Jonathan Villar
A dynamic and disruptive switch-hitter who became the first Milwaukee Brewer in over a decade to lead the majors in stolen bases.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Dominican baseball player·Birthday: May 2·Millennials
Biography
Jonathan Villar's MLB journey is a testament to adaptability and explosive speed. The Dominican infielder broke in with the Houston Astros but found his stride with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he transformed into a premier base-stealing threat. In 2016, his first full season, Villar's aggressive style electrified the game; he swiped 62 bags, topping the major leagues and injecting a classic element of chaos into the Brewers' lineup. His versatility saw him shift from shortstop to second base and later to a utility role, a flexibility that extended his career across nine different teams. While consistency at the plate sometimes eluded him, his peaks were remarkable, including a 2019 season where he hit 24 home runs and stole 40 bases for the Baltimore Orioles, joining an exclusive power-speed club. Villar's career embodies the modern journeyman, valued for a specific, game-changing skill set that keeps him in the mix.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jonathan was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jonathan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Jonathan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led all of Major League Baseball with 62 stolen bases in 2016 while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Recorded a 40-home run and 40-stolen base season in 2019, achieving it with 24 HR and 40 SB for the Baltimore Orioles.
- Played for nine different MLB teams, showcasing valued versatility as an infielder and occasional outfielder.
Did You Know?
He was originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent in 2008.
In 2016, he became the first Brewer to lead the majors in steals since Scott Podsednik in 2004.
He is a switch-hitter but has historically had significantly better batting statistics when hitting left-handed.
“If you get on base, you have a chance to make something happen.”
