Career Begins

In 2011, Francisco Lindor began his professional career with the Low-A New York–Penn League Mahoning Valley Scrappers, appearing in four games.

2011: Drafted by the Cleveland Indians

In 2011, the Indians drafted Lindor in the first round (eighth overall) of the MLB draft. He chose to sign with the Indians for $2.9 million in August, foregoing a scholarship with the Florida State Seminoles baseball team.

2012: Indians Top Prospect

Prior to the 2012 season, Baseball America ranked Francisco Lindor as the Indians' top prospect.

2012: All-Star Futures Game Appearance

Prior to the 2012 season, MLB.com rated Lindor as a top prospect. In 2012, he was assigned to the Lake County Captains and named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game. He had a .257 batting average with six home runs.

July 15, 2013: Promoted to Akron Aeros

On July 15, 2013, Francisco Lindor was promoted to the Akron Aeros of the Double-A Eastern League.

May 7, 2014: Traded to the 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 Francisco Lindor to the Columbus Clippers of the Triple-A International League. In 126 games between Akron and Columbus, he batted .276 with 11 home runs and 62 RBIs.

June 14, 2015: MLB Debut with Cleveland Indians

On June 14, 2015, the Indians purchased Francisco Lindor's contract from Columbus and added him to the active roster. He made his debut with the Indians that day as a pinch hitter and recorded his first major league hit. He won the American League Rookie of the Month Award for September and finished the season with a .313 batting average and placed second in the AL Rookie of the Year Award voting.

2015: Season Start with Columbus Clippers

Francisco Lindor began the 2015 season with the Columbus Clippers.

2016: All-Star, Gold Glove, and World Series Appearance

In 2016, Francisco 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. Lindor was the 2016 Esurance MLB/This Year in Baseball Award winner for Best Defensive Player. He finished ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) voting.

April 5, 2017: First Career Grand Slam

On April 5, 2017, Francisco Lindor hit his first career grand slam against the Texas Rangers, contributing to the Indians' 9−6 victory and series sweep.

2017: World Baseball Classic

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

2017: Grand Slam in AL Division Series

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

2018: Milestone Seasons

In 2018, Francisco Lindor had done so already in 2018 in terms of 25 stolen bases and 25 home runs.

April 26, 2019: 100th and 101st Career Home Runs

On April 26, 2019, Francisco Lindor hit two home runs to lead the Indians to a 6–3 victory over the Houston Astros. They were the 100th and 101st home runs of his career.

January 7, 2021: Traded to the New York Mets

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

March 31, 2021: Contract Extension with Mets

On March 31, 2021, just hours before his deadline, Francisco Lindor agreed to a 10-year, $341 million extension with the Mets, keeping 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: Milestone Seasons

In 2023, Francisco Lindor had done so already in 2023 in terms of 25 stolen bases and 25 home runs, the 30-30 club since.

2023: World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Francisco Lindor played for the Puerto Rican national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and was made team captain. Puerto Rico lost to Mexico in the quarterfinals, with Lindor going 2–5 on two singles in their final game.

2024: Grand Slam in NL Division Series

During Game 4 of the 2024 NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Francisco 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: Milestone Seasons

In 2024, Francisco Lindor had done so already in 2024 in terms of 25 stolen bases and 25 home runs.

2024: 2024 Season Stats

In 2024, Francisco Lindor played in 152 games for the Mets, batting .273/.344/.500 with 33 home runs, 29 stolen bases, 107 runs scored, and 91 RBI.

2024: Mets Clinch Postseason Spot

On September 30, 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.

April 7, 2025: 1,500th Career Hit

On April 7, 2025, Francisco Lindor notched his 1,500th career hit, a single to left field off of pitcher Tyler Phillips in the bottom of the 5th inning as he went 3-for-4 with three singles and a run in a 2–0 Mets victory.

2025: Ineligible for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Francisco Lindor planned to reprise his role as team captain for Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, however he was ruled ineligible to play by the WBC's insurance agency due to his right elbow debridement procedure in October 2025.

2025: Milestone Season with the Mets

In 2025, Francisco Lindor became the first MLB shortstop to have 5 seasons of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in his career, was awarded NL Player of the Week, passed Curtis Granderson for the most leadoff home runs in a season by a Mets player, became the first shortstop in MLB history to have four separate seasons with at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases and achieved his second career 30–30 season, his first since 2023, and became the second shortstop to ever have two of them, joining Bobby Witt Jr. Lindor also became the fifth player to join the 30–30 club in 2025 and he and teammate Juan Soto became the third set of teammates in MLB history to ever go 30–30 in the same season.

2025: All-Star Game Selection and 200th Stolen Base

In 2025, Francisco Lindor was selected as the National League's starting shortstop in the 2025 All-Star Game, marking his first selection as a Met and his fifth overall. Lindor also recorded his 200th career stolen base on July 12 in a 3–1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

2026: Slow Start to 2026 Season

Francisco Lindor had a very slow start to the 2026 season, making several defensive miscues and hitting .167 with a .546 OPS in the first 15 games, contributing to the Mets poor start.

2026: Ineligible for 2026 World Baseball Classic

2026: Qualification for the 2026 World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Francisco Lindor victory against the Dominican Republic ensured Puerto Rico's advancement to the quarterfinals and qualification for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.