Jonathon David Berti Bio
Jonathon David Berti is an American professional baseball utility player known for his versatility and speed on the bases. Born on January 22, 1990, Berti has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams including the Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and notably led the league in stolen bases in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Berti attended Troy High School in Troy, Michigan, where he played baseball before being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 36th round of the 2008 MLB draft, though he did not sign. He went on to play college baseball at Bowling Green State University, where he set multiple school records including a .423 batting average and 93 hits in a single season. His collegiate summer baseball included a stint with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2010.
Path to Baseball
After college, Berti was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2011 MLB draft. He began his professional career in the minor leagues, showing exceptional speed and base-stealing ability. Berti played for various minor league teams, including the Vancouver Canadians and the Dunedin Blue Jays, where he consistently ranked among league leaders in stolen bases. His performance in the Australian Baseball League, where he set a stolen base record, further highlighted his speed and versatility.
Jonathon David Berti Career
Early Career (2011–2017)
Berti’s early professional years were spent developing in the Blue Jays’ minor league system. He demonstrated his base-stealing prowess with 56 stolen bases in the Florida State League in 2013 and was named an Eastern League All-Star in 2014 while playing for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Despite strong minor league performances, Berti did not break into the major leagues until 2018.
Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Berti made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in September 2018. Shortly after, he signed with the Miami Marlins, where he became a key utility player. In 2019, he led the Marlins with 17 stolen bases and played multiple defensive positions, becoming the first player in Marlins history to play over 20 games at third base, center field, and shortstop in the same season. In 2020, Berti made history by stealing second, third, and home base in a single inning, a first for a Miami player. His 2022 season was a career highlight as he led all of MLB with 41 stolen bases, achieving this milestone in just 102 games—the fewest games played by a stolen base leader in a full season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Berti’s signature achievement is leading Major League Baseball in stolen bases in 2022. His speed is further underscored by having the fastest sprint speed among all major league second basemen that year. He has also demonstrated rare defensive versatility and base-running skill throughout his career.
Jonathon David Berti Award Nominations
While Berti has not been publicly documented as receiving major award nominations, his league-leading stolen base title in 2022 stands as a significant professional accomplishment.
Jonathon David Berti Awards Won
Berti’s most notable accolade is leading Major League Baseball in stolen bases in 2022, marking him as the premier base stealer in the league that season.
Jonathon David Berti Family
Jonathon Berti’s father, Thomas Berti, played minor league baseball within the Detroit Tigers organization. Berti is of Italian descent, with his grandparents originating from Sicily.
Personal Life
Public information about Berti’s personal life, including marital status and residence, is not widely documented. His family background includes a strong baseball influence through his father, which likely contributed to his development as a professional player. In 2025, Berti signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, continuing his MLB career as a free agent after being non-tendered by the New York Yankees in late 2024.