Gilberto Celestino

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

Houston Astros

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

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

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

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

  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.[permanent dead link‍]
  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".