Jonathan Villar

[Michael Trzinski]

Jonathan Villar holds a special place in Milwaukee Brewers lore as one of only two Brewers to lead the major leagues in stolen bases. In 2004, Scott Podsednik stole 70 bases to pace both leagues and 12 years later, Villar pilfered 62 bags to lead the major leagues in 2016. Despite playing in only 365 games as a Brewer, Villar ranks 15th on the career steals list for Milwaukee with 99 stolen bases. 

Jonathan Rafael Villar was signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2008 by the Philadelphia Phillies. The switch-hitting infielder stole 82 bases over three seasons at the lower levels of the minors for the Phillies when he was traded with two other players to the Houston Astros for pitcher Roy Oswalt. Villar moved his way steadily through the Astros chain and made his big league debut with Houston in 2013, collecting four hits in eight ABs in his first two games. In his first three years he split time between Triple-A and Houston before being traded to Milwaukee for pitcher Cy Sneed after the 2015 campaign.

Villar made an immediate impact with the Brewers in 2016, setting career highs with 38 doubles, 62 steals, 79 walks, an .826 OPS, and a 117 OPS+. Villar began the season at shortstop but moved to third base when top prospect Orlando Arcia was called up. The following season, Villar moved again, this time to second base when the Brewers acquired 3B Travis Shaw. In early June, Villar was only hitting .213/.283/.342 when he injured his back while diving for a grounder. He came back a couple weeks later and played mostly at second, but also played six games in center field. He finished the season with a batting line of . 241/.293/.372.

Villar played at second base in 2018 before being traded with two others to the Baltimore Orioles for infielder Jonathan Schoop just before the July trade deadline. Villar bounced around the majors the final five years of his career, playing for Baltimore, Miami, Toronto, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and the Los Angeles Angels. From 2023-2025, Villar played in the Mexican League. 

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