Jon Berti Bio
Jonathon David Berti (born January 22, 1990) is an American professional baseball utility player who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. Berti is best known for his elite speed on the base paths, a skill that helped him lead all of Major League Baseball in stolen bases during the 2022 season.
Across his MLB career through the 2025 season, Berti has batted .256 with 24 home runs, 128 runs batted in, and 108 stolen bases. Listed as a utility player, he has handled multiple defensive positions, including second base, third base, shortstop, center field, and first base.
Early Life and Background
Jonathon David Berti was born on January 22, 1990, and grew up in the United States. He attended Troy High School in Troy, Michigan, where he played for the school’s baseball team. His early athletic development in Michigan helped lay the foundation for a career built on speed, contact hitting, and defensive flexibility.
Berti’s father, Thomas Berti, played in minor league baseball with the Detroit Tigers organization, giving his son an early connection to the professional game. Jon is also of Italian descent, a piece of his family background that reflects his heritage. Growing up around the sport clearly shaped his path toward collegiate and professional baseball.
Path to Baseball
After high school, Berti was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 36th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, but he chose not to sign. He instead enrolled at Bowling Green State University, where he played college baseball for the Bowling Green Falcons. He set Falcons’ single-season records with a .423 batting average and 93 hits, and tied the single-season record with six triples. His 17 career triples also became a school record.
During the summer of 2010, Berti played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur competition. His performance at Bowling Green and in the Cape Cod League helped raise his draft stock and put him on the radar of MLB organizations.
Jon Berti Career
Early Career (2011–2017)
The Toronto Blue Jays selected Berti in the 18th round, with the 559th overall pick, of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He began his professional career with the Vancouver Canadians of the Low-A Northwest League, where he recorded 23 stolen bases and hit .291 with 21 runs batted in. In 2012, he split time between the Lansing Lugnuts of the Single-A Midwest League and the Dunedin Blue Jays of the High-A Florida State League, hitting .241 with two home runs, 40 RBI, and 34 stolen bases in 110 combined games.
In 2013, Berti stole 56 bases for Dunedin, the most in the Florida State League that season. That offseason, he joined the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League, where he stole 31 bases in 46 games to set an ABL record while hitting .309. He added four more steals in the 2013 Asia Series. Berti continued to climb the minor league ladder with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, reaching career highs in games played, home runs, and RBI in 2014. After electing free agency in November 2017, he re-signed with Toronto on a minor league deal in January 2018.
Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians (2018)
On April 21, 2018, Berti was traded to the Cleveland Indians organization in exchange for cash considerations. He appeared in 25 games for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, hitting .217 with three home runs and eight RBI. Less than two months later, on June 8, 2018, he was traded back to the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
The Blue Jays promoted Berti to the major leagues for the first time on September 26, 2018, starting him at second base that day. He was designated for assignment on October 5 and outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on October 9 before electing free agency again after the season.
Miami Marlins Breakthrough (2019–2023)
On December 3, 2018, Berti signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins and was invited to spring training. He opened 2019 with the New Orleans Baby Cakes before being promoted to the Marlins’ major league roster on April 20, 2019. As a rookie, he hit .273 with six home runs and led the Marlins with 17 stolen bases in 73 games. His defensive versatility was on full display, with 20 games at third base, 21 in center field, and 32 at shortstop, making him the first player in Marlins history to log 20-plus games at each of those positions in the same season.
In August 2020, Berti stole second base, third base, and home in the sixth inning of a game against the New York Mets, becoming the first Miami player to steal three bases in a single inning. On March 22, 2022, he signed a $1.2 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. That season, Berti led all of Major League Baseball with 41 stolen bases while being caught only five times, batting .240 with 47 runs, four home runs, and 28 RBI in 102 games. He was the only player in MLB to reach the 40-stolen base plateau in 2022, and no player in league history had previously led the majors in stolen bases in a full season with fewer games played. He also posted the fastest sprint speed of all major league second basemen, at 29.6 feet per second. In 2023, he batted .294 with seven home runs, 33 RBI, and 16 stolen bases before the Marlins exercised a $3.625 million option for 2024.
