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Andrew Vaughn

Andrew Vaughn (born April 3, 1998) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Vaughn was born in Santa Rosa, California, and attended Maria Carrillo High School, where he posted a .380 career batting average with 29 doubles. He then starred at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) from 2017 to 2019, compiling a college career slash line of .374/.495/.688 with 50 home runs—second all-time in program history—and earning numerous accolades, including the 2018 Golden Spikes Award as the nation's top amateur player, Pac-12 Player of the Year, and a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. In 2019, as a junior, he hit .402 with 23 home runs, tying a Cal single-season record, and was named a Golden Spikes Award finalist. Selected third overall by the in the 2019 MLB Draft, Vaughn signed for a $7.49 million bonus and quickly progressed through the minors, hitting .314 with 13 home runs in 2019 across and Double-A. He made his MLB debut on , 2021, and spent his first four-plus seasons with the White Sox, appearing in 614 games with a .253 , 71 home runs, and 273 RBIs while earning the 2024 MLBPAA Heart & Hustle Award for his dedication. On June 13, 2025, Vaughn was traded to the Brewers in exchange for pitcher amid Chicago's rebuilding efforts. Since joining Milwaukee, Vaughn has revitalized his career, posting a .308 with 9 home runs and 46 RBIs in 64 games during the 2025 regular season, including a .364 over his final 15 games. His improved approach—featuring lower (13.7%) and higher walk (9.9%) rates—has made him one of the League's hottest hitters post-trade, placing him in the top 10 for MVP discussions by August 2025. In the postseason, he contributed .286 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs during the 2025 NLDS, but went hitless in the NLCS as the Brewers were swept 4–0 by the , finishing with a .194 , 2 home runs, and 5 RBIs over 9 games. Standing at 5'10" and 215 pounds, Vaughn bats and throws right-handed, primarily playing first base but also seeing time in .

Early life

Family background

Andrew Vaughn was born on April 3, 1998, in . He grew up in a close-knit family as the son of Diana Vaughn and Toby Vaughn, the latter of whom worked as a water systems operator in the Windsor water department. Vaughn has one sibling, a sister named Madison Vaughn. Vaughn's family significantly influenced his early interest in sports, with a particular emphasis on . His father, Toby, who had played at , made it a daily routine to practice with Andrew upon returning home from work, often greeted by his son holding a and . This consistent involvement helped instill discipline and passion for the game in Vaughn from a young age.

Youth and introduction to baseball

Andrew Vaughn grew up in , where baseball emerged as a daily family activity from his earliest years, shaping his initial passion for the sport. Born on April 3, 1998, he was introduced to organized play through local venues like the Mark West Little League fields, where he began in T-ball as a young child. His family's encouragement played a pivotal role, with Vaughn displaying natural talent early on; at age six, during a coach-pitch game, he hit home runs batting both right- and left-handed, cheered on by his parents who emphasized enjoyment over pressure. Vaughn's father, Toby—a former Sonoma State baseball player and local water department employee—was instrumental in nurturing this interest, often greeting his son at the door after long workdays for immediate practice sessions. Starting when Vaughn was four or five years old, Toby would head straight to the backyard upon arriving home around 5:30 p.m., flipping underhand soft toss for hitting practice every single day, regardless of fatigue. These routines extended to marathon whiffle ball games in the yard, turning into an inseparable part of their bond and daily routine. Known even as a child as a dedicated "baseball rat," Vaughn spent countless hours honing his skills, often taking ground balls and hitting in local fields or cages during breaks from youth tournaments while peers relaxed. This relentless, self-driven immersion, fueled by familial support, fostered a deep-seated passion that propelled him toward more formal involvement in high school.

