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Michael Chavis
Michael Chavis
from Wikipedia

Michael Scott Chavis (born August 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball infielder in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) and 210 pounds (95 kg), Chavis bats and throws right-handed.

Key Information

Early years and education

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Chavis attended Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia. Committed to Clemson University, Chavis won the home run derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in 2014. As a senior, he won Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year honors for Georgia, with a slash line of .580/.663/1.197 in 28 games, including 13 home runs, nine doubles. one triple, 37 run batted in (RBIs), 30 runs, and 21 stolen bases.[1]

Baseball career

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Boston Red Sox

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Minor leagues

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The Boston Red Sox selected Chavis in the first round, with the 26th overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[2] Chavis signed with the Red Sox rather than attend Clemson, and started his professional career with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox in their 2014 season. He struggled early in that season, but ultimately finished his rookie year with an average of .269 (36-for-134), one home run and 16 RBIs in 39 games.[1] He then belted a homer and drove in five runs in three playoff games, to help the Red Sox clinch the Gulf Coast League championship.[3]

Chavis opened 2015 with the Single-A Greenville Drive, where he hit 15 home runs on the year to lead the Red Sox system. He also had 144 strikeouts in 435 at bats to just 29 walks, while slashing .223/.277/.405 with 58 RBI in 109 games.[1] He stayed with Greenville in 2016, beginning the season with a .388 average through 12 games;[4] however, a thumb injury sidelined him in late April. Upon his return, his numbers steadily eroded, and he finished his time in Greenville with a .244/.321/.391 line, eight homers, and 35 RBI in 74 games before being promoted to High-A Salem Red Sox late in August.[1] He hit .160 (4-for-25) with five runs and one RBI in just seven games.[1]

After two inconsistent and injury-plagued seasons, Chavis slashed .318/.388/.641 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI in 250 plate appearances in 59 games for Salem before being called up to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. The promotion came after he was named the MVP at the Carolina League All-Star Game, where he went 1-for-3 and drove in both of the North Division's runs in a 2–0 victory at Salem Memorial Ballpark. At the time, Chavis led the league in homers, RBIs, slugging percentage (.641) and run scored (50), while ranking second in extra-base hits (36), and third both in average and total bases (143).[1] Overall, Chavis finished the 2017 season with 31 homers, 35 doubles, 2 triples, 94 RBIs, 89 runs and a .282/.347/.563 line in 126 games between Salem and Portland. He became the first 30-homer player in the Red Sox minors since Ryan Lavarnway (34) and Bryce Brentz (30) in 2011.[5] He finished the year rated as the Red Sox' No. 2 prospect, according to MLB.com.[6]

Suspension

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On April 6, 2018, Chavis was suspended for 80 games without pay due to testing positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a performance-enhancing drug,[7] brand name Turinabol.[8] He has stated that he never knowingly consumed anything on the banned substance list.[7][8] After serving his suspension, Chavis made his 2018 debut with the Class A Short Season Lowell Spinners on July 2.[8] He was later assigned to Double-A Portland.[9] On August 24, Chavis was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Overall for the 2018 season with three teams, Chavis batted .298 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 46 games played.[3] The Red Sox added Chavis to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[10]

Major leagues

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Chavis (left) in June 2019

Chavis opened the 2019 season with Pawtucket. On April 19, he was added to the major league active roster for the first time.[11] He made his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays the following day, doubling as a pinch hitter.[12] On April 23, Chavis hit his first major league home run in a 4–2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.[13] On May 15, he hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning of a 6–5 win over the Colorado Rockies.[14] On June 3, it was announced Chavis had won the American League Rookie of the Month Award for May.[15] At the end of June, Chavis had appeared in 63 games with Boston, batting .261 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs. On July 15, he hit his first major league grand slam, off of Trent Thornton of the Toronto Blue Jays.[16] On August 12, Chavis was placed on the injured list with a left AC joint sprain;[17] he began a rehabilitation assignment with Pawtucket on August 23.[17] On September 20, Boston manager Alex Cora indicated that Chavis would not return to the Red Sox for their remaining games in the season, but would likely play in the Puerto Rican Winter League.[18] In 95 games with the 2019 Red Sox, Chavis hit .254 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs.[19]

