The Fargo-Moorehead Redhawks have released outfielder Yoelqui Céspedes. The slugger went 0-for-11 with six strikeouts during his time in the American Association. This is the second release of the young Cuban in a little less than two months, Céspedes was released by the White Sox on March 30th.
The outfielder was #1 ranked prospect of the International signing period of 2020, when he signed for $2M dollars with the team from the Southside of Chicago. Yoenis Céspedes’ younger brother defected from the Cuban National Team during an incursion in the defunct Can-Am League and worked out in the Bahamas until he was declared a free agent by MLB.
The @FMRedHawks have released outfielder @ycespedes51. The slugger went 0-for-11 with six strikeouts during his time in @AA_Baseball. #Cubanbaseballdigest #AmericanAssociation pic.twitter.com/qct9HXcSwb
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) May 17, 2024
In his three seasons in the Sox’s farm system he slashed .253/.331/.410/.741 while also hitting 35 longballs and driving in 123 runs. During his four seasons in the Serie Nacional he slashed .287/.352/.415/.766, while also hitting 12 homers and driving in 98 runs. Céspedes has seen action in the World Baseball Classic and other international competitions with the Cuban National Team.
Although he has plenty of raw power the native of Yara, Cuba struck out an eye-popping 379 times in 1,168 at-bats during his time in Chicago. With his release it can be said that Céspedes who was a categorized as a bust in Chicago could be calling it a career after his latest release.