Yulieski Gurriel, the stellar Cuban baseball player, is experiencing his best form in the current season within the Major League Baseball (MLB) system, boasting a .436 average in August in the Triple-A category.
Playing for the Gwinnett Stripers, the Atlanta Braves' affiliate team, Gurriel, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the island's history, hit his twelfth home run this Sunday in a season that has yet to see him in the majors. Currently, the 40-year-old athlete is batting .302 AVG (281 at-bats with 85 hits), but according to journalist Francys Romero on the social network X, his stats this month make him an interesting prospect in the final stretch of the competitive period.
The first baseman and designated hitter has accumulated three home runs and 10 RBIs - in addition to maintaining an average above .400 - compelling reasons for the Braves to consider promoting him or potentially drawing interest from other MLB organizations.
In 2023, Gurriel bid farewell to the Houston Astros, the team where he spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career, before moving to the Miami Marlins, with whom he played for one season before changing teams again. With the Astros, he won two World Series titles, a Gold Glove, and a batting title.
Gurriel, a native of Sancti Spíritus and a long-time mainstay of the Cuban national team, defected alongside his younger brother Lourdes Jr. (now with the Arizona Diamondbacks) in the Dominican Republic in 2016. From a young age, he showed great aptitude, and his name frequently comes up in discussions about the best Cuban players in history.
Yulieski Gurriel's MLB Prospects and Career Highlights
In this section, we address some common questions about Yulieski Gurriel's impressive performance in Triple-A and his potential return to Major League Baseball (MLB).
What are Yulieski Gurriel's recent performance stats in Triple-A?
As of August, Gurriel is batting an impressive .436 average in Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers, including three home runs and 10 RBIs.
How long did Yulieski Gurriel play for the Houston Astros?
Gurriel spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career with the Houston Astros, during which he won two World Series titles, a Gold Glove, and a batting title.
When did Yulieski Gurriel defect from Cuba?
Yulieski Gurriel defected from Cuba in 2016 alongside his younger brother, Lourdes Jr., while in the Dominican Republic.