Caleb Durbin is an American professional baseball infielder currently playing for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the first player ever drafted out of Washington University in St. Louis to reach the major leagues. Durbin was born on February 22, 2000, in Evanston, Illinois, and attended Lake Forest High School in nearby Lake Forest. He played college baseball at Washington University in St. Louis while earning a degree in economics. Durbin has played for multiple MLB organizations during his young career, including the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Milwaukee Brewers before joining the Boston Red Sox.
Caleb Durbin Bio
Caleb Durbin has emerged as a promising young talent in professional baseball, known for his versatility in the infield and competitive approach at the plate. His path to MLB included stops at a small liberal arts university, several minor league affiliates, and trades between major franchises. Durbin has demonstrated a blend of contact hitting, power, and baserunning ability throughout his professional career. He underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in October 2025 and has continued his career with the Boston Red Sox organization following a February 2026 trade.
Early Life and Background
Caleb Durbin was born in Evanston, Illinois, on February 22, 2000. He grew up in the Chicago area and attended Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois. At Lake Forest, Durbin was a three-year letter winner in baseball, a four-year letter winner in wrestling, and he also lettered in football. His multi-sport athletic background in high school demonstrated his versatility and competitive nature before he focused on baseball at the collegiate level.
College Career
Durbin played college baseball at Washington University in St. Louis while pursuing a degree in economics. He balanced academic rigor with athletic development during his time as a collegiate player. Beyond his college season, Durbin played collegiate summer baseball in the Northwoods League for the Rockford Rivets in 2019, and then for the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders in 2020 and 2021. In 2025, Durbin returned to Fond du Lac for a promotional night during a Brewers off day. He threw out the first pitch and visited with his former host family, showing his continued connection to the community where he developed as a player.
Caleb Durbin Career
Minor League Development (2021-2024)
Durbin was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round, 427th overall, of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Braves. Durbin split the 2022 season between the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets and High-A Rome Braves, where he batted a combined .241 with eight home runs, 62 RBI, and 31 strikeouts across 105 appearances. His early professional statistics showed promise for a player developing his craft in the Braves system.
On December 28, 2022, the Braves traded Durbin and Indigo Diaz to the New York Yankees in exchange for Lucas Luetge. He played the 2023 season with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades and Double-A Somerset Patriots. After the season, Durbin participated in the Arizona Fall League to further his development against top prospects. Durbin spent the 2024 campaign primarily with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, also appearing briefly for the Single-A Tampa Tarpons and Somerset. In 82 games for Scranton, he slashed .287 with 10 home runs, 60 RBI, and 29 stolen bases. Following the 2024 season, the Yankees added Durbin to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2025)
On December 13, 2024, the Yankees traded Durbin and Nestor Cortes Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Devin Williams. The trade marked a significant opportunity for Durbin to join an organization with a clearer path to the major leagues. He was optioned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the 2025 season. On April 16, 2025, Durbin was promoted to the major leagues for the first time, going 2-for-4 and scoring a run in his debut. By playing in that game, he became the first player ever drafted out of Washington University to play in the major leagues, a historic milestone for the school’s baseball program.
Durbin hit his first MLB home run on April 21 against Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants. On June 7, Durbin delivered a dramatic walk-off home run against the San Diego Padres, leading the Brewers to a 4-3 victory. He made 136 appearances for Milwaukee during his rookie campaign, batting .256 with 11 home runs, 53 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. On October 23, it was announced that Durbin would require arthroscopic elbow surgery, which ended his debut season.
Boston Red Sox (2026-Present)
On February 9, 2026, the Brewers traded Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler, and a compensation round draft pick to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan. The trade sent Durbin to a new organization as he continued his major league career. Through late June 2026, Durbin has appeared in games for the Red Sox while continuing to develop as a professional hitter.
Driving Style and Strengths
Durbin has shown himself to be a versatile hitter capable of contributing across multiple categories. His skill set includes contact hitting ability, emerging power, and solid baserunning instincts. His experience playing multiple positions in the infield adds value to any roster. Durbin has demonstrated the ability to impact games both offensively and on the bases early in his major league career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Durbin’s career has already included several memorable moments. Becoming the first player from Washington University to reach MLB represented a significant achievement for the school’s baseball program. His walk-off home run against the Padres in June 2025 provided one of the defining highlights of his rookie season. The combination of his draft position from a non-traditional baseball school and his rapid ascent through the minor leagues has made Durbin an interesting young player to watch in the American League.
Caleb Durbin Career Statistics
Through late June 2026, Durbin has accumulated 17 career home runs and 85 runs batted in across his time with the Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox. His career batting average sits at .245 during this span. Durbin has also shown baserunning ability with double-digit stolen bases in his young career.
MLB Statistics (Through June 25, 2026)
Durbin’s rookie season with the Brewers in 2025 established his baseline of production at the major league level. His 136-game appearance with Milwaukee showcased his ability to handle everyday at-bats while contributing across multiple offensive categories. The transition to the American League East with the Red Sox has provided new challenges as he continues his development.
Education and Background
Academic Achievements
While many professional baseball players come from large college programs, Durbin carved a unique path through Washington University in St. Louis. His pursuit of a degree in economics while playing collegiate baseball demonstrated an ability to balance athletics with academic responsibilities. This background sets him apart from many contemporaries in professional baseball and suggests strong time management and discipline skills.
Amateur Athletics
Durbin’s multi-sport career at Lake Forest High School helped develop his athletic foundation. His three years of baseball letters, four years of wrestling letters, and football letter showed consistent dedication to competitive sports. The wrestling background in particular may have contributed to the competitiveness and body control he displays as a professional player.