Kyle Farmer Bio
James Kyle Farmer (born August 17, 1990) is an American professional baseball infielder who played for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, and Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers selected him in the 2013 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with them in 2017. Farmer is known for his defensive versatility and has established himself as a reliable infielder at both shortstop and third base throughout his major league career.
Early Life and Background
Farmer grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, as a fan of the Atlanta Braves. He attended the Marist School in Atlanta, where he played both high school baseball and football. During his time at Marist, Farmer appeared in the 2009 film The Blind Side, portraying a high school quarterback. Charlie Leibrandt, a former MLB pitcher, served as his high school baseball pitching coach.
Following high school, Farmer played college baseball at the University of Georgia, where he served as the team shortstop. He compiled a .308 batting average and recorded a .968 fielding percentage during his collegiate career, setting a Bulldogs team record for a shortstop. In 2011, Farmer played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a prestigious summer league for college players.
Path to Professional Baseball
The New York Yankees selected Farmer in the 35th round of the 2012 MLB draft, but he did not sign with the team. He returned to Georgia for another year before entering the 2013 MLB draft, where the Los Angeles Dodgers chose him in the 8th round with the 244th overall pick. Farmer signed with the Dodgers shortly after being drafted and began his professional career that same year.
Kyle Farmer Career
Minor League Development (2013–2017)
The Dodgers converted Farmer from a shortstop to a catcher following the draft. In 2014, he made his professional debut with the rookie-level Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League before being promoted to the Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League. Farmer hit .310 in 57 games with Great Lakes and earned a promotion to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League, where he batted .238 in 36 games.
Farmer continued his ascent through the Dodgers system in 2015, beginning the season with the Quakes and earning mid-season All-Star selection before advancing to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League. That year, he participated in the All-Star Futures Game, showcasing his talent among the top prospects in minor league baseball. He returned to Tulsa to start the 2016 season and was again selected to the mid-season All-Star team. After the 2016 season, the Dodgers added Farmer to their 40-man roster. He reached Triple-A with the Oklahoma City Dodgers during the 2017 season before receiving his first major league call-up.
Los Angeles Dodgers Breakthrough (2017–2018)
Farmer was first called up to the majors on July 28, 2017. Two days later, in his first major league at-bat, he delivered a walk-off two-run double off Albert Suárez of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the 11th inning, giving the Dodgers a 3–2 victory. This memorable debut immediately established Farmer as a clutch performer in high-pressure situations.
Farmer appeared in 20 games for the Dodgers in 2017, primarily as a pinch hitter, collecting six hits in 20 at-bats for a .300 average. He made the Dodgers playoff roster and appeared in both the National League Division Series and Championship Series as a pinch-hitter. In 2018, Farmer played 24 games in the field, with 22 appearances at third base, posting a slash line of .235/.312/.324 in 68 at-bats. The Dodgers traded Farmer to the Cincinnati Reds on December 21, 2018, as part of a larger multiplayer trade that included Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, and Matt Kemp.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2019–2022)
Farmer became a regular contributor for the Reds following the trade. In 2019, he hit .230 with 9 home runs and 27 RBIs in 97 games. During the shortened 2020 season, he improved to a .266 average in 32 games. After being non-tendered by the Reds in December 2020, he re-signed on a one-year contract for the 2021 season.
Farmer enjoyed his most productive season in 2021, playing his first full MLB campaign. He hit .263/.316/.416 with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs in 147 games, setting Reds franchise records for highest fielding percentage and fewest errors by a shortstop. In 2022, Farmer made history on April 27 when he hit 4 doubles in a single nine-inning game, tied for the most in MLB that season. He later shifted from shortstop to third base for the remainder of the season after manager David Bell announced the change. Farmer earned both the team MVP award and the “good guy” award from local baseball writers that year.