In the start-delayed 2020 season, Chavis was part of Boston's Opening Day lineup.[20] On August 18, he became the fourth batter in Red Sox franchise history to strike out five times in a game.[21] Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Chavis batted .212 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 42 games.[19]

In March 2021, Chavis was optioned to Boston's alternate training site near the end of spring training.[22] On April 10, was activated for one game when J. D. Martinez was briefly on the COVID-related list.[23] Chavis began the minor league season in Triple-A with the Worcester Red Sox, and was activated several times. Through July, Chavis appeared in 31 games with Boston while batting .190 with two home runs and six RBIs.[19]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On July 30, 2021, Chavis was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for relief pitcher Austin Davis.[24] Through the end of the regular season, he appeared in 12 games for Pittsburgh, batting .357,[19] and 25 games for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, where he had a .278 average.[25]

Chavis played in a career–high 129 games for the Pirates in 2022, slashing .229/.265/.389 with 14 home runs and 49 RBI. On September 26, 2022, Chavis was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Indianapolis on September 29.[26] After the season, he elected free agency on October 6.[27]

Washington Nationals

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On January 2, 2023, Chavis signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals.[28] On March 30, Chavis had his contract selected after making the Opening Day roster.[29] In 48 games for the Nationals, he batted .242/.281/.341 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. Following the season on October 18, Chavis was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings. However, he subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[30]

Seattle Mariners

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On January 11, 2024, Chavis signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners that included a non-roster invitation to spring training.[31] In 46 games for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, he batted .290/.367/.485 with seven home runs and 29 RBI. Chavis triggered the opt–out clause in his contract and was released by the Mariners organization on June 1.[32]

Chicago White Sox

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On June 5, 2024, Chavis signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[33] In 67 games for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he batted .234/.308/.414 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Chavis elected free agency following the season on November 4.[34]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On February 14, 2025, Chavis signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[35] He played in 63 games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, batting .291/.350/.547 with 13 home runs and 45 RBI. In a June 14 game against the Albuquerque Isotopes, Chavis hit for the cycle.[36] He was released by the Dodgers organization on July 8.[3]

Chunichi Dragons

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On July 11, 2025, Chavis was officially signed by the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball, joining another former first-round pick in Kyle Muller.[37] In 38 appearances for Chunichi, he batted .171/.267/.352 with five home runs and eight RBI. On December 3, the Dragons announced that they would not bring Chavis back for the 2026 season.[38]

Cincinnati Reds

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On December 24, 2025, Chavis signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[39]

Personal life

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Chavis's nickname, "Ice Horse," was coined on the Section 10 Podcast, a Red Sox podcast hosted by Barstool Sports Boston employees,[40] and soon adopted by fans, MLB, and Chavis himself.[41]

Chavis is a Christian. In high school, he was told "at 11:11, you make a wish", and in his later high school years he began posting the phrase "11:11" on social media with a new purpose: "I didn't like the idea of making a wish for no purpose ... I thought, why don't I say a prayer or something that's actually beneficial." He frequently uses his platform to post encouraging messages on social media while spreading his faith.[42]

Chavis has stated that his father is "full-blood Cherokee Indian" and his mother is from New York.[43]

