Mike Napoli

Mike Napoli
Napoli with the Cleveland Indians in 2016
Texas Rangers – No. 5
First baseman / Designated hitter
Born: (1981-10-31) October 31, 1981 (age 35) Hollywood, Florida
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 4, 2006, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
MLB statistics (through 2016 season)
Batting average	.252
Hits	1,043
Home runs	238
Runs batted in	678
Teams
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2006–2010) Texas Rangers (2011–2012) Boston Red Sox (2013–2015) Texas Rangers (2015) Cleveland Indians (2016)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2012) World Series champion (2013)

Michael Anthony "Mike" Napoli (born October 31, 1981) is an American professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Cleveland Indians.

Born in Hollywood, Florida, Napoli attended Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Another notable Flanagan High alumnus is current Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez. Napoli was drafted out of high school by the Anaheim Angels in the 17th round (500th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft.

Napoli began his professional career with the rookie-level Butte Copper Kings, but sat out most of the year after suffering a lower back strain. He returned in 2001 with the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes before transferring to Single-A Cedar Rapids. In 2002, he returned to Cedar Rapids, hitting .251 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI as the Kernels' primary designated hitter. He also started at catcher for 37 games. After being transferred to Rancho Cucamonga in 2003, Napoli only played 47 games after injuring his right shoulder.