Yuli Gurriel is one of the most polarizing Cuban baseball players, either you like him or you don’t. In February 2016, the native of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba defected with his brother while playing with the Ciego de Ávila team that was competing in the Caribbean Series in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the rest in history.
A few days ago Gurriel was in the news again after signing a Minor League agreement with the Atlanta Braves and this Tuesday the team’s Triple-A squad (Gwinnett Stripers) activated him for the beginning of a series against the Baltimore Orioles’ farm club, the Norfolk Tides. Gurriel had been getting in shape at the Atlanta Braves complex in North Port and will be joined Gwinnett yesterday.
Yuli Gurriel will report today to Gwinnett, Triple-A, per sources.
He has not played in the Minor Leagues since the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/37zu0jJT0w
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) April 23, 2024
His performance in minors will determine whether he is called up to the majors. Gurriel was a key piece in the majority of Houston Astros’ recently playoff runs and also greatly influenced the Miami Marlins’ classification for the 2023 Postseason. Last year he played his eighth season in MLB, but this time it was different, he had the challenge of establishing himself in a new organization (Marlins), the first baseman even had some key moments during the season with the fish.
The last time Gurriel played in the minor leagues was in 2018, when he did so in five games with Corpus Christi (AAA), a farm club in Houston Astros organization. He hit .429 with four doubles and three RBIs during that span. He returned to the team in 2018 which was converted to a Double-A affiliate during his rehab stint hitting a double, a home run and driving in three runs in five games.
In June 2024, “La Piña” as he is known by the Cuban faithful will turn 40 and everything indicates that he will have a new opportunity to make the Big Show. Last year with the Marlins he saw action in 108 games, swatting 16 doubles, three triples, four home runs and drove knocking in 27 runs. During his time in the big leagues Gurriel slashes .281/.326/.440/.766, with 939 hits in 3,344 at-bats, 328 extra-base hits (222 2B, 8 3B and 98 HR) and 462 RBIs.