Career Timeline of Kyle Higashioka: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Kyle Higashioka built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kyle Higashioka, nicknamed "Higgy", is a professional baseball catcher currently playing for the Texas Rangers in MLB. Previously, he played for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres. Representing the United States, Higashioka also participated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His career highlights include his time with the Yankees, where he developed into a reliable catcher.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2008: Drafted by the New York Yankees

In 2008, the New York Yankees selected Kyle Higashioka in the seventh round of the MLB draft. He signed with the Yankees, receiving a $500,000 signing bonus, forgoing college.

2012: Played for Tampa Yankees and Trenton Thunder

In 2012, Kyle Higashioka played for the Tampa Yankees of the High–A Florida State League and Trenton Thunder, batting .170/.228/.327 in 147 at–bats combined.

2013: Limited play due to Tommy John surgery

During the 2013 season, Kyle Higashioka's play was limited due to Tommy John surgery.

2014: Limited play due to broken thumb

During the 2014 season, Kyle Higashioka's play was limited due to a broken thumb.

2015: Played with Tampa Yankees and Became a Free Agent

In 2015, Kyle Higashioka played with the Tampa Yankees and became a minor league free agent after the season, later re-signing with the Yankees during the offseason.

2016: Player of the Week and Promotion to Triple-A

In 2016, Kyle Higashioka started the season with the Trenton Thunder of the Double–A Eastern League, won the Player of the Week Award, and was promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League. He finished the 2016 season with a .276 batting average, 21 home runs, and 81 runs batted in, and the Yankees added him to their 40 man roster.

2017: Optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

At the start of the 2017 season, the Yankees optioned Kyle Higashioka to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

2017: Major League Debut and Injury

In 2017, after playing in one game for the RailRiders, Kyle Higashioka was promoted to the major leagues following an injury to Gary Sánchez, making his major league debut as a defensive replacement on April 10. He batted 0-for-18 in nine games and was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 5. On June 16, 2017 he was promoted back to the major leagues. After returning to the minors he suffered a knee injury and played in eight minor league games during August and September.

2018: First Major League Hit

In 2018, Kyle Higashioka had his first major league hit, a home run, on July 1 against David Price of the Boston Red Sox, after starting his major league career 0-for-22. His next two hits, on July 3 and 4 against the Atlanta Braves, were also home runs, making him the ninth MLB player since 1920 whose first three major league hits were home runs. With the Yankees in 2018, he batted .167/.241/.319 in 72 at bats.

2018: Started Season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Called Up to Majors

Kyle Higashioka began the 2018 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was called up to the majors on June 27, 2018, following an injury to Sánchez.

2019: Played with Yankees

In 2019, Kyle Higashioka batted .214 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 18 games with the Yankees.

September 16, 2020: Three Home Run Game

On September 16, 2020, Kyle Higashioka hit three home runs in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He became the 24th Yankee to have a three home run game and the first to do so while batting ninth in the batting order.

May 19, 2021: Caught a No-Hitter

On May 19, 2021, Kyle Higashioka caught Corey Kluber's no-hitter against the Texas Rangers.

June 12, 2022: Hit Home Run off Slow Pitch

On June 12, 2022, Kyle Higashioka hit a home run on a 35.1 miles per hour pitch off of first baseman Frank Schwindel. It was the slowest pitch hit for a home run since the debut of Statcast in 2015.

June 28, 2023: Caught Perfect Game

On June 28, 2023, Kyle Higashioka caught Domingo Germán's perfect game.

September 10, 2023: First Career Walkoff Hit

On September 10, 2023, Kyle Higashioka had his first career walkoff hit in the 13th inning.

December 6, 2023: Traded to San Diego Padres

On December 6, 2023, Kyle Higashioka was traded by the Yankees along with Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vásquez, and Jhony Brito, to the San Diego Padres for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham.