Veteran utilityman Jon Berti is calling it a career. The 36-year-old speedster made the announcement today on Instagram. Berti thanked his former teams, teammates, coaches, agents and fans in a heartfelt statement:
After a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from professional baseball. It’s been a hell of a journey, full of ups and downs. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities and lessons that baseball has given me over the last 15+ years.
I want to thank the Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs for giving me a chance to play the game I love professionally. It was an honor to represent such great MLB organizations. Thank you to the Canberra Cavalry for an amazing time playing in Australia. Thank you to Team Italy for allowing me the opportunity to represent my heritage in the 2026 WBC.
Thank you to all my coaches, teammates, and staff. I was very blessed to have so many who helped me throughout my career.
Thank you to all the fans who supported me throughout my journey. I worked hard to represent the organization and city I was playing for. I appreciate all the love along the way.
Thank you to my agent Storm Kirschenbaum and [Ball Players Agency] for all of their support throughout my career. Nick Pietrykowski and Peak Physique Fitness for always preparing me for the next season to come. Couldn’t have done it without you guys.
Last but not least, thank you to all my family and friends who joined me for the ride. All the love and support from my amazing wife, parents, and brothers. I couldn’t have had all the success I did without you all in my corner.
Not bad for an undersized kid from Michigan. I’m excited for what’s to come. Until next time!
Originally drafted by the Blue Jays back in 2011, Berti was an 11th-round pick out of Bowling Green State. The 559th overall selection in that year’s draft, Berti grinded through seven minor league seasons and reached minor league free agency before making his debut. He re-upped with Toronto on a minor league deal in the 2017-18 season, was traded to Cleveland for cash that April, and then was traded back to Toronto for cash a couple months later. Berti finally got the call to the majors that September. He played in four games, was designated for assignment and again became a minor league free agent that winter.
A change of scenery finally brought the opportunity Berti had sought. After signing a minor league deal with the Marlins, Berti had his contract selected to the majors in April of 2019. It proved to be the beginning of a solid run as a big league utility player.
Berti was a fixture on Miami’s roster for the next five seasons, hitting .258/.338/.367 (95 wRC+) with 23 homers and 91 stolen bases in 1535 plate appearances. Along the way, he played second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions, drawing solid or better marks at the three infield spots and in left field. Berti never hit for much power, but he walked at a nearly 10% clip, had a roughly league-average strikeout rate, provided plus speed and was capable of playing just about anywhere on the diamond.
That versatility and steady output prompted the Yankees to trade for Berti just prior to the season opener in 2024. Groin and calf injuries wiped out most of his season, however. He posted a decent .273/.342/.318 batting line when on the field but only managed to get into 25 games (74 plate appearances). Berti played 53 games with the Cubs last season, too, but logged a career-worst .210/.262/.230 batting line in that time.
Berti’s career will conclude with a .256/.333/.337 batting line across 514 major league games. He came to the plate 1731 times and hit 24 homers, 65 doubles and nine triples. Berti swiped 108 bags, scored 232 runs and plated 128 runners.
While Berti may never have been a star, he was a late-blooming jack of all trades who had some quality all-around seasons in Miami and was twice named the recipient of the Jeff Conine Award for Heart and Professionalism by the Miami chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (as noted by Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald). Few 18th-round picks make it to the majors for even a cup of coffee — let alone eight seasons with nearly seven full years of MLB service. Baseball-Reference values Berti’s career at just shy of nine wins above replacement, and he took home about $10MM in total career salary. Best wishes to Berti and his family in whatever the next chapter holds.
