Jason Heyward Bio
Jason Alias Heyward, born August 9, 1989, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, is an American former professional baseball right fielder who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed “J-Hey,” he played for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and San Diego Padres. A first-round draft pick by the Braves in 2007, Heyward debuted in the majors in 2010 and was widely regarded as one of the top defensive outfielders of his generation, earning five Gold Glove Awards and a World Series championship ring with the Cubs in 2016.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Heyward bats and throws left-handed. He retired from professional baseball in March 2026 and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers front office as a special assistant in May 2026.
Early Life and Background
Jason Heyward was born to Eugene and Laura Heyward, both graduates of Dartmouth College. Eugene, originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, played basketball and majored in engineering, while Laura, from New York City, studied French. The couple met at Dartmouth and soon started a family. Jason has a younger brother, Jacob, born in 1995, who later played college baseball at the University of Miami and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2016.
The Heywards relocated to the Atlanta metropolitan area soon after Jason was born. His father dedicated himself to driving his sons to tournaments across the region in the family Chevrolet Suburban, often combining the trips with a long commute to Robins Air Force Base. Eugene stressed discipline but also reminded his sons that baseball should always remain fun, a mindset Jason has carried throughout his life.
Heyward attended Henry County High School in McDonough, Georgia, where he starred on the baseball team. As a senior, he batted .520 with eight home runs and 29 runs batted in. He led the Warhawks to a state championship during his junior season and faced future MLB star Buster Posey in a memorable high school playoff series during his sophomore year. Before graduating, Heyward was a standout at the renowned East Cobb Baseball program and was courted by several college programs, including UCLA, Clemson, and Georgia Tech.
Path to Baseball
Heyward’s ascent to professional baseball began in the 2007 MLB Draft, when the Atlanta Braves selected him 14th overall out of Henry County High School. Although he had signed a National Letter of Intent with UCLA, Heyward chose professional baseball and inked a $1.7 million contract with the Braves. He began his minor league career at age 17 with the Gulf Coast League Braves and the Danville Braves, homering in his very first professional game.
Over the next two seasons, Heyward rapidly climbed the minor league ladder. He played for Single-A Rome in 2008, earning South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Prospect honors, and was promoted through High-A Myrtle Beach, Double-A Mississippi, and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2009. He was named Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America and USA Today. Entering 2010, multiple outlets ranked him as the top prospect in all of baseball, ahead of future stars Stephen Strasburg and Giancarlo Stanton.
Jason Heyward Career
Early Career (2010)
The Atlanta Braves added Heyward to their 40-man roster before the 2010 season and named him their starting right fielder after a strong spring training. On Opening Day, Heyward announced his arrival in style, hitting a three-run home run estimated at 471 feet off Chicago Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano in his first major league at-bat. He became the fifth player in Braves history to homer in his first MLB plate appearance.
Heyward enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign, earning National League Rookie of the Month honors in both April and May. He was selected to the NL All-Star team and finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He ended the year with a .277 batting average, 18 home runs, and 83 runs scored, while playing elite defense in right field.
Atlanta Braves Era (2010–2014)
Heyward’s second MLB season was disrupted by a degenerative condition in his lower back and a shoulder injury that sent him to the disabled list. He rebounded in 2012 with a breakout campaign, hitting 27 home runs, driving in 82 runs, scoring 93 times, and stealing 21 bases. That year, he captured his first Gold Glove Award and his first Fielding Bible Award, establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier defensive outfielders.
In 2013, Heyward had surgery after being hit in the face by a pitch, which fractured his jaw and required two plates. Despite missing time, he returned to post a solid year. In 2014, he was the primary leadoff hitter for the Braves, playing 149 games with 11 home runs and 20 stolen bases, while earning his second Gold Glove and his second Fielding Bible Award. On November 17, 2014, the Braves traded Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals Era (2015)
Heyward joined the Cardinals for the 2015 season and quickly became a fan favorite. He posted a career-high .293 batting average with a .359 on-base percentage and a .439 slugging percentage. He hit two home runs in a game against the Marlins on August 16, and his second career grand slam on September 30 helped the Cardinals clinch their third consecutive National League Central title. Despite his strong regular season, St. Louis fell to the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS. After the season, Heyward won his third Gold Glove and third Fielding Bible Award.