Amateur career

High school career

Andrew Vaughn attended Maria Carrillo High School in , where he competed on the varsity baseball team for four years. Vaughn distinguished himself as a , excelling as both a and a hitter. On the mound, he posted a career record of 17-6 with a 2.05 and 166 strikeouts across his high school tenure. As a batter, Vaughn achieved a .380 career average over 110 games, accumulating 126 hits, 76 runs batted in, and 76 runs scored, along with 29 doubles, three triples, and one . His junior season stood out particularly, as he hit .440 with 33 hits and 16 RBIs. Vaughn's consistent production earned him widespread recognition as a premier prospect. He was named North Bay League Freshman of the Year in 2013, Sophomore of the Year in 2014, and Junior of the Year in 2015; in 2016, he received Maria Carrillo honors, Puma Athletic Boosters Male Athlete of the Year, first-team all-state selections from MaxPreps and CalHiSports.com, all-North Coast Section honors, North Bay Player of the Year, and Redwood Empire Player of the Year. These accomplishments solidified his recruitment by the .

College career

Vaughn enrolled at the , where he played first base for the from 2017 to 2019. As a freshman in 2017, he posted a .349 with a .414 and .555 , including 12 home runs and 50 RBIs over 54 games, earning him Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors and first-team Freshman All-American recognition from multiple outlets such as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Baseball America. In his sophomore season of 2018, Vaughn elevated his performance to a .402 , .531 , and .819 , with 23 s and 63 RBIs in 54 games, tying the Cal single-season record. This outstanding year led to him winning the as the top amateur player in the nation, making him the only Division I underclassman to receive the honor this century; he also claimed Pac-12 Player of the Year, consensus first-team All-American status, and was named National Player of the Year by Perfect Game. A highlight was his 5-for-5 performance with two s against San Diego on February 17, 2018, setting a career high for hits in a game. As a junior in 2019, Vaughn batted .374 with a .539 and .704 , recording 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 52 games, which ranked third nationally in . He was a finalist for both the and the , earned first-team honors from Baseball America, D1Baseball.com, and the NCBWA, and was selected as first-team All-Pac-12. Over his three-year career at , Vaughn compiled a .374 with 223 hits, 50 home runs (tied for second in school history), and 163 RBIs in 160 games.

International play

Vaughn began his international baseball career at the youth level, representing the United States as a member of the 2013 USA Baseball 15U National Team, which captured the gold medal at the COPABE Pan Am "AA" Championships in Barranquilla, Colombia. As a college freshman, Vaughn earned a spot on the 2017 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, contributing to series victories over Chinese Taipei, Cuba, and Japan. In the series against Japan, he batted .333 with two doubles and two RBIs, including the go-ahead run in a key game, and was named the series MVP. Returning for the 2018 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, Vaughn started 13 games, primarily at first base, and hit .224 with four doubles, one home run, and four RBIs across international matchups against Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Cuba. His performance included multi-hit games against both Chinese Taipei and Japan, helping secure additional series wins for Team USA. Following his junior season at California, Vaughn joined the 2019 USA Baseball roster for the WBSC Premier12 Tournament in Mexico and Japan, where he appeared in all eight games as a designated hitter and first baseman. Batting .321 with nine hits—including a double—and reaching base in every contest, Vaughn ranked second on the team in hits; notable contributions included a 3-for-4 effort against South Korea and a pinch-hit double versus the Netherlands. Team USA earned the bronze medal after defeating Mexico in the consolation final, with Vaughn going 1-for-4 and scoring a run in that game. Across his amateur international appearances with , Vaughn compiled a strong track record of consistent hitting and clutch production, aiding multiple medal-winning efforts and series triumphs for the national team.

Professional career

Vaughn was selected by the with the third overall pick in the out of the . He signed with the team on June 28, 2019, for a $7,221,200 bonus, which was slightly below the slot value for his draft position. Following the signing, Vaughn made his professional debut with the rookie-level Arizona League White Sox, appearing in three games before earning promotions within the organization. In 2019, Vaughn progressed quickly through the White Sox's system, playing across three levels in 55 games. He began at rookie ball with the Arizona League White Sox, then moved to Kannapolis Intimidators for 23 games, and finished the season at in 29 games. Across these affiliates, he posted a .278 with six home runs and 36 RBIs, while maintaining a .384 and .449 , demonstrating solid plate discipline and power potential early in his professional career. His rapid ascent from rookie to in his first season underscored the White Sox's high expectations for the college standout, whose draft stock had been elevated by accolades like the 2019 . The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the , limiting Vaughn's on-field opportunities. Instead, he was assigned to the White Sox's alternate training site in , on July 17, where he spent the summer honing his skills against major and minor leaguers in intrasquad scrimmages and simulated games. This period of development at the alternate site allowed Vaughn to adapt to professional pitching without formal games, contributing to his continued rise as a top prospect. During this early professional phase, Vaughn established himself as a highly regarded hitting . Prior to the 2020 season, he ranked as the No. 30 prospect in Baseball America's rankings and No. 16 according to MLB Pipeline. Entering 2021, his evaluations improved further, placing him at No. 21 on Baseball America's list and No. 14 in MLB Pipeline rankings.

