This is an accepted version of this page
| Yoenis Céspedes | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Céspedes with the New York Mets in 2015 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1985-10-18)October 18, 1985 (age 40) Campechuela,Granma Province,Cuba | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| March 28, 2012, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 1, 2020, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .273 |
| Home runs | 165 |
| Runs batted in | 528 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Yoenis Céspedes Milanés (born October 18, 1985), nicknamed "La Potencia" (The Power), is a Cuban-born former professionalbaseballoutfielder. He made hisMajor League Baseball (MLB) debut on March 28, 2012, for theOakland Athletics, and has also played in MLB for theBoston Red Sox,Detroit Tigers, andNew York Mets. Primarily aleft fielder in his early career, he split between left and center field on the Mets. A right-hand batter and fielder, he stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighs 220 pounds (100 kg).
FromCampechuela, Cuba, Céspedes played eight seasons until 2010 for theAlazanes de Granma in theCuban National Series. In that time, hebatted .319, .404on-base percentage (OBP), .565slugging percentage (SLG), 169home runs and 557runs batted in (RBI) over 528 games. He was also a member of theCuba national team, winninggold medals in three tournaments. In MLB, he won theHome Run Derby in both2013 and2014. He is a two-timeAll-Star, and in 2015, played in his firstWorld Series as member of theNational League champion Mets.
Céspedes was born in the small town ofCampechuela, inGranma Province,Cuba. Céspedes is the son ofEstela Milanés, a softballpitcher who appeared in the2000 Summer Olympics for Cuba,[1][2][3] and Cresencio Céspedes, a formerCuban Leaguecatcher who separated from Milanés when Yoenis was one year old.[4] At age 10, he was sent by his mother to a state-run school where he could focus on baseball.[4]
Before defecting, Céspedes' first name was generally spelledYoennis.[5] Céspedes debuted in theCuban National Series with theAlazanes de Granma during the2003–04 Cuban National Series, hitting .302/.382/.503 (batting average,on-base percentage andslugging percentage). He was considered for theCuban National Series Rookie of the Year Award, but lost out toFrank Montieth.
He batted .313/.403/.540 in the2004–05 season.
In the2005–06 season, he hit .351/.444/.649 with 23home runs, 89runs and 78runs batted in (RBI) in 88games played. He tiedYuli Gurriel for the National Series lead in runs and was four home runs behind Gurriel for the lead, placing second. He tied for seventh in doubles (24), was second in total bases (220, 6 behind Gurriel) and was 4th in slugging. He hit .481/.481/.741 for Cuba in the2006 Haarlem Baseball Week. Despite his strong performance, Céspedes was left off Cuba's roster for the inauguralWorld Baseball Classic in 2006.Joe Kehoskie, at the time an agent who followed Cuban baseball closely, toldToronto'sThe Globe and Mail that Céspedes was the best player left at home by Cuba.[6]
He produced at a .303/.402/.541 rate in the2006–07 season with 17 home runs and 79 runs in 89 games. He again led in runs. He was also fifth in doubles (24), tiedYosvani Peraza for third in home runs, was fourth in total bases (184), tiedAlfredo Despaigne for fourth in RBI, tied for fourth in steals (15) and was sixth in slugging. He was 1-for-7 with a steal and a run in the2007 Pan-American Games in his debut for theCuban national team.
He hit .284/.342/.552 in the2007–08 season. He was among the league leaders in RBI (tying teammate Despaigne for third with 78), tiedYoandry Urgellés for fourth in runs (82), was second in home runs (26, trailing onlyAlexeis Bell) and fourth in 202 total bases.
Céspedes batted .323/.411/.601 in the2008–09 season with 24 homers and 83 runs in 87 games. He tiedLeonys Martín for fourth in the league in runs and tiedRolando Meriño for third in home runs (trailingAlfredo Despaigne andJoan Carlos Pedroso). He was seventh in total bases (197), ninth in RBI (76) and 10th in slugging. He made the All-Star outfield alongsideGiorvis Duvergel and Despaigne.
