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Gilberto Celestino

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Gilberto Celestino
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1999-02-13) February 13, 1999 (age 25)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 2, 2021, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.222
Home runs4
Runs batted in27
Teams

Gilberto Celestino (born February 13, 1999) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins.

Career

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Houston Astros

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Celestino signed with the Houston Astros as an international free agent on July 2, 2015, for a $2.25 million signing bonus.[1] He split the 2016 season between the Dominican Summer League Astros and Gulf Coast League Astros, hitting a combined .257/.365/.393 with two home runs and 19 RBI. He spent the 2017 season with the rookie–level Greeneville Astros, hitting .268/.331/.379 with four home runs and 24 RBI.

Minnesota Twins

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On July 27, 2018, Celestino and Jorge Alcalá were traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Ryan Pressly.[2] Celestino split the 2018 season between the Tri-City ValleyCats, Corpus Christi Hooks, and the Elizabethton Twins, hitting a combined .287/.341/.406 with five home runs and 34 RBI.[3]

In 2019, Celestino split the season between the Cedar Rapids Kernels and the Fort Myers Miracle, hitting a combined .277/.349/.410 with 10 home runs and 54 RBI.[4][5] Celestino played for the Dominican Republic national baseball team at the 2019 WBSC Premier12.[6] On November 20, 2019, Celestino was added to the Twins' 40-man roster in order to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.[7][8] Celestino did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

On June 2, 2021, Celestino was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting center fielder against the Baltimore Orioles. In the game, he went 0-for-2 before being subbed out for Miguel Sanó. On June 9, Celestino notched his first career hit, a single off of New York Yankees reliever Brooks Kriske. He appeared in 23 games for Minnesota in his rookie campaign, hitting .136/.177/.288 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI. In 2022, Celestino appeared in 122 contests with the Twins, slashing .238/.313/.302 with 2 home runs and 24 RBI.

On March 2, 2023, Celestino suffered a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, and underwent thumb surgery that included a recovery period of 6–8 weeks.[11] He was activated from the injured list on June 18, and was subsequently optioned to the Triple–A St. Paul Saints.[12] Celestino did not play in a game for Minnesota, hitting .243 with 4 home runs and 31 RBI in 55 games for St. Paul. On October 1, Celestino was designated for assignment by Minnesota.[13] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to St. Paul on October 5.[14] Celestino elected free agency on November 6.[15]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On November 20, 2023, Celestino signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[16] In 67 games for the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians in 2024, Celestino batted .271/.349/.356 with three home runs, 25 RBI, and nine stolen bases.

Chicago Cubs

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On July 25, 2024, Celestino was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations.[17] In 5 games for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, he went 6–for–19 (.316) with one RBI. Celestino was released by the Cubs organization on August 11.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Jesse Sanchez (July 3, 2019). "Astros sign int'l OF prospect Celestino". MLB.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  2. ^ Rhett Bollinger (July 27, 2018). "Twins' 2nd deal sends Pressly to Astros". MLB.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  3. ^ J.J. Cooper (July 28, 2018). "Astros Acquire Ryan Pressly, Twins Gets Plenty Of Upside". Baseball America. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Jeff Johnson (July 1, 2019). "Gilberto Celestino shows off skills that make him a Minnesota Twins prospect". The Gazette. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  5. ^ Duane Cross (November 18, 2019). "Twins prospects up the ante in arms race". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Celestino's fantastic catch leads Dominican Republic to first-ever Premier12 win". WBSC. November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  7. ^ Betsy Helfand (November 20, 2019). "Twins add five to 40-man roster before Wednesday night's deadline". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  8. ^ La Velle E. Neal III (November 20, 2019). "Jhoan Duran, four others added to Twins' roster". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  9. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". June 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "Twins Recall Ryan Jeffers, Gilberto Celestino". June 2, 2021.
  11. ^ "Twins' Gilberto Celestino: Out 6-8 weeks with thumb injury". cbssports.com. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  12. ^ "Twins' Gilberto Celestino: Optioned after coming off IL". cbssports.com. June 18, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "Twins' Gilberto Celestino: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. October 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  14. ^ "Twins' Gilberto Celestino: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  16. ^ "Pirates Sign Gilberto Celestino to Minor League Deal". November 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "Cubs trade for minor league outfielder Gilberto Celestino". nbcsportschicago.com. July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  18. ^ "Transactions".
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