David Bote

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = David Bote

|image =

|team = Los Angeles Dodgers

|number =

|position = Infielder

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|4|7}}

|birth_place = Longmont, Colorado, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 21

|debutyear = 2018

|debutteam = Chicago Cubs

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .234

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 36

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 156

|teams =

Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2022}}, {{mlby|2024}})

|awards =

}}

David C. Bote ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|oʊ|t|iː}} {{respell|BOH|tee}}, born April 7, 1993) is an American professional baseball infielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs.

Amateur career

Bote attended Erie High School in Erie, Colorado, as a freshman and later transferred to Faith Christian Academy in Arvada, Colorado.{{cite web | url=http://www.bocopreps.com/ci_20796561/lindenstein-former-erie-standout-david-bote-drafted-by | title=Former Erie standout David Bote drafted by Cubs | publisher=Digital First Media | date=June 6, 2012 | access-date=August 13, 2018 | author=Lindenstein, Joshua}} As a senior in 2011, Bote led Faith Christian to the 3A Colorado state title in baseball. Bote enrolled at Liberty University to play college baseball as a walk-on, but after a semester, transferred to Neosho County Community College in Kansas.{{cite web | url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/local/2017/06/16/smokies-david-bote-takes-winding-route-being-all-star/398441001/ | title=Smokies' David Bote takes winding route to being All-Star | publisher=Knoxville News Sentinel | date=June 16, 2017 | access-date=August 13, 2018 | author=Fleser, Dan}} During his lone collegiate season, he hit .419.{{cite web | url=https://goneosho.com/news/2012/6/7/BB_0607124207.aspx |title = Three Panthers selected in Major League Baseball Draft| date=June 7, 2012 }}

Professional career

=Chicago Cubs=

The Chicago Cubs selected Bote in the 18th round, with the 554th overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite news | url=https://theathletic.com/470976/2018/08/13/rosenthal-how-david-bote-the-554th-pick-of-the-2012-draft-worked-and-willed-his-way-to-the-cubs/ | title=Rosenthal: How David Bote, the 554th pick of the 2012 draft, worked and willed his way to the Cubs | work=The New York Times | last1=Rosenthal | first1=Ken }} After Bote signed with the Cubs for $100,000 plus college tuition, he was assigned to the Arizona League Cubs where he batted .232 with one home run, 14 RBIs and seven doubles in 38 games.{{cite web | url=http://www.coloradohometownweekly.com/ci_20973022/bote-signs-cubs | title=Bote signs with Cubs | publisher=Digital First Media | date=June 29, 2012 | access-date=August 13, 2018 | author=Lindenstein, Joshua}} He spent 2013 with the Daytona Cubs, Kane County Cougars, and Boise 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 the Iowa Cubs, compiling a combined .235 batting average with four home runs and 40 RBIs in 99 games. In 2015, he played for the South Bend Cubs where he slashed .251/.328/384 with six home runs and 41 RBIs, and in 2016, he spent time with Iowa, the Tennessee Smokies, and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, batting a combined .328 with seven home runs and 45 RBIs with an .892 OPS.

In 2017, Bote played for the Tennessee Smokies where he was named a Southern League All-Star. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League and was selected to play in the Fall Stars Game.{{cite web | url=http://legacy.baseballamerica.com/minors/david-bote-finding-power-stroke-afl/#M8CysybbqSqSJ2xL.97 | title=David Bote Finding Power Stroke In The AFL | date=October 23, 2017 | access-date=August 13, 2018 | author=Mitchell, Bill}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-adbert-alzolay-20171030-story.html|title=Prospects Adbert Alzolay, Jake Stinnett, David Bote named to Arizona Fall League's Stars Game|first=Mark|last=Gonzales|website=Chicago Tribune}} The Cubs added him to their 40-man roster after the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-roster-20171120-story.html|title=Cubs add pitching prospects Adbert Alzolay, Oscar De La Cruz to 40-man roster|first=Mark|last=Gonzales|website=Chicago Tribune}} In the minor leagues, Bote had played at every position except catcher.

Bote made his major league debut on April 21, 2018, taking the place of Ben Zobrist who was placed on the disabled list.{{cite web | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-david-bote-20180421-story.html | title=Cubs' David Bote treasures major league debut with family, teammates | publisher=Chicago Tribune | date=April 22, 2018 | access-date=August 13, 2018 | author=Gonzales, Mark}} Bote filled in for a week at third for an injured Kris 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 the Iowa Cubs. On July 26, 2018, Bote hit a game-tying, two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brad Boxberger, which was immediately followed by a walk-off solo home run by teammate Anthony Rizzo.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-diamondbacks-20180726-story.html|title=Anthony Rizzo's walk-off homer after David Bote's 2-run blast gives Cubs 7-6 victory|first=Mark|last=Gonzales|website=Chicago Tribune}} On August 12, 2018, Bote hit a pinch hit, two-out, two-strike walk-off grand slam off Washington Nationals pitcher Ryan Madson to give his team a one-run victory, which had not been done since Roger Freed in 1979, giving the Cubs a 4–3 victory and a two-out-of-three series win,{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-nationals-20180812-story.html|title=David Bote's walk-off grand slam stuns Nationals, sends Cubs to wild 4-3 victory|first=Teddy|last=Greenstein|website=Chicago Tribune}} marking the second time in Major League Baseball history that a player hit a walk-off grand slam to win by a score of 4–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/tht/ultimate-slam-game-over/|title=Ultimate slam: game over - The Hardball Times|website=www.fangraphs.com|date=September 11, 2013 }} On August 24, 2018, Bote hit his 2nd career walk-off home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Raisel Iglesias.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-reds-20180824-story.html|title=David Bote does it again: Walk-off home run gives the Cubs a 10th-inning win over the Reds|first=Phil|last=Rogers|website=Chicago Tribune}} The Cubs won that game 3–2.