Céspedes was the starting center fielder forCuba in the2009 World Baseball Classic. He hit .458/.480/1.000 with a double, three triples, two home runs, five runs and five RBI in six games. He led Cuba in slugging and was second toFrederich Cepeda in average, OBP and OPS. He tied Cepeda and Gurriel for the team lead in runs and tied Gourriel for second in homers, behind Cepeda. He broke a 1–1 tie againstAustralia with a 6th-inning solo homer offDamian Moss and started a 16–4 romp overMexico with a leadoff triple againstPablo Ortega. Céspedes tripled offHisashi Iwakuma in Cuba's last game of the tournament, a 5–0 loss toJapan, but did not score. Earlier in that game, he dropped a fly fromMichihiro Ogasawara to let the first two Japanese runs score.[7] Cuba thus missed the final four of an event for the first time ever; the Cuban team had also made the finals of every global baseball competition since 1959.[7] Céspedes was named a member of the 2009 All-WBC team following the tournament.[8]
Céspedes started the2009 Baseball World Cup as Cuba's starting center fielder, but struggled and only hit .194/.275/.333 while being caught in his only steal attempt;[9] Martín replaced him as the event went along.[3] In the gold medal game, Céspedes pinch-hit for Yorbis Borroto successfully with a ninth-inning single offBrad Lincoln in Cuba's 10–5 loss toTeam USA, settling for a silver medal.
He hit .345/.426/.617 in the 2009–2010 season with 87 runs and 22 homers in 87 contests. He was third in the league in runs (three behind Gurriel), 10th in hits (118), 8th in home runs, 4th in total bases (211, behindAlfredo Despaigne, Gourriel andJosé Abreu) and was ninth in slugging. He was not picked as an All-Star outfielder as Despaigne, Cepeda and Bell took the three slots.
Céspedes went 11 for 22 with 12 runs, 14 RBI, two doubles and four homers in six games at the2010 World University Baseball Championship.[10] He drove in six against South Korea and five against China. In the gold medal game, he was 0-for-4 with a strikeout as Cuba's fifth batter in a 4–3 win overTeam USA. He made the tournament All-Star outfield alongsideMikie Mahtook andShota Ishimine. He played for Cuba when it finished second in the2011 Pan American Games Qualifying Tournament. In the2010 Intercontinental Cup, he was 3-for-10 with a double, three runs, four RBI and a walk as a backup. In the 4–1 win over theDutch national team in the gold medal game, he was the second of three left fielders Cuba used. He replacedYoandry Urgellés, was retired byBerry van Driel and then replaced by Despaigne.[11]
He put up a .333/.424/.667 batting line with 89 runs, 33 home runs and 99 RBI in 90 games in the 2010–2011 season. He led the league in runs (five ahead of Cepeda), tied Abreu for the home run lead (breaking Despaigne's league record by one),[12] tied Cepeda for the most total bases (236), tiedRamón Tamayo for seventh in steals (11 in 14 tries), led in RBI (six ahead of Abreu) and finished fifth in slugging. He was named the All-Star center fielder, joining Despaigne and Cepeda in the outfield.
Céspedes once again represented Cuba at the2023 World Baseball Classic, the first such competition in which event organizers allowed the Cuban team to roster players who had previously defected from Cuba.[13][14] He played in two of the team's fourPool A games inTaichung, going hitless with two walks in eight plate appearances. Following the pool stage, Céspedes returned to the United States rather than traveling to thequarterfinals inTokyo with the team, stepping away from the team for personal reasons.[15]
In the summer of 2011, Céspedes and six others took a 23-hour speedboat ride departing Cuba and heading for theDominican Republic. After arriving in the Dominican, he met Dominican agent Edgar Mercedes, who established residency for him inSantiago, which allowed him to bypass theMLB draft and become afree agent.[16][17]
Céspedes was considered a five-tool outfielder going into free agency. Kevin Goldstein ofBaseball Prospectus declared Céspedes "arguably the best all-around player to come out of Cuba in a generation".[18]
After interest from numerous Major League teams, Céspedes agreed to a four-year, $36 million contract with theOakland Athletics on February 13, 2012, with the deal becoming official the following month.[19] Céspedes began the 2012 season for the Athletics at his usual position of center field, but was later moved to left field upon the return of veteran center fielderCoco Crisp.
On March 28, in his major league debut, he went 1-for-3, and was also hit by a pitch.[20] The following day, he hit his first major league home run, a two-run shot offSeattle Mariners relieverShawn Kelley.[21] Céspedes had hit his first walk-off home run on June 21 against theLos Angeles Dodgers with the final score of 4–1, resulting in a three-game sweep. The Athletics would go on to win theAmerican League West, with Céspedes batting .316 with a .381 OBP in the postseason.
