Nicknamed "The Titanium Catcher"[1] for the perception among many baseball fans that he was unusually likely to be hit by foul tips,[2] Avila has a history of concussions and concussion-like symptoms.

He spent time on the disabled list for a concussion in 2013 and missed games on at least two occasions in 2014 for concussion-like symptoms after taking blows to the head.

On August 6, 2009, Avila made his major league debut for the Tigers against the Baltimore Orioles where he had two hits, scoring a run and also batting one in.

[10] Avila made the Tigers 2010 Opening Day roster and shared playing time with starting catcher Gerald Laird.

On January 31, 2014, Alex avoided arbitration with the Tigers by signing a one-year contract worth $4.15 million, with a club option for 2015.

[15] Avila allowed only 3 passed balls in 122 games at catcher, versus 9 and 10 the previous two seasons, and he threw out potential base stealers at a 34% rate, the highest of his career.

[16] The 2015 season was not kind to Avila, as he struggled mightily at the bat (.191, 4 home runs, 13 RBI) and lost his starting catcher position to James McCann.

His father Al Avila, named general manager of the Tigers following Dave Dombrowski's departure at the 2015 trade deadline,[18] chose not to pursue his son in free agency.

[22][23] On April 6, 2017, Avila hit an RBI double in the eighth inning on his first at-bat against his former team, the Chicago White Sox.

[24] On July 31, 2017, Avila and pitcher Justin Wilson were traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Jeimer Candelario, shortstop Isaac Paredes, and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

[35][36] Avila's godfather was former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who was a friend of Alex's father Al and grandfather Ralph.

[37] When his father Al was named vice president and assistant general manager of the Tigers, Alex was a sophomore in high school.

The family moved to the Metro Detroit area, and Alex attended De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, Michigan for his sophomore year.

[citation needed] His younger brother, Alan Avila, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2008 in the 47th round; he chose to play baseball at Nova Southeastern University instead of signing.