Gio Urshela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gio Urshela |
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Urshela with the New York Yankees in 2020
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| Athletics – No. 13 | |||
| Third baseman | |||
| Born: October 11, 1991 Cartagena, Colombia |
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| debut | |||
| June 9, 2015, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Batting average | .273 | ||
| Home runs | 73 | ||
| Runs batted in | 332 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Giovanny Urshela Salcedo, born on October 11, 1991, is a professional baseball player from Colombia. He plays as a third baseman for the Athletics in Major League Baseball (MLB). Gio, as he's often called, has also played for several other MLB teams. These include the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves. He first joined the MLB in 2015 with the Cleveland Indians.
Gio Urshela's Baseball Journey
Starting with the Cleveland Indians
Gio Urshela began his baseball journey by signing with the Cleveland Indians in July 2008. He was an "international free agent," meaning he signed from outside the U.S. He started playing professionally in 2009 in the minor leagues.
By 2014, Urshela was playing for the Akron team. He was then promoted to the Columbus Clippers, a higher-level minor league team. After the 2014 season, the Indians added him to their "40-man roster." This meant he was closer to playing in the major leagues. In 2015, MLB.com called him the Indians' fourth-best young player.
Urshela started the 2015 season with Columbus. He was called up to the major leagues on June 8, 2015. Just three days later, on June 11, he got his first major league hit. It was a single, and in the same game, he hit his first major league home run! He spent all of 2016 playing in Columbus. During the offseason, he played winter baseball in Venezuela.
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In 2017, Urshela played in 67 major league games for Cleveland. He hit for a .224 batting average. He started the 2018 season on the injured list. After his recovery, the Indians decided to let him go from the team.
Time with the Toronto Blue Jays
On May 9, 2018, the Cleveland Indians traded Urshela to the Toronto Blue Jays. He played in 19 games for Toronto. He hit one home run and had three runs batted in (RBIs). After a short time, the Blue Jays also decided to let him go. He then played for their Triple-A minor league team, the Buffalo Bisons.
Playing for the New York Yankees
On August 4, 2018, the Blue Jays traded Urshela to the New York Yankees. He was sent to their minor league team, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. There, he worked with a hitting coach to improve his batting style.
The Yankees brought Urshela up to the major leagues on April 6, 2019. This happened because their starting third baseman, Miguel Andújar, got injured. Urshela started the season hitting very well. Even when Andújar briefly returned, Urshela continued to play for the Yankees. Andújar later needed surgery, making Urshela the main third baseman.
Urshela was the Yankees' starting third baseman for the 2020 season. He played in 43 of their 60 games. He missed some time due to a groin injury. He had a strong season, hitting six home runs and 30 RBIs. He was also excellent at defense, leading all third basemen with a .992 fielding percentage. On September 30, 2020, in a playoff game, Urshela made history. He hit a "grand slam" (a home run with the bases loaded) against his old team, the Cleveland Indians. This was the first time a Yankees third baseman had hit a postseason grand slam.
Moving to the Minnesota Twins
On March 13, 2022, the Yankees traded Urshela to the Minnesota Twins. He was traded along with another player, Gary Sánchez. In 2022, he had a batting average of .285. In October 2022, it was announced that Urshela would play winter baseball for his hometown team in Colombia.
With the Los Angeles Angels
On November 18, 2022, Urshela was traded from the Twins to the Los Angeles Angels. He started the 2023 season as the Angels' regular shortstop. However, on June 16, 2023, he was placed on the injured list. He had a left pelvis fracture. The Angels announced that he would not need surgery but would miss the rest of the 2023 season.
Time with the Detroit Tigers
On February 22, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers. He played in 92 games for the Tigers. He hit five home runs and had 37 RBIs. On August 16, he was released by the team.
Joining the Atlanta Braves
Just a few days later, on August 20, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves. He played in 36 games for Atlanta. He hit four home runs and had 15 RBIs.
Playing for the Athletics
On December 19, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year contract with the Athletics.
Playing for His Country
Before the 2013 season, Gio Urshela played for the Colombian national baseball team. They were trying to qualify for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. However, his team lost and did not make it to the tournament. He played for the Colombian national team again in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, after they successfully qualified.
Personal Life
Gio Urshela is married to his wife, Danna. In 2022, they welcomed their daughter. Danna is a journalist in Colombia.
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See also
In Spanish: Giovanny Urshela para niños
