He attended Yale University, where in 2007 he won the NCAA batting title by hitting .467, and led the NCAA with an .873 slugging percentage. That year, Lavarnway also set the Ivy League record with a 25-game hitting streak. In addition, he is the Ivy League all-time career home run leader, with 33. He was called up to the major leagues by the Red Sox on August 18, 2011.