References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Chavis (born August 11, 1995) is an American who has played in (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, , and , and currently plays for the of (NPB). Listed at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighing 190 pounds (86 kg), he bats and throws right-handed. Primarily a , Chavis has also seen action at first and third base throughout his career. Chavis attended in , where he was named the Player of the Year for the state as a senior after batting .580 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs in 28 games. The Red Sox selected him in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2014 MLB Draft. He spent five seasons in the Red Sox system, emerging as a top prospect after hitting 31 home runs in 2017 and 40 in 2018, the latter marking the highest total in that year. Chavis made his MLB debut with on April 20, 2019, and in his rookie season, he recorded 18 home runs and a .254 over 95 games, while leading the Red Sox in exit velocity and hard-hit rate. Over five MLB seasons from 2019 to 2023, Chavis appeared in 357 games, compiling a .238 with 263 hits, 42 home runs, 142 RBIs, and 133 runs scored. After being traded to the on July 30, 2021, he appeared in 12 games for that season and 129 games in 2022. Chavis signed with the as a in January 2023 and spent the 2023 season there, appearing in 48 games primarily as a utility . In 2024, he played in the for the Mariners and organizations. After becoming a following the 2024 season, he joined the organization on a minor league contract in February 2025 and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets. In July 2025, Chavis opted to leave the Dodgers to sign with the for the remainder of the NPB season.

Early life and amateur career

Upbringing and family

Michael Chavis was born on August 11, 1995, in , Georgia, and raised in the nearby suburb of Marietta. Growing up in a close-knit , he developed an early passion for through participation in local youth leagues, including T-ball, where his hitting prowess quickly became evident. His provided strong support for these pursuits, with his mother, Dorothy, a teacher who occasionally enforced discipline by restricting his practice time, and his father instilling a sense of heritage and encouragement. Chavis's father, of full-blooded , played a significant role in shaping his , earning the family "Chief" and young Michael "Little Chief," a that evolved into his "The Chief." His mother, originally from New York, maintained her maiden name and brought a steadfast influence to the household. Chavis also has a with whom he shares close family bonds, including matching tattoos symbolizing their faith and connection. In 2015, Chavis, his mother, and his sister experienced a personal falling out with his father, the details of which he has chosen not to discuss publicly; this period coincided with emotional challenges that tested his resilience. Despite such difficulties, his upbringing in Marietta laid a foundation that propelled him toward high school baseball at Sprayberry High School.

High school baseball and draft

Michael Chavis attended Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia, graduating in 2014 after playing baseball for the team from 2010 to 2014. As a senior in 2014, Chavis played primarily as a shortstop and posted a .580 batting average (47-for-81) with nine doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, and 21 stolen bases over 28 games, earning him recognition as one of the top high school hitters in the country. His performance helped lead Sprayberry to an 18-11 overall record and a GHSA Class AAAAA Region 7 championship with a 14-6 region mark. For his efforts, Chavis was named the 2013-14 Gatorade Georgia Baseball Player of the Year, highlighting his power-hitting ability and athleticism. During his high school career, Chavis attracted significant college recruitment interest and committed to play at in August 2012. He was ranked among the nation's top prospects, including No. 12 in the class of by Perfect Game USA, due to his compact build, right-handed swing, and defensive skills at . In the , the Boston Red Sox selected Chavis 26th overall in the first round on June 5, , as a high school out of Sprayberry. He signed with the Red Sox on June 24, , for a $1,870,500 bonus—equal to the slot value for his draft position—opting to forgo his college commitment and begin his professional career immediately.

Professional career

Boston Red Sox organization (2014–2021)

