| Delino DeShields Jr. | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) DeShields with the Indians in February 2020 | |
| Piratas de Campeche – No. 00 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1992-08-16)August 16, 1992 (age 32) Easton, Maryland, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 8, 2015, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Batting average | .246 |
| Home runs | 19 |
| Runs batted in | 139 |
| Stolen bases | 111 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Delino Diaab DeShields[a] (born August 16, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballcenter fielder for thePiratas de Campeche of theMexican League. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTexas Rangers,Cleveland Indians, andCincinnati Reds. He is the son of former MLB playerDelino DeShields and the brother of basketball playerDiamond DeShields.
DeShields, the eldest of his father's five children, was raised in theAtlanta area. He went toWoodward Academy, where he played both baseball and football. In his senior year at Woodward, he hit 9 home runs and batted .415, while stealing 29 bases. He was recruited by theGeorgia Bulldogs andOle Miss Rebels for football before deciding to pursue baseball instead.[1] He was also recruited by theLSU Tigers for baseball, but they only committed a half-scholarship to him due to his desire to play professionally.
TheHouston Astros selected DeShields in the first round, with the eighth overall selection, of the2010 MLB draft. The Astros signed DeShields for a $2.15 millionsigning bonus.[2] Astros general managerEd Wade stated his intention to send DeShields to the rookie-levelGreeneville Astros of theAppalachian League once he was signed, with a transition tosecond baseman during the winter.[3]
In 2010, DeShields played 16 games for Greeneville and two for theGCL Astros.[4] He also played for theLexington Legends of theSouth Atlantic League, theLancaster JetHawks of theCalifornia League, and theCorpus Christi Hooks of the Double-ATexas League.[4] On April 18, 2014, DeShields was hit in the face by a 90-mile-per-hour (140 km/h) pitch. He suffered a non-displacedmaxillary sinus fracture.[5]
At the 2014Winter Meetings, theTexas Rangers selected DeShields from the Astros in theRule 5 draft.[6] DeShields made the Rangers'Opening Day roster.[7] He recorded his first major league hit in the 8th inning on an infield single againstDan Otero of theOakland Athletics on April 8.[8] On June 3, 2015, DeShields was namedAmerican League Rookie of the Month for May after batting .296 for the month and scoring 22 runs.[9] On August 14, he hit his first Major League home run against Tampa Bay. After the 2015 season, DeShields changed hisuniform number from 7 to 3. After the completion of the 2015 season, DeShields finished in 7th place in theAmerican League Rookie of the Year voting, with one third place vote. He was voted as the Texas Rangers' Rookie of the Year by fellow players and coaches.
DeShields began the 2016 season as the Rangers' starting center fielder, but eventually lost his job toIan Desmond for inconsistency and was demoted to the Triple-ARound Rock Express. DeShields finished the season with a .209 batting average, four home runs and 13 RBI with eight stolen bases in 74 games. Deshields made the 2017 Opening Day roster. On April 21, 2017, he hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 13th inning in a game against theKansas City Royals.[10]
On March 31, 2018, DeShields experienced pain in his left hand after swinging. He was diagnosed with a brokenhamate bone in the left hand, ruling him out for four to six weeks.[11] DeShields ended the season with a .216 batting average with two home runs and 20 stolen bases. In 2019, he hit .249/.325/.347/.672 with four home runs, 32 RBI, and 24 stolen bases.
On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded DeShields andEmmanuel Clase to theCleveland Indians in exchange forCorey Kluber and cash considerations.[12] Overall with the2020 Cleveland Indians, DeShields batted .252 with no home runs and 7 RBI in 37 games.[13] On December 2, 2020, the Indians declined to tender DeShields a contract for the 2021 season, making him a free agent.[14]
On February 1, 2021, DeShields signed a minor-league contract with theTexas Rangers organization and was invited to spring training.[15] He was not added to the 40-man roster, and was assigned to the Triple-ARound Rock Express. DeShields played in 66 games for Round Rock, hitting .263 with 5 home runs and 18 RBI's, while also stealing 16 bases.
On August 5, 2021, DeShields was traded to theBoston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.[16] He was assigned to the Triple-AWorcester Red Sox.[17] DeShields played in 18 games for Triple-A Worcester, hitting .210 with one home run and four RBI.[18]
On August 31, 2021, DeShields was traded to theCincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations. He was assigned to the Triple-ALouisville Bats.[19] The following day, the Reds selected DeShields' contract.[20] DeShields played in 25 games for the Reds, hitting .255 with one home run and six RBI. On October 11, DeShields rejected his outright assignment and elected free agency.[21]
On March 18, 2022, DeShields signed a minor league contract with theMiami Marlins.[22] DeShields collected one hit in eight plate appearances during Spring Training before he was released by the Marlins organization on April 3.[23]
On April 8, 2022, DeShields signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves.[24] DeShields played in 109 games for the Triple-AGwinnett Stripers, batting .220/.367/.264 with one home run, 26 RBI, and 35 stolen bases. He elected free agency after the season on November 10.[25]
On March 19, 2023, DeShields signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners organization.[26] He played in 12 games for the Triple-ATacoma Rainiers, batting .222/.300/.222 with no home runs and 2 RBI. DeShields was released by Seattle on May 1.[27]
On May 7, 2023, DeShields signed with theCleburne Railroaders of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[28] In 34 contests, DeShields batted .291/.380/.440 with 4 home runs, 21 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. He was released by the Railroaders on June 28.[29]
On April 23, 2024, DeShields signed with theCharleston Dirty Birds of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[30] In 69 appearances for Charleston, he slashed .256/.371/.336 with four home runs, 33 RBI, and 36 stolen bases.
On February 10, 2025, DeShields signed with thePiratas de Campeche of theMexican League.[31]
For the 2018 season, DeShields received the Texas Rangers' Harold McKinney Good Guy Award as voted by the Dallas–Fort WorthBaseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) chapter.[32]
DeShields is the son of former MLB playerDelino DeShields. His sister,Diamond DeShields, is a professional basketball player in theWNBA.[33] In addition to Diamond, DeShields has a brother, another sister and a paternal half-sister.DeShields was arrested and charged withdriving under the influence, possession of alcohol by a minor and a traffic violation in Georgia on January 16, 2011. He was released on $2,500 bail and charged with the three misdemeanors.[34]