César Prieto
| César Prieto | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Prieto with the Bowie Baysox in 2022 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals – No. 31 | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: May 10, 1999 Cienfuegos, Cuba | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 29, 2025, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Batting average | .167 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 0 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
César Prieto (born May 10, 1999[1]) is a Cuban professional baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.
Career
Prieto was a member of the Cuba national baseball team. He also joined the Elefantes de Cienfuegos in 2017. His performance as an infielder and batter was considered one of the best in Cuba, and he won the Rookie of the Year Award in the 2018–19 season. Prieto defected to the United States in 2021 while in Florida for the qualifying tournament for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[2][3]
Baltimore Orioles
On January 16, 2022, Prieto signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an international free agent for a bonus of $650,000.[4] He split the season between the High–A Aberdeen IronBirds and Double–A Bowie Baysox. In 115 total contests, Prieto batted .273/.314/.404 with 11 home runs and 57 RBI.[5]
In 2023, Prieto played in 58 games for Bowie, hitting .364 with 4 home runs and 29 RBI before he was promoted to the Triple–A Norfolk Tides. In 27 games for Norfolk, he slashed .317/.365/.471 with 2 home runs and 20 RBI.[6]
St. Louis Cardinals
On August 1, 2023, Prieto, Drew Rom, and Zack Showalter were traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Jack Flaherty.[7] He made 38 appearances down the stretch for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, batting .270/.314/.387 with four home runs, 20 RBI, and two stolen bases. Prieto made 129 appearances for Memphis during the 2024 campaign, slashing .279/.318/.445 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI.[8]
Prieto began the 2025 season back with Triple-A Memphis, batting .295/.359/.448 with nine home runs, 62 RBI, and 11 stolen bases across 107 appearances.[9] On August 29, 2025, Prieto was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] He made his major league debut that day the Cincinnati Reds, a game which the Cardinals won 7-5 in 10 innings.[11]
References
- ^ "Cuban baseball star defects on arrival in US". www.theaustralian.com.au. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ^ "Who is César Prieto? Breaking Down Cuba's Top Baseball Talent After Defection to U.S." 27 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ^ "César Prieto: Cuban baseball player defects on Florida trip". BBC News. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- ^ "César Prieto gives Orioles potential 2022 infield help as part of international signing class". 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Orioles prospect season in review: César Prieto". camdenchat.com. 10 October 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "Cesar Prieto - Stats - Batting". fangraphs.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Axisa, Mile (August 2023). "Jack Flaherty trade: Orioles acquire starting pitcher in deadline deal with Cardinals". CBSSports.com.
- ^ "Cesar Prieto Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Cardinals To Select Cesar Prieto". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ Adams, Steve (August 29, 2025). "Cardinals To Promote Jimmy Crooks". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
- ^ Denton, John (2025-08-30). "Cardinals call up Jimmy Crooks, César Prieto". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference · Baseball Reference (Minors)