Chavis signed with the Boston Red Sox as a first-round pick (26th overall) in the 2014 MLB Draft out of high school, where he was initially scouted as a . He began his professional career that summer in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox, batting .269 with one in 39 games. In 2015, Chavis advanced to the Single-A Greenville Drive, where he hit .223 with 16 home runs across 109 games, showing early power potential despite a high strikeout rate. The following year, he split time between Greenville and the High-A Salem Red Sox, posting a .237 average with eight home runs in 81 games, continuing his development as an infielder. By 2017, Chavis broke out offensively, slashing .282/.359/.591 with a minor-league-leading 31 home runs and 94 RBIs over 126 games split between Salem and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, earning Carolina League MVP honors in the first half. This performance highlighted his raw power but also defensive limitations at shortstop, prompting the organization to experiment with him at third base and second base. Chavis's momentum stalled in 2018 when he received an 80-game suspension in April for testing positive for the performance-enhancing dehydrochlormethyltestosterone under the Prevention and Treatment Program. He played just 46 games across three levels before the ban, batting .298 with nine home runs, including brief stints at Triple-A Pawtucket. The suspension, which he accepted while denying intentional use, delayed his promotion and affected his prospect ranking, though he returned in late June to Portland and Pawtucket. To address defensive concerns, the Red Sox began transitioning him to corner infield positions and even outfield trials during his stint that year. In 2019, after starting at Triple-A Pawtucket (.257 average, seven home runs in 21 games), Chavis earned his MLB call-up and debuted on April 20 against the , recording a pinch-hit double in his first at-bat. He appeared in 95 games for the Red Sox that season, primarily at second and third base, batting .254 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs, providing solid rookie production amid positional shifts to first base later in the year. His versatility expanded further, as he logged time across the infield and a handful of games to accommodate Boston's roster needs. The 2020 season, shortened by the , saw Chavis in 42 games for the Red Sox, where he hit .212 with five home runs while splitting time between first base and . Defensive metrics remained a challenge, with below-average fielding at multiple positions, but his power stroke offered utility in a utility role. In 2021, Chavis split the season between Triple-A Worcester and the majors, appearing in 31 games for the Red Sox before being traded, batting .289 with 9 home runs and 23 RBIs in 121 at-bats.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2021–2022)

Chavis was traded to the from the Boston Red Sox on July 30, 2021, in exchange for left-handed Austin Davis. He made his Pirates debut on August 23, 2021, and appeared in 12 games that season, primarily as a utility and . In 42 at-bats, Chavis batted .357 (15-for-42) with one , five RBI, and a .500 , providing a brief spark to the lineup despite an elbow strain that sidelined him for much of August and September. During his limited time, Chavis saw action at second base (seven starts), third base (three starts), first base (one start), and right field (one start), filling a versatile role on a rebuilding team focused on evaluating young talent amid a 61-101 record. The organization, in the midst of a multi-year rebuild following years of poor performance, utilized Chavis's multi-positional flexibility to cover infield and corner outfield spots while developing its farm system. As a pre-arbitration eligible player entering his third MLB season, Chavis remained under team control through 2022, with the Pirates tendering him a in December 2021 to retain his services for year. In 2022, Chavis appeared in a career-high 129 games for , primarily at first base and as a , batting .229 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs. On September 26, 2022, he was and elected free agency on October 6.

Washington Nationals (2023)

On January 2, 2023, Chavis signed a minor league contract with the that included a $1 million salary should he be added to the major league roster, along with up to $500,000 in performance incentives. The deal came after the granted him free agency on October 6, 2022, following his designation for assignment earlier that month. Chavis earned a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster when his contract was selected on March 30, 2023. He served primarily as a utility and occasional off the bench during the 2023 season, appearing in 48 games with a .242 , two home runs, and five RBIs over 91 at-bats. His role emphasized versatility across multiple positions, including second base, third base, and left field, in support of the Nationals' lineup amid their rebuilding efforts. In September 2023, Chavis provided a key contribution in a late-season game, pinch-running and scoring the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the 11th inning during a 7-6 walk-off victory over the on September 9. His limited playing time reflected the competitive depth in Washington's infield and outfield. Following the season, the Nationals outrighted Chavis to Triple-A Rochester on October 18, 2023, after which he elected free agency rather than accepting the assignment.

Seattle Mariners (2024)

On January 18, 2024, Chavis signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners, including an invitation to spring training. He did not receive a major league call-up and spent the season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, appearing in 46 games and batting .290 with 7 home runs and 29 RBIs before being released on June 1, 2024.

