| David Bote | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: (1993-04-07)April 7, 1993 (age 31) Longmont, Colorado, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 21, 2018, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Batting average | .234 |
| Home runs | 36 |
| Runs batted in | 156 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
David C. Bote (/ˈboʊtiː/BOH-tee, born April 7, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballinfielder in theLos Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago Cubs.
Bote attendedErie High School inErie, Colorado, as a freshman and later transferred to Faith Christian Academy inArvada, Colorado.[1] As a senior in 2011, Bote led Faith Christian to the 3A Colorado state title in baseball. Bote enrolled atLiberty University to playcollege baseball as awalk-on, but after a semester, transferred toNeosho County Community College in Kansas.[1][2] During his lone collegiate season, he hit .419.[3]
TheChicago Cubs selected Bote in the 18th round, with the 554th overall selection, of the2012 Major League Baseball draft.[4] After Bote signed with the Cubs for $100,000 plus college tuition, he was assigned to theArizona League Cubs where he batted .232 with one home run, 14 RBIs and seven doubles in 38 games.[5] He spent 2013 with theDaytona Cubs,Kane County Cougars, andBoise Hawks, posting a combined .227 batting average with seven home runs and 38 RBIs in 90 total games between the three teams, and 2014 with Kane County, Boise, and theIowa Cubs, compiling a combined .235 batting average with four home runs and 40 RBIs in 99 games. In 2015, he played for theSouth Bend Cubs where he slashed .251/.328/384 with six home runs and 41 RBIs, and in 2016, he spent time with Iowa, theTennessee Smokies, and theMyrtle Beach Pelicans, batting a combined .328 with seven home runs and 45 RBIs with an .892 OPS.
In 2017, Bote played for theTennessee Smokies where he was named aSouthern League All-Star.[2] After the season, he played in theArizona Fall League and was selected to play in the Fall Stars Game.[6][7] The Cubs added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[8] In the minor leagues, Bote had played at every position exceptcatcher.[2]
Bote made his major league debut on April 21, 2018, taking the place ofBen Zobrist who was placed on thedisabled list.[9] Bote filled in for a week at third for an injuredKris Bryant. He had 19 at bats with five hits, five RBIs, one stolen base and a batting average of .263 before being sent back to theIowa Cubs. On July 26, 2018, Bote hit a game-tying, two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning againstArizona Diamondbacks pitcherBrad Boxberger, which was immediately followed by a walk-off solo home run by teammateAnthony Rizzo.[10] On August 12, 2018, Bote hit a pinch hit, two-out, two-strike walk-off grand slam offWashington Nationals pitcherRyan Madson to give his team a one-run victory, which had not been done sinceRoger Freed in 1979, giving the Cubs a 4–3 victory and a two-out-of-three series win,[11] marking the second time inMajor League Baseball history that a player hit a walk-off grand slam to win by a score of 4–3.[12] On August 24, 2018, Bote hit his 2nd career walk-off home run offCincinnati Reds pitcherRaisel Iglesias.[13] The Cubs won that game 3–2.
On April 3, 2019, Bote signed a five-year, $15 million extension with the Cubs.[14] He recorded his third walk-off hit, a single off ofArizona Diamondbacks pitcherArchie Bradley on April 21, 2019.[15] On June 5, Bote had a four-hit, seven RBI game in a 9–8 win against theColorado Rockies.[16] He finished the 2019 season slashing .257/.362/.422 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs over 127 games.[17]
In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Bote slashed .200/.303/.408 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs in 45 games. In 2021, Bote limped to a .199/.276/.330 batting line with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 97 games. In November 2021, following the season, Bote underwent left shoulder surgery, with an expected recovery time of six months.[18][19]
Bote began the 2022 season on the 60-day injured list as he recovered from shoulder surgery, and was activated on June 24.[20] The Cubs optioned Bote to Iowa on August 4.[21] In 41 games for the Cubs in 2022, he batted .259/.315/.431 with four home runs and 12 RBI. On November 10, Bote was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Iowa.[22] Bote spent the entirety of 2023 with Iowa, playing in 99 games and hitting .258/.361/.456 with 14 home runs, 61 RBI, and 7 stolen bases.[23]
Bote began the 2024 season with Triple–A Iowa, hitting .259/.342/.546 with seven home runs and 15 RBI across 28 games. On June 2, 2024, the Cubs selected Bote's contract, adding him to their active roster.[24] In 37 games for Chicago, he slashed .304/.333/.391 with six RBI. Bote was designated for assignment by the Cubs on August 23.[25] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Iowa on August 25.[26] Bote elected free agency following the season on November 4.[27]
On December 14, 2024, Bote signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers.[28]
Bote is married to Rachel Bote, his high school sweetheart.[29] The married couple have three children.[30] Bote is aborn againChristian. Bote initially wanted to become a pastor after high school.[29] He grew up a Colorado Rockies fan.[31]