New York Yankees Era (2024)
On March 27, 2024, the Marlins traded Berti to the New York Yankees in a three-team deal involving the Tampa Bay Rays. After hitting .273 in 17 games, he suffered a strained left calf and was placed on the injured list on May 25, later being transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 12. Berti was activated on September 9 and finished the regular season slashing .273/.342/.318 with one home run, six RBI, and five stolen bases across 25 games.
In Game 2 of the 2024 American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, Berti made his first career start at first base, becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to make his first career start at a fielding position during postseason play. On November 22, 2024, the Yankees non-tendered Berti, returning him to free agency.
Chicago Cubs Era (2025)
On January 28, 2025, Berti signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. On July 4, he pitched the ninth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing two runs on three walks and two hits as the Cubs won 11-3. In 51 appearances for Chicago, he batted .210/.262/.230 with two RBI and 11 stolen bases. The Cubs designated Berti for assignment on August 12 and released him after he cleared waivers the following day.
Driving Style and Strengths
Berti’s game has always been built around elite speed, smart baserunning, and defensive versatility. He has the footwork to handle middle infield positions, the range to play center field, and the glove to fill in at the corners, making him a valuable utility piece. His ability to impact the game on the base paths is his defining trait, and his 2022 stolen base title showed just how dangerous he can be when healthy and on the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Berti’s most iconic moment came in 2022, when he became MLB’s stolen base leader with 41 steals in only 102 games, a feat unmatched in league history. He also made Marlins history as the first player to steal three bases in a single inning, and he became the fifth player in MLB history to make his first career start at a new defensive position during the postseason. His rare pitching appearance for the Cubs in 2025 added another unusual line to his versatile résumé.
Jon Berti Career Wins
Across his time in Major League Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs, Jon Berti has built a reputation as a reliable utility player and an elite basestealer. While he is not primarily known for power numbers, his speed and contact skills have produced 108 career stolen bases through the 2025 season.
MLB Highlights
Berti’s biggest MLB highlight came in 2022 with the Miami Marlins, when he led all of Major League Baseball with 41 stolen bases. He also set a Marlins record by stealing three bases in a single inning in 2020. His most recent notable appearance came in Game 2 of the 2024 American League Division Series, where he made his first career start at first base during postseason play.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the majors, Berti was a record-setter at Bowling Green State University, posting a .423 batting average and 17 career triples, both school records. He also set an Australian Baseball League record with 31 stolen bases for the Canberra Cavalry in the 2013-14 ABL season and led the Florida State League with 56 steals in 2013.
Jon Berti Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Berti’s father, Thomas Berti, played in minor league baseball with the Detroit Tigers organization, giving Jon an early connection to professional baseball. The family has Italian roots, reflecting a heritage that has shaped his personal identity. That baseball lineage helped guide Jon toward a career in the sport from a young age.
Personal Life
Jonathon David Berti is an American of Italian descent, and his personal life has largely stayed out of the public spotlight. His primary focus has been on his professional baseball career, where he has built a reputation as a versatile and reliable utility player.
2025 Season Performance
Jon Berti began the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs after signing a one-year, $2 million contract in January. He served in a utility role, moving between multiple positions while continuing to be a threat on the base paths. By midseason, he had already made 51 appearances and added 11 stolen bases to his career total.
A memorable moment came on July 4, when Berti took the mound for the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, an unusual outing for a position player that highlighted his team-first attitude. The Cubs won that game 11-3, and the appearance became one of the more unusual entries on his 2025 résumé. Despite his willingness to fill any role, his offensive production at the plate remained limited.
On August 12, 2025, the Cubs designated Berti for assignment, and he was released the following day after clearing waivers. With the 2025 season still ongoing, Berti is once again a free agent, evaluating his next opportunity as he looks to extend a versatile career built on speed, defense, and postseason experience.
