George Chelston Springer III (born September 19, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2020. He is from New Britain, Connecticut.
The Astros selected Springer in the first round (11th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2014, for the Astros. Springer has played primarily in right field and also spent significant time in center field. A native of New Britain, Connecticut, Springer is of Puerto Rican and Panamanian descent.
On January 23, 2021, Springer signed a six-year, $150 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He injured his quadriceps in spring training, however, and missed the start of the season.
He finally made his debut in the team’s 23rd game of the season on April 28. Springer was again placed on the injured list on May 5 with a quad strain. While on the injured list, Springer made his first return to Houston as a Blue Jay in an early-May series, and received a standing ovation. Springer returned to Toronto’s lineup on June 22.
On August 2, Springer was named AL Player of the Week batting .400 with eight runs scored, five doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, six walks, and a .960 slugging percentage over seven games played.
On August 9, for the second week in a row, he was named AL Player of the Week after batting .364 with nine runs scored, three doubles, a triple, three home runs, 11 RBI, and a .788 slugging percentage in eight games.
Springer suffered a left ankle sprain on August 14 and was placed on the injured list for a third time in 2021. He returned from his third stint on the injured list on August 30.