| Jesús Aguilar | |
|---|---|
 Aguilar with theSaitama Seibu Lions in 2024 | |
| Free agent | |
| First baseman | |
| Born: (1990-06-30)June 30, 1990 (age 35) Maracay,Venezuela | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: May 15, 2014, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| NPB: March 29, 2024, for the Saitama Seibu Lions | |
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Batting average | .253 |
| Home runs | 114 |
| Runs batted in | 402 |
| NPB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Batting average | .204 |
| Home runs | 2 |
| Runs batted in | 10 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Jesús Alexander Aguilar (born June 30, 1990) is a Venezuelan professionalbaseballfirst baseman who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCleveland Indians,Milwaukee Brewers,Tampa Bay Rays,Miami Marlins,Baltimore Orioles, andOakland Athletics, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theSaitama Seibu Lions. Aguilar was anAll-Star in 2018.
Aguilar signed with theCleveland Indians as an amateurfree agent in November 2007. He spent his first two seasons with theDominican Summer League Indians. After splitting 2010 between two minor league teams, he hit 23home runs during the 2011 season between theLake County Captains of theSingle–AMidwest League and theKinston Indians of theHigh–ACarolina League. In 2011, Aguilar was also on theCarolina Mudcats roster, then an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Aguilar andFrancisco Lindor represented the Indians in the 2012All-Star Futures Game.[1] The Indians invited Aguilar tospring training in 2013 as a non-roster invitee.[2]
Playing for theAkron Aeros of theDouble–AEastern League in 2013, Aguilar had a .275batting average, 28doubles, 16 home runs, and 105runs batted in (RBIs),[3] setting an Akron franchise record in RBIs.[4] He was added to the Indians'40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[5]
Starting the 2014 season with theColumbus Clippers of theTriple–AInternational League, Aguilar batted .298 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in 37 games, before the Indians promoted him to the major leagues on May 15, 2014.[6] He was returned to Columbus on June 6 after playing in eight games for the Indians.[citation needed]
Aguliar began the 2015 season with Columbus. He was named the International League's starting first baseman in theTriple-A All-Star Game.[7] The Indians promoted Aguilar back to the major leagues on July 24.[8] In 2016, Aguilar led the International League with 30 home runs and 92 RBIs. However, the Indiansdesignated Aguilar for assignment on January 26, 2017.[9]
Aguilar was claimed off waivers by theMilwaukee Brewers on February 2, 2017.[10] After a strong performance duringspring training in 2017, Aguilar made the Brewers'Opening Day roster.[11] He played in 133 games, finishing the season with a .265 batting average, .331 OBP, 16 home runs, and 52 RBIs.[12]
Aguilar continued to play in 2018, due to an injury toEric Thames.[13] Batting .307 with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs, he won the NL's Final Vote for the2018 MLB All-Star Game[14] and he also accepted an invitation to participate in theHome Run Derby. He cooled off in the second half, but still finished the season hitting .274 with 35 home runs and 108 RBI, and tied for the major league lead insacrifice flies (10).[15] In the2018 NLDS, against theColorado Rockies, he went 1-for-11 with a home run in Game 3 off ofGerman Marquez in the Brewers' series-clinching 6-0 victory. In October 2018, Aguilar won theLuis Aparicio Award, which is given annually to aVenezuelan player inMajor League Baseball who is judged to have recorded the best individual performance in that year.[16]
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On July 31, 2019, the Brewers traded Aguilar to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange forJake Faria.[17] After the trade to Tampa Bay, Aguilar hit .261 in 37 games for the team. He was designated for assignment on November 27, 2019.[18]
On December 2, 2019, theMiami Marlins claimed Aguilar off ofwaivers.[19] In 2020, Aguilar hit .277/.352/.457 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs duringthe shortened 60-game season. In 2021, Aguilar hit .261/.329/.459 with 22 home runs and 93 RBIs in 131 games.
After batting .236 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in 2022, Aguilar wasdesignated for assignment by the Marlins on August 26.[20] He clearedwaivers and was released on August 28.[21]
Aguilar signed a minor league contract with theBaltimore Orioles on August 31, 2022.[22] He had his contract selected on September 1, 2022. He batted .235/.281/.379 between the two teams.[23]
On January 27, 2023, Aguilar signed a one-year, $3 million contract with theOakland Athletics.[24] Aguilar played in 36 games for Oakland, batting .221/.281/.385 with 5 home runs and 9 RBI. On May 29, he was designated for assignment by the A's afterPaul Blackburn was activated off of the injured list.[25]
On June 13, 2023, Aguilar signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves organization.[26][27] In 56 games for the Triple–AGwinnett Stripers, he batted .271/.373/.379 with 5 home runs and 34 RBI. Aguilar elected free agency following the season on November 6.[28]
On December 18, 2023, Aguilar signed with theSaitama Seibu Lions ofNippon Professional Baseball.[29] He played in 30 games for Seibu in 2024, posting a .204/.274/.301 batting line with two home runs and 10 RBI. On August 22, 2024, it was announced that Aguilar had undergone anendoscopic cleaning surgery on the back of his right ankle. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season, due to the recovery timetable of two months.[30] It was announced on October 30, that the Lions would not renew Aguilar's contract for the 2025 season, making him a free agent.[31]
Aguilar was born to Jesus and Maria Aguilar, and is the youngest of three children.[citation needed]