Chicago White Sox

Andrew Vaughn made his debut on April 2, 2021, at the age of 22, starting at for the in a game against the at . Following a strong performance in and play that spring, he earned a spot on the roster as the team's primary . In his rookie season of 2021, Vaughn appeared in 127 games, primarily at , and posted a with 15 and 48 while scoring 56 runs. He recorded his first major league hit on April 6, 2021, a double to right-center field off Seattle Mariners pitcher . Vaughn hit his first career on May 13, 2021, a 436-foot two-run shot to center field off starter during a five-run seventh that helped secure a White Sox victory. As a regular in the lineup, he contributed to Chicago's AL Central-winning team, batting .400 with one in two games during the ALDS against the Houston Astros. From 2022 to , Vaughn solidified his role as an everyday player for the White Sox, appearing in 435 games across first base and the outfield, where he showcased positional versatility by logging significant time in left field during 2022. Over these seasons, he batted .257 with 57 home runs and 226 RBIs, establishing himself as a reliable middle-of-the-order power hitter despite the team's overall struggles. In 2022, he achieved a career-high .271 in 134 games, including 17 home runs and 76 RBIs, while adapting to outfield duties amid roster adjustments. The following year, 2023, saw him play a team-high 152 games with a .258 average, 21 home runs, and 80 RBIs, often batting cleanup as the White Sox's offensive anchor. Vaughn's campaign included 149 games at .246 with 19 home runs and 70 RBIs, leading the team in several categories like hits (140) and doubles (30) while earning the MLBPAA Heart & Hustle Award for his dedication and continuing to handle first base duties. Vaughn's 2025 season with the White Sox was marked by early struggles, as he batted .189 with 5 home runs and 19 RBIs in 48 games through mid-June, prompting a to Triple-A on May 23, 2025, where he played 15 games. He started the year as the designated but saw reduced playing time amid a team-worst .189 average and defensive shifts in the lineup. On June 13, 2025, the White Sox traded Vaughn to the Brewers in exchange for right-handed pitcher and cash considerations, ending his tenure in after 610 major league games.

Milwaukee Brewers

On June 13, 2025, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Andrew Vaughn from the in exchange for right-handed pitcher . Following the trade, Vaughn was optioned to the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate, the , where he quickly adapted, hitting a in his first at-bat on June 18. He was recalled to the major leagues on July 7 and installed as the primary , providing a steady bat in the middle of the lineup. In 64 games with the Brewers during the 2025 season, Vaughn posted a .308 with 68 hits, 9 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 26 runs scored, marking a significant uptick in production and earning praise for revitalizing his career after early-season struggles. His .869 percentage over that span represented career highs, with improved plate discipline evidenced by a 13.7% rate and 9.9% walk rate—both better than his prior marks. Vaughn contributed key hits in divisional matchups, including two home runs in 14 at-bats against the Chicago Cubs during the Brewers' late-season push for the NL Central title. Across the full 2025 season with both teams, Vaughn appeared in 112 games, recording 447 at-bats, 14 doubles, 35 runs, 14 home runs, and 65 RBIs while batting .254 with a .719 . Analysts highlighted his post-trade adjustment as a turning point, crediting mechanical tweaks to his swing and a fresh environment for sparking a resurgence that helped stabilize Milwaukee's first-base production. In the 2025 NLDS, he batted .286 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Looking ahead, Vaughn is projected to earn $7.8 million in his final year for the 2026 season, reflecting his late-2025 performance and positioning him as a cornerstone for the Brewers' lineup.

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