Samuel Onofrio Haggerty Bio
Samuel Onofrio Haggerty is an American professional baseball outfielder who has played for multiple Major League Baseball franchises. Born in Denver, Colorado, Haggerty has built a reputation as a speed-first player with a flair for dramatic moments on the field. He currently represents the Texas Rangers organization while continuing to contribute as a versatile outfielder capable of filling multiple defensive positions.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Onofrio Haggerty entered the world on May 26, 1994, in Denver, Colorado, where he would develop his passion for baseball during his formative years. He attended Mullen High School in Denver, establishing himself as a notable athlete before advancing to collegiate competition. His parents, Kevin and Lisa Haggerty, both competed as college athletes at Grand Canyon University, providing their son with a strong athletic foundation and competitive mindset that would shape his future career.
Following his high school graduation, Haggerty continued his academic and athletic pursuits at the University of New Mexico. He joined the New Mexico Lobos baseball program, where he quickly demonstrated his potential as a versatile player capable of impacting games in multiple ways. His collegiate career laid the groundwork for the professional achievements that would follow.
College Baseball Career at New Mexico
Haggerty made an immediate impact during his freshman season with the Lobos in 2013. He earned co-Freshman of the Year honors from the Mountain West Conference while securing spots on both the second-team all-conference and the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American teams. His plate discipline stood out, as he led the team with 47 walks and set a single-season Lobos record with 16 sacrifice bunts.
The outfielder continued to develop his game during his sophomore campaign in 2014. He elevated his performance to first-team all-conference status, posting a .340 batting average while leading the team with 14 stolen bases and 35 walks. After his sophomore season, Haggerty spent his summer playing for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier collegiate summer leagues in the country. During his final year with the Lobos, he hit .311 despite missing 30 games due to a strained oblique injury, ending a streak of playing more than 100 consecutive games for the program.
Samuel Onofrio Haggerty Career
Minor League Development (2015-2018)
The Cleveland Indians selected Haggerty in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, adding him to their farm system with high expectations for his speed and defensive versatility. He began his professional career that same year with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, where he posted impressive numbers by hitting .283 with one home run and seven RBI. He steadily progressed through the Indians organization over the next several seasons, advancing at least one level each year.
In 2016 with the Lake County Captains, Haggerty hit .230 with four home runs and 39 RBI. He improved during the 2017 season with the Lynchburg Hillcats, posting a .253 batting average with three home runs and 32 RBI while leading his team with 49 stolen bases, the most in his professional career to that point. He split the 2018 season between the Akron RubberDucks and the Columbus Clippers, combining to hit .239 with four home runs and 39 RBI across both levels.
New York Mets (2019)
On January 6, 2019, the Cleveland Indians traded Haggerty and pitcher Walker Lockett to the New York Mets in exchange for catcher Kevin Plawecki. He spent most of that minor league season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies while also appearing in games with the Brooklyn Cyclones and Syracuse Mets. He combined to hit .271 with three home runs and 26 RBI across all three affiliates.
The Mets selected Haggerty’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues on September 1, 2019. He made his MLB debut on September 4 as a pinch runner against the Washington Nationals. Haggerty appeared in 11 games during his time with the Mets, serving as a substitute in all appearances including eight times as a pinch runner and three times as a pinch hitter. He went 0-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts but scored twice as a pinch runner. The Mets designated him for assignment on December 24, 2019.
Seattle Mariners Breakthrough (2020-2024)
The Seattle Mariners claimed Haggerty off waivers on January 10, 2020, providing him with a fresh opportunity to establish himself at the major league level. His first MLB hit came on August 19, 2020, when he singled off Julio Urias of the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first at-bat with the team. He followed that achievement by stealing his first major league base two batters later. Haggerty began his Mariners tenure with an eight-game hitting streak that included his first career home run. However, his season ended prematurely on September 7 when he was placed on the injured list with a left forearm strain. He finished the shortened season hitting .260 with one home run and four stolen bases in 13 games.
The 2021 season brought memorable moments for Haggerty despite another injury-shortened campaign. On April 13, 2021, he hit a home run onto Eutaw Street at Camden Yards in Baltimore, becoming the first Mariner to accomplish that feat since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1994. Perhaps his most notable moment came on May 5 when he prevented the Mariners from becoming victims of a perfect game by Baltimore Orioles pitcher John Means. Haggerty was the only baserunner in Means’ no-hitter, reaching base on a dropped third strike before getting caught trying to steal second base. His season ended in June when he suffered a right shoulder inflammation injury requiring placement on the 60-day injured list.
Haggerty spent portions of the 2022 season shuttling between Triple-A Tacoma and Seattle, earning several call-ups throughout the year. On July 14, 2022, he hit the Mariners’ first inside-the-park home run in 15 years, hitting a line drive that Gold Glover Leody Taveras failed to catch on the fly. His season ended on October 3 when he sustained a groin injury while stealing second base. He finished the year with a .256 batting average and 13 stolen bases in 83 games.
In 2023, Haggerty appeared in 52 games for Seattle, batting .253 with one home run, five RBI, and ten stolen bases. His playing time was affected by stints on the concussion list and multiple optioning to Triple-A Tacoma. The 2024 season began with Haggerty on the injured list due to a personal medical issue unrelated to baseball. After being activated and recalled from Tacoma, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon on May 18 while attempting to catch a fly ball and colliding with the outfield fence, ending his season for the fourth consecutive year. The Mariners non-tendered him on November 22, making him a free agent.
