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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| Charleston Dirty Birds – No. 8 | |||
| 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 Charleston Dirty Birds in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Delino has also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams like the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds. He comes from a family of athletes: his dad, Delino DeShields, was also an MLB player, and his sister, Diamond DeShields, plays professional basketball.
Contents
Early Life and Sports
Delino DeShields Jr. grew up in the Atlanta area. He was the oldest of his father's five children. He went to Woodward Academy where he was a talented athlete. He played both baseball and football in high school.
In his final year at Woodward, Delino was a star in baseball. He hit 9 home runs and had a batting average of .415. He also stole 29 bases, showing off his speed. Colleges like the Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels wanted him for football. However, Delino decided to focus on baseball instead.
Professional Baseball Journey
Starting with the Houston Astros
The Houston Astros chose Delino DeShields in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft. He was the eighth player picked overall. The Astros signed him with a $2.15 million bonus. The team planned for him to start with their rookie-level team, the Greeneville Astros. They also thought about training him to play second baseman during the off-season.
In 2010, Delino played a few games for Greeneville and the GCL Astros. He also played for other minor league teams. These included the Lexington Legends, the Lancaster JetHawks, and the Corpus Christi Hooks. In 2014, Delino was hit in the face by a fast pitch. He had a minor bone fracture but recovered.
Playing for the Texas Rangers
In 2014, the Texas Rangers picked Delino from the Astros in the Rule 5 draft. This special draft allows teams to pick players who are not protected by their original team. Delino made the Rangers' main team for Opening Day in 2015.
On April 8, he got his first major league hit. In June 2015, Delino was named the American League Rookie of the Month for May. He batted .296 and scored 22 runs that month. On August 14, he hit his first Major League home run. After the 2015 season, Delino changed his jersey number from 7 to 3. He finished 7th in the voting for the Major League Baseball 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. But he struggled a bit and was sent to the Triple-A team, the Round Rock Express. He finished that season with a .209 batting average. In 2017, he made the Opening Day roster again. On April 21, 2017, he hit a game-winning single in the 13th inning against the Kansas City Royals.
In March 2018, Delino hurt his left hand. He had a broken bone and was out for about four to six weeks. He ended the 2018 season with a .216 batting average and 20 stolen bases. In 2019, he had a batting average of .249, hit four home runs, and stole 24 bases.
Moving to the Cleveland Indians
On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded Delino and another player to the Cleveland Indians. In return, the Rangers received pitcher Corey Kluber. During the 2020 season with the Indians, Delino batted .252 in 37 games. After the season, the Indians decided not to offer him a new contract, making him a free agent.
Back with the Texas Rangers (briefly)
On February 1, 2021, Delino signed a minor-league contract to return to the Texas Rangers. He played 66 games for the Triple-A Round Rock Express. He hit .263 with 5 home runs and stole 16 bases.
Short Stays with Other Teams
Later in 2021, Delino was traded to the Boston Red Sox and played for their Triple-A team, the Worcester Red Sox. Soon after, he was traded again to the Cincinnati Reds. He joined the Reds' Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats, and then was called up to play for the main Reds team. He played 25 games for the Reds, hitting .255. After the season, he became a free agent again.
In 2022, Delino signed minor league contracts with the Miami Marlins and then the Atlanta Braves. He played for the Braves' Triple-A team, the Gwinnett Stripers, where he stole 35 bases. In 2023, he signed with the Seattle Mariners and played for their Triple-A team, the Tacoma Rainiers, before being released.
Independent League Baseball
In May 2023, Delino joined the Cleburne Railroaders in the American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent league. He played well, hitting .291 with 4 home runs and 13 stolen bases.
On April 23, 2024, Delino signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, another independent league. He has continued to play well there, showing his speed with 36 stolen bases in 69 games.
Awards
In 2018, Delino DeShields received the Texas Rangers' Harold McKinney Good Guy Award. This award is given to a player who is seen as a good teammate and person, as voted by baseball writers.
Personal Life
Delino DeShields Jr. comes from a family with a strong connection to sports. 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 a brother and two other sisters.
See also
- Rule 5 draft results
