Steven Souza Jr.’s Syracuse Chiefs Wall of Fame plaque. Souza Jr. played in 91 games with the Chiefs, ending his stint with 23 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 49 walks and 24 stolen bases. He was inducted on Aug. 10, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Steven Souza Sr.)

Steven Souza Jr.’s Syracuse Chiefs Wall of Fame plaque. Souza Jr. played in 91 games with the Chiefs, ending his stint with 23 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 49 walks and 24 stolen bases. He was inducted on Aug. 10, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Steven Souza Sr.)

Cascade’s Steven Souza Jr. joins the Syracuse Chiefs’ Wall of Fame

The Everett native was inducted for his contributions to the former Washington Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate team.

On Aug. 10, Steven Souza Jr., a Cascade High School alumnus, had his plaque hung on the Syracuse Chiefs’ Wall of Fame to recognize his performance with the former Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The New York Mets purchased the Chiefs in 2017, and it has since been rebranded as the Syracuse Mets.

Souza Jr.’s plaque lists several accomplishments:

— 2014 International League Most Valuable Player and 2014 International League Rookie of the Year

— Put together one of the most impressive seasons in franchise history while leading the team to the 2014 International League North Division title

— Set the single-season franchise record with a .350 batting average while ranking top five with .432 on-base and .590 slugging percentages

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

— 2014 International League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star.

— 2014 International League batting champion while leading the league in both on-base and slugging percentages.

— Sixth Syracuse player to win International League Most Valuable Player honors and the first since Chad Mottola in 2000.

According to a press release, Souza Jr. is the seventh International League Rookie of the Year in Chiefs history and the first since Shawn Green in 1994. He also is the first All-Star outfielder for Syracuse since Corey Brown in 2012 and the first Chiefs player to ever win both MVP and Rookie of the Year the same season. Souza Jr. played in 91 games with the Chiefs, ending his stint with 23 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 49 walks and 24 stolen bases.

Steven Souza Jr. stands under a sign that reads, “Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame Day Aug. 10, 2024.” Souza Jr. played in 91 games with the Chiefs, ending his stint with 23 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 49 walks and 24 stolen bases. He was inducted on Aug. 10, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Steven Souza Sr.)

Steven Souza Jr. stands under a sign that reads, “Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame Day Aug. 10, 2024.” Souza Jr. played in 91 games with the Chiefs, ending his stint with 23 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 49 walks and 24 stolen bases. He was inducted on Aug. 10, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Steven Souza Sr.)

The Washington Nationals selected Souza Jr. in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft as the 100th overall pick, making Everett history as one of two players all-time from Cascade to make the MLB; Grady Sizemore was the first.

Souza Jr. spent more than a dozen years in the professional baseball scene, serving as a designated hitter, first baseman, shortstop, third baseman and left, right and center outfielder. He made his MLB debut for the Washington Nationals in 2014 and spent the next years with the Tampa Bay Rays (2015-17), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018-19), Chicago Cubs (2020) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2021). In 2022, the year of his retirement, he came back to his home state where his baseball-career aspirations were ignited and finished with the Seattle Mariners.

Souza Jr. was also named The Herald’s Sports Man of the Year in 2018 after becoming the third Snohomish County player to hit 30 home runs in an MLB season; he accomplished the feat in 2017 when he played for the Rays.

His entire professional baseball career includes 1,669 at-bats, 223 runs, 383 hits, 72 home runs, 207 RBI and 42 stolen bases.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hops go-ahead homer spoils AquaSox home opener

Ben McLaughlin hits a go-ahead three-run homer to cap a five-run seventh in Hillsboro’s 7-6 win.

Jackson’s Allie Thomsen puts her arms up in celebration as she runs into home to score during the 4A district championship against Kamiak on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep roundup for Tuesday, April 8

Jackson softball splits doubleheader, Marysville Getchell softball wins big

Kamiak’s Colby Koga reaches to catch a throw as Monroe’s Joe Enrico dives back to second base during the game on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep baseball roundup for Tuesday, April 8

Late run, solid pitching pushes Kamiak to 9-2 start.

Everett Silvertips goalie Raiden LeGall secures the puck during Everett's 1-0 double overtime win against the Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 6 of the WHL Playoffs First Round at accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington on April 7, 2025. LeGall made 57 saves to shut out the Thunderbirds and help Everett advance to the second round with a 4-2 series win. (Photo Courtesy: Dexter Guiang / Come as You Are Hockey)
LeGall, Kaplan win series for Tips in Game 6 against Seattle

Kaplan scores the winning goal in double overtime and LeGall makes 57 saves in 1-0 win.

Prep baseball roundup for Monday, April 7

Nate Smith’s eighth-inning single walks off a 2-1 Everett win.

Prep roundup for Monday, April 7

Jackson boys soccer tops Snohomish.

Florida players celebrate after winning the NCAA Basketball National Championship Game of Florida vs. Houston at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Monday, April 7, 2025. Florida won the game 65-63. (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel / Tribune News Services)
Florida captures third NCAA men’s basketball title

The thing about basketball - the thing about sports, really - is… Continue reading

(Yong Kim / Tribune News Services)
Could Alex Ovechkin’s historic season also be his last?

The glow from the 895th goal still hovers over hockey, and Alex… Continue reading

Everett Silvertips forward Nolan Chastko (19) skates towards a loose puck in the neutral zone while being pursued by Seattle Thunderbirds forward Nathan Pilling during Everett's 7-4 win in Game 5 of the WHL Playoffs First Round at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington on April 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Short-handed Tips blitz Seattle for Game 5 win

A first-period flurry and a record five power-play goals carry Everett to 7-4 win.

Snohomish junior Paul Joplin (left) heads the ball past a jumping Monroe defender in the Panthers' 4-1 loss at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Snohomish, Washington on April 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Monroe boys soccer leapfrogs Snohomish in Wesco standings with win

Senior Connor Dayley scored twice in the 4-1 win, with three Bearcat goals coming from corners.

Prep boys soccer roundup for Friday, April 4

Lake Stevens downs Glacier Peak to win first seven games.

Stanwood sophomore Tanner Requa tags out the lead runner after getting him in a pickle during a playoff loss to Kentlake on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Kent Meridian High School in Kent, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep baseball roundup for Friday, April 4

Tanner Requa’s no-hitter pushes Stanwood to 8-0.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.