Johnny Giavotella

Johnny Arthur Giavotella

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 185 lb.
• School University of New Orleans
• High School Jesuit High School (New Orleans)
• Debut August 5, 2011
• Final Game July 25, 2017
• Born July 10, 1987 in Metairie, LA USA

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Biographical Information

Johnny Giavotella had already amassed 153 hits with the AAA Omaha Storm Chasers when he was called up to make his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on August 5, 2011. Playing second base against the Detroit Tigers, he had two hits including a double, stole a base and drew a walk in a 4-3 loss.

Giavotella was a second-round choice of the Royals in the 2008 amateur draft. He was signed by scout Scott Nichols and began his professional career with the Burlington Bees that year. He hit .299 in 68 games, then in 2009 played 133 games with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, hitting .258. Moving to the AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals, he had a great year in 2010, hitting .322/.395/.460 with 92 runs scored and 35 doubles and was named to the Texas League All-Star team. He then continued right where he left off in 2011 at Omaha, hitting .338/.390/.481 in 110 games before his call-up to the Show. He had already hit 34 doubles and driven in 72 runs at that time and was a Pacific Coast League mid-season All-Star.

Giavotella had an excellent first week-end in the major leagues on August 5-7, 2011. After going 2 for 4 in his debut, he managed a hit against one of baseball's toughest pitchers, Justin Verlander in his second game, then hit his first career home run the next day, against Max Scherzer, a blast which proved to be the winning run in the Royals' 4-3 win over the Tigers. "It does feel surreal. This weekend has been almost magical," he commented at the end of the three-game series. Overall, he hit .247 in 46 games that first season.

Related Sites

• Johnny Giavotella on mlb.com