On July 15, 2013, Céspedes won the2013 Home Run Derby. A last-minute addition by team captainRobinson Canó to represent theAmerican League squad, he hit 32 home runs total in the exhibition, including 17 in the first round. He defeated theNational League'sBryce Harper in the final round by hitting 9 home runs, with five swings to spare. He was the first winner of the contest who had not been selected to that year'sAll-Star Game.[22] Céspedes hit .240 for the year and had 26 home runs along with 80 RBIs. Though Céspedes had a great postseason, the A's were eliminated by theDetroit Tigers. He suffered several injuries throughout the season, including wrist, hamstring, and knee injuries.[23]
Céspedes had a great start to the season, hitting .273 with 14 homers and 55 RBIs through July 1, 2014, and was third in the All-Star voting for the AL behindJosé Bautista of theToronto Blue Jays andMike Trout of theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Céspedes was known for having a great throwing arm. After getting three assists against theToronto Blue Jays andBaltimore Orioles, Céspedes gunned downChris Iannetta andKole Calhoun at home plate in the same inning in a game against the Angels on May 31. He would have an even more memorable throw, again against the Angels, when he threw outHowie Kendrick at home on June 10. Céspedes bobbled a hit off the bat ofMike Trout, prompting Kendrick to attempt scoring on the play.[24] Céspedes corralled the ball and uncorked a 300-foot rocket to nail Kendrick at the plate. He would once again terrorize Angel baserunners as he threw outAlbert Pujols trying to advance to third when the ball got by Céspedes in the next game.[25] This put Céspedes at 11 outfield assists on the season, which led the league.
On July 1, Céspedes suffered a hamstring injury while running against the Tigers on a RBI hit byBrandon Moss. Céspedes along with five other A's players (Josh Donaldson,Derek Norris,Brandon Moss, and pitchersScott Kazmir andSean Doolittle) were chosen to play in the2014 MLB All-Star Game inTarget Field. In the final week of fan voting to select starters for the All-Star Game, he was passed byAdam Jones.[26] On July 14, Céspedes won theHome Run Derby for a second time, becoming the first player to win consecutive Derby titles sinceKen Griffey Jr. accomplished the feat in 1999. Céspedes played in the 2014 All-Star Game where he went 0-for-2.
On July 31, 2014, Céspedes was traded to theBoston Red Sox in exchange for pitcherJon Lester and outfielderJonny Gomes.[27]
Céspedes hit his first home run as a member of the Red Sox on August 10, 2014, against theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim, with a three-run home run.[28] In 51 games with Boston, Céspedes batted .269 with five home runs and 33 RBIs. Overall, for the 2014 season, Céspedes had 22 home runs with 100 RBIs, while batting .260.
On December 11, 2014, the Red Sox traded Céspedes along withAlex Wilson andGabe Speier to theDetroit Tigers forRick Porcello.[29] Céspedes played his first game with the Tigers during opening day against theMinnesota Twins on April 6, 2015, where he robbedKurt Suzuki of a home run, leading to a 4–0 victory for the Tigers.[30] Through June 13, Céspedes was hitting .308 with nine home runs and 33 runs batted in. He was not selected as an All Star but was put in as a player on theAll-Star Final Vote. Therefore, he could not compete in the Home Run Derby after winning the two previous years.[31]
Céspedes won theAmerican LeagueGold Glove Award in left field. In 99 games for the Tigers, Céspedes had nineassists, 11Defensive Runs Saved and a 15ultimate zone rating. He became only the second player in MLB history to win a Gold Glove Award after a mid-season trade between leagues, followingVic Power in 1964.[32]
On July 31, 2015, Céspedes was traded to theNew York Mets for minor league pitchersMichael Fulmer andLuis Cessa. On August 21, Céspedes went 5-for-6 against theColorado Rockies, hitting three home runs in a game for the first time. Céspedes finished a triple shy of the cycle.[33] It was ranked the best offensive game of the season byESPN.com.[34] In his first 41 games with the Mets, Céspedes exploded, posting a .309 batting average, 17 home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .691 slugging percentage. His offensive explosion helped the Mets jump up to a 91⁄2 game lead over theWashington Nationals in theNational League East as of September 14. Because of his efforts, Céspedes was awarded theNL Player of the Week Award for September 7–13. He batted .345, hit four home runs, scored six runs, and drove in 12 runs while posting a 1.263 OPS. Across 57 games for the Mets in 2015, Céspedes batted .287/.337/.604 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI.
In Game 3 of theNational League Division Series against theLos Angeles Dodgers, his three-hit, three-run, three-RBI performance, including a home run, helped the Mets take a 13–7 win and a 2–1 series lead.[35] In Game 1 of theNational League Championship Series against theChicago Cubs, Céspedes threwStarlin Castro out at the plate, preserving a then 1–1 tie which the Mets won 4–2.[36] In the sixth inning of Game 3, Céspedes caught the Cubs off-guard by stealing third base. He later scored the go-ahead run whenTrevor Cahill'suncaught third strike allowedMichael Conforto to reach base safely.[37]
The2015 World Series started inauspiciously for Céspedes whenKansas City Royals' leadoff hitterAlcides Escobar hitMatt Harvey's first pitch to center field, and Céspedes misplayed the ball, then booted it into left field, resulting in the first World Seriesinside-the-park home run since 1929. The Royals would eventually take the series 4–1. In the series, Céspedes batted .150 with no extra-base hits. At the end of the season, he became afree agent.
