Cheslor Cuthbert

Cheslor Cuthbert
Cuthbert with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2015
Saimanes de Aragua
Third baseman
Born: (1992-11-16) November 16, 1992 (age 31)
Corn Islands, Nicaragua
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 7, 2015, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Batting average.250
Home run27
Runs batted in119
Teams

Cheslor Jesly Cuthbert (/ˈtʃɛslɔːr ˈkʌθbərt/; born November 16, 1992) is a Nicaraguan professional baseball third baseman for the Samanes de Aragua of the Venezuelan Major League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox.

Early life

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Cuthbert was born and raised on Corn Islands, Nicaragua, where his mother is from. His father is from the town of Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua. Growing up he spoke an English Creole rather than Spanish and had to balance learning Spanish while training with the Nicaraguan National Baseball team.[1]

Professional career

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Kansas City Royals

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The Kansas City Royals signed Cuthbert as an international free agent in 2009, for a $1.35 million signing bonus. He made his professional debut in 2010.[2] Prior to the 2012 season, Baseball America rated Cuthbert the 84th best prospect in baseball.[3] After the 2012 season, he played for the Nicaraguan national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifying Tournament.[4]

The Royals added Cuthbert to their 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[5] Cuthbert began the 2014 season with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Double–A Texas League. When the Royals promoted third baseman Hunter Dozier to the Naturals, Cuthbert began playing first base and second base.[6] He began the 2015 season with the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League,[7] and represented the Royals at the 2015 All-Star Futures Game.[8]

The Royals promoted Cuthbert to the major leagues on July 7, 2015, when Mike Moustakas was placed on family leave.[9] Cuthbert got his first major league hit, a ground-ball single into left field the same day.[citation needed] Cuthbert was recalled from Triple–A Omaha on September 1, 2015. On September 2, Cuthbert hit his first major league home run, a two-run shot off Detroit's Guido Knudson.[10]

Cuthbert was recalled from Triple–A Omaha on May 7, 2016 when Mike Moustakas was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured finger.[11] In 128 games, he hit .274 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs.

In 58 games for the Royals in 2017, he hit .231 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI. He began the 2018 season as the Royals utility player but struggled through the season, hitting .194 in 30 games.[12]

In 2019, Cuthbert played in 87 games for the Royals, he put up better numbers than he had done the previous two seasons combined, as he finished with 330 plate appearances, hitting .246 with 9 home runs and 40 RBI. On December 2, 2019, Cuthbert was non-tendered and became a free agent.[13]

Chicago White Sox

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On December 19, 2019, Cuthbert signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox and was invited to spring training.[14] Prior to the season, he was selected to the Nicaragua national baseball team roster at the 2021 World Baseball Classic Qualifier. He was designated for assignment on July 27, 2020.[15]

Cincinnati Reds

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On December 8, 2020, Cuthbert signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization, and was invited to spring training.[16] In 21 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, Cuthbert slashed .203/.330/.338 before he was released on June 1, 2021.[17]

New York Mets

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On June 2, 2021, Cuthbert signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization.[18] In 76 games for the Triple–A Syracuse Mets, he hit .228/.328/.461 with 14 home runs and 36 RBI. Cuthbert elected free agency following the season on November 7.[19]

On January 11, 2022, Cuthbert signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[20] However, on April 13, Cuthbert requested special permission to return home to Venezuela, and left the team.[21]

Saimanes de Aragua

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In May 2023, Cuthbert signed with the Saimanes de Aragua of the Venezuelan Major League.

Personal life

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Cuthbert has a son and a daughter. He lives in Corn Island during the offseason and has a chicken farm of over 150 roosters and 80 hens.[22] Cuthbert's younger cousin, Rodney Theophile, is a Washington Nationals pitching prospect.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "A Corn Island tale: The Royals' Cheslor Cuthbert had to leave home and learn Spanish before he could make the major leagues – The Athletic". Theathletic.com. May 8, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. ^ Mitchell, Bill (March 28, 2012). "Royals' Cuthbert Credits His Corn Island Roots". Baseball America. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  3. ^ "Prospects: Rankings: Top 100 Prospects: 2012 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 21, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  4. ^ Rogers, Tim (November 18, 2012). "Nicaragua knocked out of World Baseball Classic". The Nicaragua Dispatch. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  5. ^ "Royals add four to 40-man roster, drop three". MLB.com. November 20, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  6. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (August 8, 2014). "Prospect Cheslor Cuthbert could be September protection if Hosmer injury lingers". FOX Sports Kansas City. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  7. ^ Hernández, Gerald (April 24, 2015). "Tercer jonrón de Cheslor Cuthbert esta temporada en Triple A". La Prensa (in Spanish). Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  8. ^ "KC's Mondesi, Cuthbert named to Futures Game". Kansas City Royals. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  9. ^ "The Kansas City Star". Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  10. ^ The Kansas City Star (subscription required)
  11. ^ Flanagan, Jeffrey (May 7, 2016). "Moose lands on DL with fractured left thumb. Third baseman expected to miss 2-3 weeks; Cuthbert recalled from Omaha". mlb.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  12. ^ "Cheslor Cuthbert Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  13. ^ "Royals part ways with four players ahead of non-tender deadline". Fox Sports Kansas City. December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  14. ^ "White Sox's Cheslor Cuthbert: Lands with White Sox". cbssports.com. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Todd, Jeff (July 27, 2020). "White Sox Place Reynaldo Lopez On IL; Select Ryan Goins & Designate Cheslor Cuthbert". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  16. ^ Mark Polishuk (December 8, 2020). "Reds Sign Cheslor Cuthbert To Minors Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "Reds Release Nicky Delmonico, Cheslor Cuthbert". Mlbtraderumors.com. June 2021.
  18. ^ "Mets Sign Cheslor Cuthbert to Minor League Contract". Mlbtraderumors.com. June 4, 2021.
  19. ^ "2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  20. ^ "Los Leones anuncian refuerzo de Grandes Ligas". Leones.mx (in Spanish). January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  21. ^ "Leones will open 2022 season after the surprise exit of their 3rd baseman". yucatanmagazine.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  22. ^ "The Royals' Cheslor Cuthbert is counting his chickens—literally – The Athletic". Theathletic.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Cuthbert, del llanto a la sonrisa • El Nuevo Diario". Elnuevodiario.com.ni. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
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