| 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.
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]
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]
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]
On August 10, 2024, Cespedes signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[15]
His half-brother is Yoenis Céspedes.[16] [17] [18]