Texas Rangers Era (2025-Present)
On February 3, 2025, Haggerty signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, joining their organization with the goal of returning to the majors. He opened the season with the Triple-A Round Rock Express and earned a promotion to the active roster on May 9 when the Rangers selected his contract. In 64 appearances for Texas during the 2025 season, he batted .253 with two home runs, 13 RBI, and 12 stolen bases while providing versatility across the outfield positions.
Haggerty experienced setbacks during his first full season with the Rangers organization. He was placed on the injured list on July 18 due to left ankle inflammation and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 24, which ended his 2025 campaign. Despite the injuries, his performance when healthy demonstrated his continued ability to contribute at the major league level as a speed-based player capable of affecting games on the bases and in the field.
Playing Style and Strengths
Haggerty has established himself as a speed-first player whose primary value comes from his ability to steal bases and create scoring opportunities. His career includes 47 stolen bases at the major league level through May 2026. He possesses the range and athleticism to play all three outfield positions effectively. His aggressive approach on the bases and his willingness to take extra chances have made him a threat whenever he reaches base. His walk-up music pays tribute to his Italian heritage, featuring the theme from The Godfather in honor of his mother Lisa.
Notable Moments and Milestones
Throughout his career, Haggerty has delivered several memorable performances that have highlighted his unique skill set. His role as the only baserunner in John Means’ 2021 no-hitter demonstrated his baseball instincts and willingness to take risks on the basepaths. His inside-the-park home run in 2022 marked the first such feat for the Mariners in 15 years. The home run he hit onto Eutaw Street at Camden Yards joined an exclusive group of players to achieve that distinction, following in the footsteps of Ken Griffey Jr. His brash playing style and personal flair earned him the nickname “Ham Swaggerty” or simply “Swaggerty” among fans and broadcasters.
Samuel Onofrio Haggerty Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Haggerty has accumulated meaningful statistics across multiple MLB franchises. His career totals through May 30, 2026, include a .232 batting average with 11 home runs, 54 RBI, and 47 stolen bases. His ability to impact games extends beyond traditional statistics, as his speed and defensive versatility have provided value to every organization he has joined.
Major League Highlights
Haggerty’s most productive stretch came during his tenure with the Seattle Mariners from 2020 to 2024. He appeared in 158 games across those five seasons, demonstrating his ability to handle a reserve role while contributing in multiple areas. His standout moments include his first MLB hit and steal in the same inning during 2020, his Eutaw Street home run in 2021, and his dramatic inside-the-park home run in 2022. With the Texas Rangers in 2025, he appeared in 64 games while batting .253 with 12 stolen bases.
Other Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Haggerty built an impressive amateur resume. His collegiate career at the University of New Mexico included conference Freshman of the Year honors and multiple all-conference selections. He was inducted into the Mullen High School Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2024, recognizing his achievements as a student-athlete in his home city of Denver.
| Series | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career (through May 2026) | .232 | 11 | 54 | 47 |
Samuel Onofrio Haggerty Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Haggerty comes from an athletic family with strong collegiate sports connections. Both of his parents, Kevin and Lisa Haggerty, were college athletes at Grand Canyon University. His mother Lisa holds special significance in his career, as he honors her and his Italian heritage by using The Godfather theme music as his walk-up song throughout his professional career. This tribute reflects the cultural pride that runs through his family background.
Personal Life
Beyond baseball, Haggerty has pursued entrepreneurial interests outside the field. In 2020, he launched a clothing brand called Epic Soul, demonstrating his ambition to build a personal brand and business ventures that can extend beyond his playing career. His brash playing style and flashy personality have made him a recognizable figure among fans, contributing to his distinctive identity in the sport.
As a child, Haggerty looked up to Roberto Clemente, the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder known for his humanitarian work and exceptional playing ability. This early influence shaped his appreciation for the game and the importance of playing with character and passion. His induction into the Mullen High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024 represented a full-circle moment, recognizing his achievements beginning in the city where he was born and developed as a young athlete.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant chapter in Haggerty’s career as he sought to establish himself as a consistent contributor with the Texas Rangers organization. After beginning the year with Triple-A Round Rock, he earned a promotion to the majors in May and immediately contributed to the Rangers’ roster. His performance through his first 64 appearances demonstrated the offensive capabilities that have defined his career, as he posted a .253 batting average with two home runs, 13 RBI, and 12 stolen bases.
The season encountered challenges when Haggerty was placed on the injured list in July due to left ankle inflammation. This marked another in a series of injury setbacks that have plagued recent seasons of his career. The subsequent placement on the 60-day injured list in late September ended his opportunities to contribute during the final stretch of the regular season. Despite these obstacles, his body of work when healthy showed continued promise as a speed-based player capable of providing value across multiple areas of the game.
Looking ahead, Haggerty entered the 2026 season with an opportunity to secure a more permanent role with the Rangers organization. His ability to stay healthy and produce consistently will determine his trajectory as he works toward establishing himself as a reliable major league contributor. His versatility in the outfield and his speed on the bases remain his primary assets as he continues his professional baseball career.