Morgantown native Jedd Gyorko traded to Dodgers

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown native Jedd Gyorko is headed from one contender to another in the National League. With an hour to spare in Wednesday’s 4 p.m. Major League Baseball trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to acquire Gyorko from the St. Louis Cardinals, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Gyorko, 30, spent the last 3 1/2 seasons in St. Louis after he was traded from the San Diego Padres prior to the 2016 season. Battling injuries for much of the year and currently on the 60-day injured list with lower back and leg issues, he’s played in 38 games and is hitting .196 in 62 plate appearances with two home runs and six RBIs. In a move to add infield depth by the Dodgers, Gyorko is playing on a $13 million salary this year ($5 million will owed by the Padres) and comes with a $13 million option ($1 million buyout) for next season. Los Angeles is currently without infielders Chris Taylor, David Freese and Kiké Hernandez due to injury. Gyorko reached out to fans of both the Cardinals and Dodgers on Twitter after the trade was announced.

⁦@Cardinals⁩ ⁦@Dodgers⁩ pic.twitter.com/c9gTyIegSq

— Jedd Gyorko (@JGyorko05) July 31, 2019

Gyorko became a star shortstop at University High as a multi-sport athlete, but excelled in baseball for the Hawks, as well as for Morgantown Post 2 with American Legion baseball. He went on to play at WVU for three seasons, earning all-Big East and all-American status and breaking several school records at the plate. After deciding to turn professional, Gyorko was drafted in the second round by the Padres in 2010. He made his Major League debut three years later and spent three seasons in San Diego before he was moved to St. Louis. In six-plus seasons in the Majors, Gyorko is hitting .246 with 112 home runs and 351 RBIs.