Delino DeShields Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delino DeShields Jr. |
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DeShields with the Indians in February 2020
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| Washington Nationals | |||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: August 16, 1992 Easton, Maryland, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 8, 2015, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) |
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| Batting average | .246 | ||
| Home runs | 19 | ||
| Runs batted in | 139 | ||
| Stolen bases | 111 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Delino Diaab DeShields (born August 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball player. He plays as a center fielder for the Washington Nationals organization. Delino has also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams like the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds. His dad, Delino DeShields, was also a famous MLB player. His sister, Diamond DeShields, is a professional basketball player.
Contents
Early Life and Sports
Delino DeShields Jr. grew up in the Atlanta area. He was the oldest of his dad's five children. He went to Woodward Academy where he was a talented athlete. Delino played both baseball and football in high school.
In his final year at Woodward, he was amazing at baseball. He hit 9 home runs and had a batting average of .415. He also stole 29 bases, showing off his speed. He was so good that colleges wanted him for both sports. But Delino decided to focus on baseball.
Professional Baseball Journey
Starting with the Houston Astros
The Houston Astros picked Delino in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft. He was the eighth player chosen overall! The Astros signed him with a $2.15 million bonus. The team planned for him to start playing in a rookie league. They also thought he might become a second baseman later on.
In 2010, Delino played for a few different Astros minor league teams. He played for the Greeneville Astros and the Gulf Coast League Astros. He also played for the Lexington Legends, Lancaster JetHawks, and Corpus Christi Hooks. In 2014, Delino was hit in the face by a fast pitch. He recovered from the injury and kept playing.
Time with the Texas Rangers
In 2014, the Texas Rangers chose Delino in the Rule 5 draft. This special draft allows teams to pick players from other teams' minor league rosters. Delino made the Rangers' main team for Opening Day in 2015.
He got his first major league hit on April 8, 2015. It was an infield single against the Oakland Athletics. In May 2015, Delino was named the American League Rookie of the Month. He batted .296 and scored 22 runs that month. On August 14, he hit his first Major League home run. After the 2015 season, he changed his jersey number from 7 to 3. He finished 7th in the voting for the American League Rookie of the Year award. His teammates and coaches also voted him the Texas Rangers' Rookie of the Year.
Delino started the 2016 season as the Rangers' main center fielder. However, he was sent to the Triple-A Round Rock Express later that season. He finished 2016 with a .209 batting average. He also hit four home runs and stole eight bases. Delino was back on the Opening Day roster for 2017. On April 21, 2017, he hit a game-winning single in the 13th inning against the Kansas City Royals.
In 2018, Delino had a hand injury that kept him out for a few weeks. He ended the season with a .216 batting average and 20 stolen bases. In 2019, he hit .249 with four home runs and 24 stolen bases.
Playing for the Cleveland Indians
On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded Delino to the Cleveland Indians. He played 37 games for the Indians in 2020. He batted .252 with no home runs and 7 runs batted in. After the 2020 season, the Indians decided not to offer him a new contract. This made him a free agent.
Back with the Texas Rangers
On February 1, 2021, Delino signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers again. He was invited to spring training. He played 66 games for the Triple-A Round Rock Express. He hit .263 with 5 home runs and 18 runs batted in. He also stole 16 bases.
Short Stints with Other Teams
On August 5, 2021, Delino was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He played 18 games for their Triple-A team, the Worcester Red Sox. He hit .210 with one home run.
Later, on August 31, 2021, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. The next day, the Reds added him to their main roster. Delino played 25 games for the Reds. He hit .255 with one home run and six runs batted in. After the season, he became a free agent again.
In 2022, Delino signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He played a few games in spring training before being released. Then, he signed with the Atlanta Braves minor league team, the Gwinnett Stripers. He played 109 games there, batting .220 and stealing 35 bases.
In 2023, Delino signed with the Seattle Mariners organization. He played 12 games for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He was released by the Mariners in May.
Independent League Baseball
After leaving the Mariners, Delino joined the Cleburne Railroaders in an independent baseball league. He played 34 games, batting .291 with 4 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He then signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds in April 2024. He played 69 games for them, hitting four home runs and stealing 36 bases.
Playing in Mexico
In February 2025, Delino signed with the Piratas de Campeche in the Mexican League. He played 16 games for them before being released in May.
Joining the Washington Nationals
On May 28, 2025, Delino DeShields Jr. signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.
Awards and Recognition
In 2018, Delino received the Texas Rangers' Harold McKinney Good Guy Award. This award is voted on by baseball writers in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. It recognizes players who are helpful and cooperative with the media.
Personal Life
Delino DeShields Jr. comes from a family of athletes. His father, Delino DeShields, played in Major League Baseball for many years. His sister, Diamond DeShields, is a professional basketball player in the WNBA. Delino also has other siblings.
See also
- Rule 5 draft results
