Washington Nationals Goodwin was drafted by the
Chicago White Sox in the 17th round of the
2009 Major League Baseball draft out of
Rocky Mount High School in
Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He did not sign and attended the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was then drafted by the
Washington Nationals in the first round of the
2011 Major League Baseball draft. Goodwin joined the
Auburn Doubledays along with other draft picks for the 2011 season, but was not added to the active roster. Prior to the 2012 season,
Baseball America ranked Goodwin as the Nationals fifth best prospect. Goodwin made his debut that year for the Single-A
Hagerstown Suns. He was promoted to Double-A
Harrisburg Senators after hitting .324/.438/.542 with nine
home runs and 38
runs batted in. At Harrisburg he hit .223/.306/.373 with five home runs. After the season, he played in the
Arizona Fall League and was the MVP of the Rising Stars Game. Prior to the 2013 season, Goodwin was ranked as the Nationals third best prospect by
Baseball America. He was also ranked as the 52nd best prospect in baseball by
MLB.com. He was called up to the Nationals in August 2016 after hitting .284 in the minor leagues. On August 10, 2016, Goodwin connected for his first major league hit, a single, against the
Cleveland Indians. After starting the
2017 season with the Triple-A
Syracuse Chiefs, Goodwin was promoted to the majors in May, taking the place of injured outfielder
Chris Heisey. Goodwin hit his first major league home run on June 2, 2017, at the
Oakland Coliseum, connecting for a two-run shot to right-center off
Oakland Athletics relief pitcher
Zach Neal, amid a four-hit outburst that marked his best day at the plate in his major league career to that point. On July 27, 2017, Goodwin touched off back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs for the Nationals against
Michael Blazek of the
Milwaukee Brewers, hitting a two-run shot that scored pitcher
Max Scherzer from first base to begin the onslaught. It was the first time the feat had been accomplished in Major League Baseball since the
2011 season.
Kansas City Royals On July 22, 2018, the Nationals traded Goodwin to the
Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league pitcher Jacob Condra-Bogan. In 27 appearances for Kansas City, he batted .266/.317/.415 with three home runs and 13 RBI. Goodwin was released by the Royals on March 25, 2019.
Los Angeles Angels On March 27, 2019, Goodwin was claimed off release waivers by the
Los Angeles Angels. In 2019 with the Angels, Goodwin appeared in 136 contests, hitting .262/.346/.470 with 17 home runs and 47 RBI, both career highs. In 2020, Goodwin was the Opening Day starting
right fielder for the Angels, and got a hit and an RBI in 3 at-bats.
Cincinnati Reds On August 31, 2020, Goodwin was traded to the
Cincinnati Reds for
Packy Naughton and Jose Salvador. On September 1, he made his debut for the Reds, going 1-for-3 with a double. On December 2, Goodwin was non-tendered by the Reds.
Chicago White Sox On February 11, 2021, Goodwin signed a minor league contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates that included an invitation to spring training. On May 3, Goodwin was released by the Pirates without making an appearance for the organization. On May 4, 2021, Goodwin signed a minor league contract with the
Chicago White Sox. On June 10, Goodwin was selected to the active roster. On June 12, he made his White Sox debut and notched a three-run homer with five RBI in the game. He became the 38th player in White Sox history to hit a home run in his White Sox debut. On August 1, Goodwin hit his first career walk-off hit with a home run off of
Nick Wittgren of the
Cleveland Indians to win the game 2–1. He finished the season batting .221/.319/.374 with 8 home runs and 29 RBI in 72 games. On November 5, Goodwin was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.
Leones de Yucatán On May 4, 2022, Goodwin signed with the
Leones de Yucatán of the
Mexican League. In 32 games, he batted .239/.350/.436 with six home runs and 19 RBI. Goodwin was released by the Leones on June 14.
Wei Chuan Dragons On August 18, 2022, Goodwin signed with the
Wei Chuan Dragons of the
Chinese Professional Baseball League. In 26 contests for the Dragons, he batted .245/.265/.306 with 11 RBI and one stolen base. Goodwin became a free agent following the season.
Long Island Ducks On May 23, 2023, Goodwin signed with the
Long Island Ducks of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 59 games, he slashed .277/.385/.514 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI. Goodwin became a free agent following the season. ==References==