On January 26, 2016, Céspedes re-signed with the Mets on a three-year, $75 million contract, with an opt-out after the first season.[38] On April 26, Céspedes came off the bench against theCincinnati Reds in the 7th inning and hit a first-pitch pinch-hit three-run homer to tie the game at 3. He had previously sat out the last few games due to a lingering leg injury. The Mets eventually won the game 4–3.[39] On April 29 against theSan Francisco Giants, Céspedes hit a grand slam in the 3rd inning, breaking the Mets' record for the most runs scored in an inning with 12. The Mets went on to win the game 13–1.[40] His 466 feet (142 m) home run against theChicago Cubs on June 30 tied for the longest inCiti Field history.[41]
On July 5, Céspedes was named to theNational League roster for the2016 MLB All-Star Game atPetco Park, joining teammatesNoah Syndergaard,Bartolo Colón,Jeurys Familia and Mets managerTerry Collins, but was later taken off the roster along with Syndergaard due to an injury.[42][43] In August, Céspedes was criticized for golfing while on thedisabled list.[44] Across 132 games for the Mets in 2016, he batted .280/.354/.530 with 31 home runs and 86 RBI.
Céspedes opted out of his contract with the Mets on November 3, 2016 and became a free agent. On November 30, the Mets re-signed him to a four-year, $110 million contract with a no-trade clause.[45]
On April 11, 2017, Céspedes hit three home runs in a single game as the Mets won 14–4 over thePhiladelphia Phillies.[46] On April 27, Céspedes left the game after pulling his left hamstring, and on the same day, he was placed on the 10-day disabled list.[47] His season ended early on August 25 when he strained his right hamstring against theWashington Nationals. He finished the 2017 season with a .292 batting average and 17 home runs in 81 games played.
Afterspring training ended, Céspedes spoke confidently about the2018 Mets, claiming that they were the "best team he had been around".[48] On April 18, 2018 against theWashington Nationals, he capped off a 9-run 8th inning for the Mets with a grand slam.[49] Céspedes batted .262 with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs in 38 games in 2018, as his season ended with him undergoing surgery on both heels which would result in him missing 8–10 months.[50][51]
On May 20, 2019, it was announced that Céspedes fractured his right ankle on his ranch, effectively ending his hopes of playing in 2019. He missed the entire season.[52]
On July 24, 2020, Céspedes returned to major league action for the Mets' season opener against theAtlanta Braves atCiti Field. He hit a 7th inning home run in a Mets 1–0 victory, becoming the firstdesignated hitter to hit a home run in a National League game.[53] Céspedes, off to a .161 start to the shortened season, did not report to the Mets for their August 2 game; hisagent announced during the game that Céspedes had opted out of the 2020 season, citing concerns regarding theCOVID-19 pandemic.[54] As a result, he ended his five-year tenure with the Mets and became a free agent at the conclusion of the 2020 season.[55]
On November 21, 2024, Céspedes announced that he was interested in an MLB comeback with the Mets.[56]
Céspedes lives inManhattan, New York during the season, and has a ranch inPort St. Lucie, Florida, during the offseason.[57] He has a son, Yoenis Jr., whom he hasn't seen since he leftCuba, and is only able to speak to on the phone. He has tried to get him into theUnited States.[58] He has a half-brother,Yoelqui, who played in theChicago White Sox organization.[59]
In 2014, Céspedes signed withJay-Z'sRoc Nation Sports, a sports agency division ofRoc Nation.[60] An exotic car enthusiast, Céspedes arrived to 2016 Mets'spring training with a variety of custom sports cars on display. His collection includes a custom 2016Ford F-250, two customPolaris Slingshots, a customLamborghini Aventador, anAlfa Romeo 8C Competizione, and a customJeep Wrangler, all totaling a little under $1 million.[61][62][63][64][65][66]
Céspedes bought a 270-pound hog from a local county fair while at 2016 Mets' spring training, reportedly paying $7,000 for it.[67]
Cespedes, whose first name was spelled Yoennis when he played for Cuba at the World Baseball Classic in 2009, is the latest in a long line of defectors.
