Youkilis, Kevin

Kevin E. Youkilis

Considered one of the top young players in the Boston Red Sox organization, Youkilis was called up from AAA Pawtucket on May 15, 2004. That day, he became the seventh player in Red Sox history to hit a home run in his first big league game and was named AL Rookie of the Month in May despite playing only half the month. Youkilis appeared in 72 games for the Red Sox that year as Boston ended an 86 year drought and won the World Series. During the 2006 season he has become the regular first baseman for the Red Sox, consistently hitting over .300 as the Boston's valued leadoff batter.

Admiringly referred to as "The Greek God of Walks" by Oakland General Manager Billy Beane, Kevin possesses an excellent eye and superb strike-zone judgement, drawing an abundance of walks against few strikeouts. A line-drive hitter who effectively hits pitches into the gaps, Youkilis is a good baserunner and a solid defensive third baseman. In 2005, he hit .278 in only 79 plate appearances (at Triple A Pawtucket, he had hit a torrid .322) but had an impressive OBP of .394 thanks to his 13 walks. He also played errorless defense, and consequently compiled a perfect fielding average of 1.000.

By the end of the 2008 season, Youkilis was one of baseball's major stars, and received considerable support for AL MVP. Prior to the 2009 campaign, Kevin was named to the USA Olympic team (along with fellow Jewish star Ryan Braun of Milwaukee).

Birth and Death Dates:
b. March 15, 1979

Career Highlights:
One of the greatest players in the history of Conference USA, Youkilis played for the University of Cincinnati. A two-time All-America, he had 53 career home runs (first in school history) and 313 career hits (second) while leading the team to a school record 35 wins in 2000 (they had 34 wins in 2001). A first team All-conference selection, Kevin finished his career in the top ten in conference history in hits (313 - fifth), home runs (53 - fourth), runs (279 - second), total bases (536 - fifth), runs batted in (203 - ninth), and doubles (58 - eighth).

In 2001, he was selected in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox. He began that season at class A Lowell and hit .317 (58-183) in 59 games. The following season, he began at class A Augusta before being promoted to Sarasota (A) and then Trenton (AA), where he hit a scorching .344 in 44 games.

In 2003, Youkilis began the season at AA Portland where he hit a rousing .327 (102-312) in 94 games. That year, Youkilis had a combined 71-game on-base streak playing for AA Portland and AAA Pawtucket. The following year, he was called up to the Red Sox and appeared in 72 games for the Red Sox during the season, hitting .260 (54-208) with seven HR, 35 RBI, and 38 runs scored. Boston finished with a record of 98-64 and clinched the AL wild card spot. In the AL Divisional Series, they swept the Anaheim Angels. Youkilis appeared in one game and went 0-2. The Red Sox then mounted the greatest comeback in baseball playoffs history, rebounding from an 0-3 deficit to sweep four in a row from the mighty New York Yankees. Boston then swept the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0, in The World Series.

Career Dates:
Youkilis is playing for the Boston Red Sox in 2004.

Position:
third base

Physical description:
6'1", 220 pounds

Career Statistics:
Games: 116
Batting Avg.: .265
Slugging Avg.: .411

At-bats: 287
Hits: 76
Doubles: 18
Triples: 0

Home Runs: 8
Home Run %: 0.0
Runs: 49
RBI: 44

BB: 47
Strike Outs: 64
Stolen Bases: 0

Pinch Hitting
At-bats: n/a
Hits: n/a

Fielding Statistics
Put-outs: 105
Assists: 137
Errors: 5
Double-plays: 14

Fielding Avg: 0.980

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