Yoelqui Céspedes Explained

Yoelqui Céspedes
Team:Long Island Ducks
Number:55
Position:Outfielder
Birth Date:24 September 1997
Birth Place:Yara, Cuba
Bats:Right
Throws:Right

Yoelqui Céspedes Maceo (born September 24, 1997), also known as Yoelkis Céspedes, is a Cuban professional baseball outfielder for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He played for Alazanes de Granma of the Cuban National Series before he defected from Cuba.

Career

Early career

Céspedes played for the Alazanes de Granma of the Cuban National Series. He batted .287/.351/.415 in Cuba.[1] He also played for the Cuba national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[2] [3]

On June 25, 2019, Céspedes defected from Cuba while in Dayton, Ohio. At the time, he was playing for the Cuba national baseball team, which was participating in a CanAm League showcase event.[4] He worked out in the Bahamas, preparing for Major League Baseball to declare him a free agent.[5]

Chicago White Sox

On December 22, 2020, Céspedes agreed to a $2 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.[6] The White Sox announced the signing on January 15, 2021.[7] On June 19, he was assigned to the high-A Winston-Salem Dash of High-A East.[1] In June 2021, Cespedes was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.[8] The White Sox promoted Céspedes to the Birmingham Barons of Double-A South and assigned him to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League after the regular season.[9] He played for Birmingham for the 2022 season and batted .258 with 17 home runs and 59 RBI in 119 games played; he also had 154 strikeouts and only 29 walks.[10]

Céspedes split the 2023 season between Birmingham and the Triple–A Charlotte Knights. In 121 games between the two affiliates, he batted .230/.319/.350 with 10 home runs, 37 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.[11] On March 30, 2024, Céspedes was released by the White Sox organization.[12]

Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks

On April 24, 2024, Céspedes signed with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[13] In 3 games for the RedHawks, he went 0–for–11 with no home runs or RBI. On May 16, Céspedes was released by the RedHawks.[14]

Long Island Ducks

On August 10, 2024, Cespedes signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[15]

Personal life

His half-brother is Yoenis Céspedes.[16] [17] [18]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White Sox prospect Cespedes to debut. Jackson. Josh. . June 19, 2021. June 22, 2021.
  2. Web site: The Cespedes brothers, Yoenis and Yoelkis, are not quite alike. February 6, 2017. ESPN.com.
  3. Web site: 2017 CUBA WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC ROSTER. Baseball America. Vince. Lara-Cinisomo. February 8, 2017. March 23, 2017.
  4. Web site: Report: Yoelkis Cespedes defects from Cuba. TSN. June 25, 2019. June 25, 2019.
  5. Web site: Céspedes brothers reunite, prepare for Majors. MLB.com.
  6. Web site: White Sox To Sign Yoelki Cespedes. MLB Trade Rumors.
  7. Web site: Sox add top ranked international free agent Yoelqui Céspedes . Duber . Vinnie . January 15, 2021 . NBC Sports Chicago. February 20, 2021.
  8. Web site: Futures Game rosters are STACKED. MLB.com.
  9. Web site: Yoelqui Cespedes facing challenges, but 'sky is limit for this kid,' White Sox say . Chicago Sun-Times . 2021-11-06 . 2021-12-26.
  10. Web site: Céspedes working his way back to elite status. MLB.com.
  11. Web site: 2024 South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 49: Yoelqui Céspedes. March 30, 2024. southsidesox.com. en.
  12. Web site: White Sox Release Lucius Fox, Yoelqui Cespedes. March 30, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  13. Web site: 2024 Transactions. April 24, 2024. aabaseball.com. en.
  14. Web site: 2024 Transactions. May 16, 2024. aabaseball.com. en.
  15. Web site: Transactions. August 10, 2024. baseball.pointstreak.com. en.
  16. Web site: The Cespedes brothers, Yoenis and Yoelkis, are not quite alike. February 6, 2017 . February 13, 2017.
  17. Web site: Meet Yoenis Cespedes' little brother Yoelkis. Craig. Calcaterra. February 2, 2017. February 13, 2017.
  18. Web site: Yoenis Cespedes brother Yoelkis stars for Cuba. . February 13, 2017.