Chicago Cubs Era (2016–2022)
On December 15, 2015, Heyward signed an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, then the largest deal in franchise history. He struggled at the plate in 2016, batting .230 with seven home runs, but he was a steady defensive presence in right field, earning his fourth Gold Glove. He became a World Series champion when the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games, ending a 108-year championship drought. Heyward was credited with leading a pivotal players-only meeting during a rain delay in Game 7. In November 2016, he became the first position player in MLB history to win three consecutive Gold Gloves with three different teams.
Over the remainder of his Cubs tenure, Heyward experienced injuries and inconsistent offensive production, though he delivered memorable moments, including walk-off hits and a grand slam. He was released by the Cubs in November 2022, with the team still owing him a substantial portion of his contract. In December 2022, The Sporting News named his contract among the worst free-agent deals in MLB history.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2023–2024)
Heyward signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2022 and made the Opening Day roster in 2023. He reworked his swing, accepted a platoon role, and enjoyed a resurgent season, batting .269 with 15 home runs and 40 runs batted in over 124 games. He was honored with the Roy Campanella Award as the most inspirational Dodger of the year.
He returned to the Dodgers in 2024 on a one-year, $9 million contract but struggled offensively, batting .208 in 63 games. He was designated for assignment in August and released a few days later.
Houston Astros Era (2024)
On August 29, 2024, Heyward signed with the Houston Astros. In his Astros debut, he delivered a key two-run double in a victory over the Kansas City Royals. On September 24, he made a memorable jumping catch at the wall and hit a two-run home run in the same inning to help the Astros clinch their fourth straight American League West title. Houston was swept by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Wild Card Series. After the season, Heyward elected free agency.
San Diego Padres Era (2025)
On February 11, 2025, Heyward signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the San Diego Padres. In 34 appearances, he batted .176 with two home runs and 12 runs batted in. The Padres designated him for assignment on June 21, 2025, and released him on June 24.
Notable Events and Milestones
Heyward’s defining moments include his 471-foot home run on Opening Day 2010, his role in leading the Cubs’ players-only meeting during the 2016 World Series, and his historic 2016 Gold Glove that made him the first position player to win three consecutive awards with three different clubs. He retired in March 2026 and was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a special assistant in their front office in May 2026.
Jason Heyward Career Wins
Jason Heyward’s 16 MLB seasons were defined more by elite defense and team success than by batting titles. He earned five Gold Glove Awards and a World Series championship, and he finished second in the 2010 National League Rookie of the Year voting.
All-Star and Award Highlights
Heyward was named to the National League All-Star team in 2010, his rookie season. He won Rawlings Gold Glove Awards in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, while also taking home Fielding Bible Awards in 2012, 2014, and 2015. In 2014, Wilson Sporting Goods named him the overall MLB Defensive Player of the Year.
Other Performances
Heyward posted a career-high .293 batting average with the Cardinals in 2015 and recorded his best power year in 2012 with 27 home runs. He earned the Roy Campanella Award with the Dodgers in 2023 and was a key clubhouse leader during the Cubs’ 2016 World Series run.
Jason Heyward Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Jason Heyward was raised in a sports-minded family. His father, Eugene, played college basketball at Dartmouth and worked in engineering, while his mother, Laura, also a Dartmouth graduate, studied French. His great-uncle, Kenny Washington, played basketball on two John Wooden-led UCLA NCAA championship teams in 1964 and 1965. Jason’s younger brother, Jacob Heyward, played college baseball at the University of Miami and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2013 and the San Francisco Giants in 2016. Jacob later became a coach in the Giants’ organization.
Personal Life
Jason Heyward is married to Vedrana Heyward. The couple welcomed a son in March 2022. They have owned homes in both the Chicago area and Los Angeles. Heyward has also been active in charitable work, including participation in breast cancer awareness campaigns in honor of his grandmother.
2025 Season Performance
Jason Heyward began the 2025 season with the San Diego Padres after signing a one-year, $1 million contract in February. He appeared in 34 games for San Diego, batting .176 with a .223 on-base percentage and a .271 slugging percentage, while recording two home runs and 12 runs batted in. His role was limited, and the Padres designated him for assignment on June 21, 2025, before releasing him three days later.
Following his release, Heyward remained a free agent for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year. In March 2026, he announced his retirement from professional baseball, ending a 16-year MLB career that spanned six organizations. Several months later, the Los Angeles Dodgers hired him as a special assistant in their front office, where he transitioned into an off-field role.