On April 3, 2019, Bote signed a five-year, $15 million extension with the Cubs.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/david-bote-5-year-contract-extension |title=David Bote 5-year contract extension |work=Mlb.com |date= |accessdate=August 2, 2021}} He recorded his third walk-off hit, a single off of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley on April 21, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-david-bote-walk-off-wife-20190421-story.html|title=David Bote delivered another walk-off hit for the Cubs. Then he rushed to O'Hare for a flight to Colorado, where his wife is about to give birth.|first=Paul|last=Sullivan|website=chicagotribune.com|date=April 21, 2019 }} On June 5, Bote had a four-hit, seven RBI game in a 9–8 win against the Colorado Rockies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-rockies-20190605-story.html|title=David Bote's 7 RBIs vault the Cubs to a 9-8 win over the Rockies, extending their win streak to 3 games|first=Mark|last=Gonzales|website=chicagotribune.com|date=June 6, 2019 }} He finished the 2019 season slashing .257/.362/.422 with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs over 127 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-2020-roster-outlook-willson-contreras-health-critical-teams-success |title=Cubs 2020 roster outlook: Willson Contreras' health is critical to team's success | RSN |publisher=Nbcsports.com |date=March 19, 2020 |accessdate=August 2, 2021}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cubsinsider.com/2021/11/09/david-bote-recently-underwent-left-shoulder-surgery-recovery-timetable-unknown/|title = David Bote Recently Underwent Left Shoulder Surgery, Recovery Timetable Unknown|date = November 10, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://cubbiescrib.com/2021/11/10/chicago-cubs-david-bote-spring-jeopardy-shoulder-surgery/|title = Chicago Cubs: David Bote's spring could be in jeopardy after surgery|date = November 10, 2021}}

Bote began the 2022 season on the 60-day injured list as he recovered from shoulder surgery, and was activated on June 24.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-cubs-activate-david-bote-designate-jonathan-villar-for-assignment | title=Cubs activate INF David Bote from 60-day IL; INF Jonathan Villar designated for assignment | website=MLB.com }} The Cubs optioned Bote to Iowa on August 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-david-bote-carter-hawkins-20220805-at32z3efdzbebjvcr2qb5ynwku-story.html|title=With an infield logjam and an eye on future, the Chicago Cubs option David Bote to Iowa and aim to prioritize younger players|first=Meghan|last=Montemurro|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 4, 2022|accessdate=August 10, 2022}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Cubs Outright Seven Players|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/cubs-outright-seven-players.html|access-date=July 1, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 10, 2022 |language=en}} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2023/06/28/david-bote-grand-slam-washington-nationals-iowa-cubs-minor-league-baseball-chicago-cubs/70357214007/ | title=The Des Moines Register Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts | website=The Des Moines Register }}

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.{{Cite web|title=Cubs Select David Bote, Option Nick Madrigal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/cubs-select-david-bote.html|access-date=June 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 2, 2024 |language=en}} In 37 games for Chicago, he slashed .304/.333/.391 with six RBI. Bote was designated for assignment by the Cubs on August 23.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=2024-08-23 |title=Cubs Claim Gavin Hollowell, Designate David Bote |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/cubs-claim-gavin-hollowell-designate-david-bote.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Iowa on August 25.{{Cite web |last=Morgenstern |first=Leo |date=2024-08-25 |title=Cubs Outright David Bote |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/cubs-outright-david-bote.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Bote elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On December 14, 2024, Bote signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=2024-12-14 |title=Dodgers Sign David Bote To Minors Contract |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/dodgers-sign-david-bote-to-minors-contract.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

Personal life

Bote is married to Rachel Bote, his high school sweetheart.{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Malika |title=David Bote believes his winding road to the Cubs was a product of his faith. Without it, he would have quit long ago. |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/10/02/david-bote-believes-his-winding-road-to-the-cubs-was-a-product-of-his-faith-without-it-he-would-have-quit-long-ago/ |website=Chicago Tribune |date=October 2, 2018 |access-date=September 9, 2024}} The married couple have three children.{{cite web |last1=Yellon |first1=Al |title=Cubs roster move: David Bote returns from paternity list, Alec Mills to Iowa |website=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/cubs-roster-move-david-bote-returns-from-paternity-list-alec-mills-to-iowa/ar-BBWg3oZ |access-date=May 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506054817/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/cubs-roster-move-david-bote-returns-from-paternity-list-alec-mills-to-iowa/ar-BBWg3oZ |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |url-status=dead }} Bote is a born again Christian. Bote initially wanted to become a pastor after high school. He grew up a Colorado Rockies fan.{{Cite web |last=Musick |first=Tom |date=June 10, 2019 |title=Cubs infielder David Bote takes things one day at a time |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2019/6/9/18659143/cubs-david-bote-one-day-at-a-time |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}