Minnesota Twins (2023–2024)
On November 18, 2022, the Twins acquired Farmer from the Reds in exchange for pitcher Casey Legumina. He agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract in January 2023. That April, Farmer delivered a walk-off single during the Target Field home opener against the Houston Astros. Later that month, he required dental surgery after being hit in the face by a pitch from Lucas Giolito and was placed on the injured list. In 120 games with the Twins, Farmer slashed .256/.317/.408 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs.
In 2024, Farmer made 107 appearances for Minnesota, batting .214/.293/.353 with 5 home runs and 25 RBIs. The Twins declined their half of a 2025 mutual option on October 31, making him a free agent.
Colorado Rockies (2025)
On November 23, 2024, Farmer signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, which included a mutual option for the 2026 season. He appeared in 97 games for the Rockies, slashing .227/.280/.365 with 8 home runs and 31 RBIs. The Rockies declined their side of the mutual option on November 4, making Farmer a free agent once again.
Atlanta Braves (2026–Present)
On February 6, 2026, Farmer signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, his hometown team. On March 21, 2026, the Braves converted his deal to a split major league contract, adding him to their active roster. This marked a homecoming for Farmer, who grew up cheering for the Braves.
Defensive Versatility and Playing Style
Throughout his MLB career, Farmer has demonstrated versatility across the infield, playing significant time at both shortstop and third base. He has earned recognition for his defensive excellence, particularly during his tenure with the Reds, where he set franchise records for fielding percentage and fewest errors by a shortstop. Farmer has also served as a valuable bench piece and pinch-hitter, contributing both offensively and defensively in various roles throughout his career.
Notable Career Milestones
Farmer’s most memorable moment came in his MLB debut on July 30, 2017, when he hit a walk-off two-run double in his first major league at-bat. He matched a 2022 MLB record with four doubles in a single nine-inning game and earned both team MVP and “good guy” honors from the Reds. His ability to deliver in clutch situations has been a consistent thread throughout his professional career.
Kyle Farmer Career Wins
Through the 2024 season, Farmer has accumulated 63 home runs and 288 RBIs across his MLB career with a .248 batting average. He has played in over 600 major league games while contributing solid defensive metrics at multiple infield positions.
MLB Highlights
Farmer’s standout seasons include his 2021 campaign with the Reds, where he hit 16 home runs and drove in 63 runs while setting franchise records for shortstop excellence. His 2023 season with the Twins saw him post a .256 average with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs while delivering several key hits including a walk-off single in the home opener. His 2022 season featured his historic four-double game and marked his shift to third base while continuing to produce offensively.
Minor League Achievements
Prior to his MLB career, Farmer established himself as a top prospect within the Dodgers organization. He was selected to the All-Star Futures Game in 2015, participated in two consecutive mid-season All-Star games at the Double-A level, and demonstrated consistent offensive production throughout his minor league career with batting averages ranging from .238 to .310 at various levels.
| Season | Team | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 20 | .300 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 24 | .235 | 1 | 5 |
| 2019 | Cincinnati Reds | 97 | .230 | 9 | 27 |
| 2021 | Cincinnati Reds | 147 | .263 | 16 | 63 |
| 2023 | Minnesota Twins | 120 | .256 | 11 | 46 |
Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Farmer grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, as a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan. His connection to baseball ran deep from an early age, and his high school baseball coach was Charlie Leibrandt, a former MLB pitcher who helped shape his development as a player.
Personal Life
Farmer married his wife Courtney Sayre in 2018 after proposing to her in July 2017. The couple resides in Atlanta with their two sons. Farmer maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle @kyle__farmer/.
2025 Season Performance
Farmer joined the Colorado Rockies in November 2024 following his departure from the Minnesota Twins. He played 97 games with the Rockies in 2025, serving primarily as a third baseman and utility infielder. He slashed .227/.280/.365 with 8 home runs and 31 RBIs while adapting to playing at Coors Field, one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball. His experience and defensive versatility provided the Rockies with a veteran presence in their infield. After the season, the Rockies declined their side of the mutual option, making Farmer a free agent. His strong work ethic and professionalism continued to be valued traits throughout his time with the organization.