Chicago White Sox (2024)

On June 8, 2024, following his release from , Chavis signed a minor league contract with the and was assigned to the Triple-A . He played 67 games, batting .234 with 9 home runs and 27 RBIs, providing infield depth for the organization. Chavis became a after the 2024 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2025)

Following free agency after the 2024 season with the , Michael Chavis signed a minor league contract with the on February 14, 2025, which included an invitation to major league spring training as a non-roster invitee. In spring training, Chavis appeared in seven games, recording 3 hits in 14 at-bats for a .214 , but did not secure a spot on the roster and was assigned to Triple-A . During the 2025 season, Chavis served as a versatile for the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, where he primarily played first base and second base while providing organizational depth. In 63 games, he batted .291 with a .350 , 13 home runs, and 45 RBI, highlighted by a cycle hit on June 15 against the . Despite his solid performance and power potential, Chavis did not receive a call-up to the major league club amid the Dodgers' deep infield roster, which featured established players like , , and . Chavis's tenure with the Dodgers ended on , 2025, when the organization released him, allowing him to pursue opportunities elsewhere as a . Throughout his time in the system, he functioned as a reliable depth option in a championship-caliber organization that had won the 2024 , contributing to development and emergency coverage without advancing to the majors.

(2025–present)

Following his release from the ' Triple-A affiliate on July 8, 2025, Chavis signed a one-year contract with the of , joining the club mid-season as a utility infielder. In 38 games with the Dragons during the 2025 regular season, Chavis appeared in 120 plate appearances, batting .171 with 18 hits, including four doubles and five s, while driving in eight runs. His performance highlighted raw power, as evidenced by a .352 , though he struggled with a 30.5% rate and a .267 amid the transition to NPB pitching. In the , he played 12 games, batting .293 with 1 and 8 RBIs. Chavis's versatility allowed him to contribute across the infield for a Dragons team that also rostered former MLB pitcher Kyle Muller, adding international experience to the lineup in the season's final stretch. His contract expired at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, leaving his future affiliation undecided as of November 2025.

Personal life

Family

Michael Chavis announced his to longtime Sarah Esposito on November 11, 2020, via , marking a significant milestone in their relationship. The couple later married, though the exact date has not been publicly disclosed. Esposito, now Sarah Chavis, has been a steadfast presence in Chavis's life, providing support during key career transitions, including his 2019 debut with the Boston Red Sox, where she participated in team-related events as his . In November 2024, Chavis and his wife welcomed their daughter, Scarlett, into the family, adding a new dimension to their amid his professional commitments. Balancing parenthood with the demands of a career has involved navigating relocations, including his 2025 move to the in . Sarah Chavis has actively contributed to these transitions, such as assisting with packing and relocation to following his 2021 trade, helping maintain family stability during periods of uncertainty.

Faith and public persona

Michael Chavis is a devout Christian who has openly described his faith as the most important part of his life, emphasizing his belief in Jesus Christ and the resurrection. Raised with Christian values, he has publicly shared his spiritual journey through interviews, stating that he has no intention of altering his approach to faith upon entering Major League Baseball. In 2019, as a rookie with the Boston Red Sox, Chavis highlighted how his beliefs provide guidance amid professional challenges. Chavis frequently expresses his faith on social media, using platforms like and (@michael_chavis11) to post inspirational messages and reminders for . On , he has popularized "11:11" tweets since high school as a signal for fellow to pray, a that gained attention during his 2019 MLB debut. His bio identifies him as a "Christ Follower," and he shares posts affirming divine plans, such as one in 2023 stating, "God has a plan, I'm just enjoying the ride." These updates often blend with career highlights, fostering a positive online presence. Known as "Chief Chavis" from his handle, reflecting his partial Native American heritage, Chavis maintains an engaging public persona through fan interactions and media appearances. He has surprised young supporters with personalized thank-you messages and responded directly to fan comments on , embracing a vibrant personality while avoiding unnecessary spotlight. Following his 2018 suspension for a positive PED test—which he denied intentionally violating—Chavis has focused on redemption through consistent performance and faith-centered messaging, steering clear of further controversies.

References

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