Jonathon David Berti Bio
Jonathon David Berti (born January 22, 1990) is an American professional baseball utility player who currently is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. Berti made his MLB debut in 2018 and has established himself as one of the premier speed threats in professional baseball, leading all of Major League Baseball in stolen bases during the 2022 season. His defensive versatility has allowed him to play multiple positions across the diamond, including shortstop, third base, center field, and second base.
Early Life and Background
Jon Berti grew up in Troy, Michigan, where he attended Troy High School and played baseball for the school’s team. His talent was evident early, as the Oakland Athletics selected him in the 36th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Berti chose not to sign with Oakland and instead pursued his college career, enrolling at Bowling Green State University. While playing for the Bowling Green Falcons baseball team, Berti demonstrated exceptional hitting ability, setting single-season school records with a .423 batting average and 93 hits during his collegiate career.
During his time at Bowling Green State, Berti also tied the single-season record with six triples, and his 17 career triples remain a program record. In 2010, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League, further developing his skills against top college competition. His father, Thomas Berti, played minor league baseball in the Detroit Tigers organization, providing Jon with baseball lineage that would influence his professional aspirations.
Path to Major League Baseball
Berti’s path to professional baseball began when the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 18th round, with the 559th overall selection, of the 2011 MLB draft. He began his minor league career with the Vancouver Canadians of the Low-A Northwest League, where he recorded 23 stolen bases while hitting .291 with 21 runs batted in. The following year, Berti advanced to the Lansing Lugnuts and Dunedin Blue Jays, combining to hit .241 with 34 stolen bases in 110 games.
His stock as a speedster continued to rise in 2013 when he stole 56 bases with Dunedin, leading the entire Florida State League. That offseason, Berti played for the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League, where he set an Australian Baseball League record with 31 stolen bases in 46 games while batting .309. He followed that with a strong 2014 campaign with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of Double-A, stealing 38 bases and earning Eastern League All-Star honors before receiving an assignment to the Arizona Fall League.
Jonathon David Berti Career
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2018)
Berti spent portions of seven seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system before finally earning his first MLB promotion. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians on April 21, 2018, appearing in 25 games for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers before being traded back to Toronto on June 8, 2018. The Blue Jays promoted Berti to the major leagues for the first time on September 26, 2018, inserting him into the starting lineup at second base that same day.
Miami Marlins Breakthrough (2019–2023)
On December 3, 2018, Berti signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins and received an invitation to spring training. He opened the 2019 season with the New Orleans Baby Cakes before being promoted to the Marlins major league roster on April 20, 2019. In his rookie season with Miami, Berti hit .273 with six home runs and led the team with 17 stolen bases in 73 games. He showcased remarkable defensive versatility, becoming the first player in Marlins history to play 20 or more games at shortstop, third base, and center field in the same season.
One of Berti’s most memorable performances came in August 2020, when he stole second base, third base, and home in the same inning against the New York Mets, becoming the first Miami player to steal three bases in one inning. His 2022 season proved to be his career-defining year, as Berti signed a $1.2 million contract and went on to lead all of Major League Baseball with 41 stolen bases while being caught only five times. He became the only player to reach the 40-stolen base plateau in 2022, accomplishing the feat in just 102 games, representing the fewest games ever for an MLB stolen base leader in a full season.
Before the 2023 season, the Marlins signed Berti to a one-year contract worth $2.125 million with a team option for 2024. He responded with a strong season, batting .294 with seven home runs, 33 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases. After the season, Miami exercised their $3.625 million option for 2024.
New York Yankees (2024)
On March 27, 2024, the Marlins traded Berti to the New York Yankees in a three-team trade. He appeared in 17 games and was hitting .273 before suffering a strained left calf that landed him on the injured list in May. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 12 and was activated on September 9. In 25 total games for the Yankees, Berti slashed .273/.342/.318 with one home run, six runs batted in, and five stolen bases.
His postseason experience with New York proved historic. In Game 2 of the 2024 American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, Berti started at first base for the first time in his career. It marked just the fifth time in MLB history that a player made his first career start at a fielding position in postseason play. The Yankees non-tendered Berti on November 22, making him a free agent.
Chicago Cubs (2025)
On January 28, 2025, Berti signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. He appeared in 51 games for Chicago, batting .210/.262/.230 with two runs batted in and 11 stolen bases. Notably, Berti pitched the ninth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 4, allowing two runs while the Cubs won 11-3. The Cubs designated Berti for assignment on August 12 and released him after he cleared waivers the following day.
Driving Style and Strengths
Berti has built his professional reputation as an elite base-stealer with exceptional speed. In 2022, he recorded the fastest sprint speed among all major league second basemen at 29.6 feet per second. His ability to steal bases at an unprecedented rate while maintaining a high success rate (41 successful steals against only five caught stealing) made him one of the most dangerous baserunners in baseball during his peak seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Berti’s most significant career milestone came in 2022 when he led all of Major League Baseball with 41 stolen bases, doing so in just 102 games. This feat marked the fewest games ever for a full-season MLB stolen base leader. Additionally, his three-steal inning in August 2020 established a unique Marlins franchise record that showcased his baserunning explosiveness.
Jonathon David Berti Career Wins
Across his MLB career spanning from 2018 through 2025, Berti has accumulated 108 stolen bases, 24 home runs, and 128 runs batted in while posting a career batting average of .256. His career highlights include leading the major leagues in steals and authoring multiple historic baserunning performances.
MLB Stolen Base Leadership
The crown jewel of Berti’s career came during the 2022 season with the Miami Marlins, when he led all of Major League Baseball with 41 stolen bases. This achievement placed him among the elite company of MLB speed threats, and his accomplishment was made even more remarkable by the efficiency with which he achieved it. He was caught stealing only five times, representing an 89 percent success rate. Berti reached the 40-steal plateau in just 102 games, making him the fastest player in MLB history to achieve that milestone within a single season.
Other Highlights and Records
Prior to his MLB success, Berti set multiple minor league records, including an Australian Baseball League record with 31 stolen bases during the 2013-14 season. He earned Eastern League All-Star honors in 2014 with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and holds the Bowling Green State University career record with 17 triples.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Stolen Bases | 108 |
| Career Home Runs | 24 |
| Career RBI | 128 |
| Career Batting Average | .256 |
Jonathon David Berti Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Berti comes from a baseball family, as his father, Thomas Berti, played in the minor leagues within the Detroit Tigers organization. This familial connection to professional baseball provided Jon with early exposure and guidance throughout his development as a player. Berti is of Italian descent, reflecting his heritage through his family background.
Personal Life
Born in Troy, Michigan, on January 22, 1990, Berti has maintained connections to his Midwestern roots throughout his professional career. His path through professional baseball has taken him across multiple organizations and cities, but his foundation in the sport traces directly to his family and his upbringing in Michigan.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Berti as he joined the Chicago Cubs on a one-year, $2 million contract in late January. He appeared in 51 games with Chicago, contributing 11 stolen bases while batting .210 with a .262 on-base percentage. The highlight of his season came on July 4 when he took the mound as a pitcher in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, a rare two-way appearance that demonstrated his versatility. The Cubs won that game 11-3. Berti was designated for assignment by Chicago on August 12 and released the following day after clearing waivers. As a free agent, Berti continues to seek opportunities to contribute as a utility player and baserunning specialist at the major league level.