Delino DeShields Jr.

Delino Diaab DeShields[lower-alpha 1] (born August 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball center fielder who is a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers from 2015 through 2019, the Cleveland Indians in 2020, and the Cincinnati Reds in 2021. He is the son of former MLB player Delino DeShields and the brother of basketball player Diamond DeShields.

Delino DeShields Jr.
DeShields with the Indians in February 2020
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1992-08-16) August 16, 1992
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 runs19
Runs batted in139
Stolen bases111
Teams

Early life

DeShields, the eldest of his father's five children, was raised in the Atlanta area. He went to Woodward 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 the Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels for football before deciding to pursue baseball instead.[1] He was also recruited by the LSU Tigers for baseball, but they only committed a half-scholarship to him due to his desire to play professionally.

Professional career

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros selected DeShields in the first round, with the eighth overall selection, of the 2010 MLB draft. The Astros signed DeShields for a $2.15 million signing bonus.[2] Astros general manager Ed Wade stated his intention to send DeShields to the rookie-level Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League once he was signed, with a transition to second baseman during the winter.[3]

In 2010, DeShields played 16 games for Greeneville and two for the GCL Astros.[4] He also played for the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League, the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League, and the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Double-A Texas 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-displaced maxillary sinus fracture.[5]

Texas Rangers
DeShields with the Corpus Christi Hooks in 2014

At the 2014 Winter Meetings, the Texas Rangers selected DeShields from the Astros in the Rule 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 against Dan Otero of the Oakland Athletics on April 8.[8] On June 3, 2015, DeShields was named American 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 his uniform number from 7 to 3. After the completion of the 2015 season, DeShields finished in 7th place in the American 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 to Ian Desmond for inconsistency and was demoted to the Triple-A Round 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 the Kansas City Royals.[10]

On March 31, 2018, DeShields experienced pain in his left hand after swinging. He was diagnosed with a broken hamate 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.

Cleveland Indians

On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded DeShields and Emmanuel Clase to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Corey Kluber and cash considerations.[12] Overall with the 2020 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]

Texas Rangers (second stint)

On February 1, 2021, DeShields signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers organization and was invited to spring training.[15] He was not added to the 40-man roster, and was assigned to the Triple-A Round 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.

Boston Red Sox

On August 5, 2021, DeShields was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.[16] He was assigned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.[17] DeShields played in 18 games for Triple-A Worcester, hitting .210 with one home run and four RBI.[18]

Cincinnati Reds

On August 31, 2021, DeShields was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations. He was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville 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]

Miami Marlins

On March 18, 2022, DeShields signed a minor league contract with the Miami 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]

Atlanta Braves

On April 8, 2022, DeShields signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[24] DeShields played in 109 games for the Triple-A Gwinnett 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]

Seattle Mariners

On March 19, 2023, DeShields signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.[26] He played in 12 games for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, batting .222/.300/.222 with no home runs and 2 RBI. DeShields was released by Seattle on May 1.[27]

Cleburne Railroaders

On May 7, 2023, DeShields signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American 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]

Awards

For the 2018 season, DeShields received the Texas Rangers' Harold McKinney Good Guy Award as voted by the Dallas–Fort Worth Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) chapter.[30]

Personal life

DeShields is the son of former MLB player Delino DeShields. His sister, Diamond DeShields, is a professional basketball player in the WNBA.[31] In addition to Diamond, DeShields has a brother, another sister and a paternal half-sister. DeShields was arrested and charged with driving 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.[32]

See also

Notes
  1. While commonly known as Delino DeShields Jr., DeShields and his father have different middle names.

References
  1. "Five players to watch at Corky Kell Classic". ajc.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  2. http://www.wboc.com/story/12935106/astros-sign-1st-round-pick-delino-deshields-jr
  3. "Astros select Delino DeShields Jr. with 8th overall pick". Houston Chronicle. June 7, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  4. "Delino DeShields". Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  5. Axisa, Mike. "Delino DeShields Jr's swollen face after HBP is terrifying". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  6. "Rangers notes: Texas takes Delino DeShields in Rule 5 draft". star-telegram. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  7. "Rookies DeShields Jr., Kela add youth, speed to Rangers' roster". star-telegram. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  8. "Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics - Play By Play - April 08, 2015 - ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  9. "MLB Rookie of the Month Award | Baseball Almanac".
  10. "Inning 13 is lucky for walkoff Rangers". Lone Star Ball. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  11. "Delino DeShields breaks hamate bone in left hand". MLB. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  12. R.J. Anderson (December 15, 2019). "Rangers acquire Corey Kluber from Indians in latest hot stove shake-up". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  13. "Delino DeShields Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  14. Bell, Mandy (December 2, 2020). "Naquin, DeShields, Rodriguez non-tendered". Indians.com.
  15. "Rangers Sign Delino DeShields Jr". February 2021.
  16. Adams, Steve (August 5, 2021). "Red Sox Acquire Delino DeShields Jr". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  17. McDonald, Joe (August 7, 2021). "Delino DeShields is ready and rested to help Worcester Red Sox". Telegram & Gazette. Worcester, Massachusetts. Retrieved August 15, 2021 – via MSN.com.
  18. "Delino DeShields Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  19. "Reds Acquire Delino DeShields Jr". August 31, 2021.
  20. "Reds Select Delino DeShields Jr". September 2021.
  21. Bavazzano, Sean (October 11, 2021). "Delino DeShields Jr. Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  22. "Marlins DFA Monte Harrison, Sign Delino DeShields Jr". March 26, 2022.
  23. "Marlins release veteran OF Delino DeShields". April 3, 2022.
  24. "Delino DeShields Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  25. "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  26. "Mariners' Delino DeShields: Lands MiLB deal with Seattle". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  27. "Transactions".
  28. "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2023 Transactions".
  29. "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2023 Transactions".
  30. "Rangers hand out 2018 awards. Who won what in the first year of their rebuilding plan?". star-telegram.com. December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  31. "Delino DeShields and his sister, WNBA star Diamond, had an adorable embrace before Rangers-White Sox". MLB.com. May 18, 2018.
  32. Levine, Zachary (January 16, 2011). "Astros' first-round pick DeShields Jr. arrested". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
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