Yoelqui Céspedes
Yoelqui Céspedes Maceo (born September 24, 1997), also known as Yoelkis Céspedes, is a Cuban professional baseball outfielder in the Chicago White Sox organization. He played for Alazanes de Granma of the Cuban National Series before he defected from Cuba.
Yoelqui Céspedes | |
---|---|
Chicago White Sox | |
Outfielder | |
Born: Yara, Cuba | September 24, 1997|
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
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]
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 RBIs in 119 games played; he also had 154 strikeouts and only 29 walks.[10]
Personal life
His half-brother is Yoenis Céspedes.[11][12][13]
References
- Jackson, Josh (June 19, 2021). "White Sox prospect Cespedes to debut". MLB.com. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- "The Cespedes brothers, Yoenis and Yoelkis, are not quite alike". ESPN.com. February 6, 2017.
- Lara-Cinisomo, Vince (February 8, 2017). "2017 CUBA WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC ROSTER". Baseball America. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
- "Report: Yoelkis Cespedes defects from Cuba". TSN. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- "Céspedes brothers reunite, prepare for Majors". MLB.com.
- "White Sox To Sign Yoelki Cespedes". MLB Trade Rumors.
- Duber, Vinnie (January 15, 2021). "Sox add top ranked international free agent Yoelqui Céspedes". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- "Futures Game rosters are STACKED". MLB.com.
- "Yoelqui Cespedes facing challenges, but 'sky is limit for this kid,' White Sox say". Chicago Sun-Times. November 6, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- https://www.mlb.com/news/yoelqui-cespedes-still-working-towards-big-league-debut
- "The Cespedes brothers, Yoenis and Yoelkis, are not quite alike". February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
- Calcaterra, Craig (February 2, 2017). "Meet Yoenis Cespedes' little brother Yoelkis". Retrieved February 13, 2017.
- "Yoenis Cespedes brother Yoelkis stars for Cuba". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
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