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Jasseel De La Cruz
Sioux City Explorers
Pitcher
Born: (1997-06-26) June 26, 1997 (age 26)
Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Jasseel De La Cruz (born June 26, 1997) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. De La Cruz is currently a phantom ballplayer, having spent stints in 2020 and 2021 on the Atlanta Braves' active roster but never having appeared in a major league game.

Career

Atlanta Braves

De La Cruz signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent on June 1, 2015. [1] He spent his first professional season of 2015 with the DSL Braves, going 0–1 with a 7.11 ERA in 6 innings. He split the 2016 season between the DSL and the GCL Braves, going a combined 4–0 with a 2.18 ERA in 41 innings. He split the 2017 season between the GCL and the Danville Braves, going a combined 2–4 with a 3.80 ERA in 42+23 innings. He played for the Rome Braves in 2018, going 3–4 with a 3.83 ERA in 69 innings. [2] De La Cruz split the 2019 season between Rome, Florida Fire Frogs, and Mississippi Braves, going a combined 7–9 with a 3.25 ERA over 133 innings. On May 18, 2019, De La Cruz threw a no-hitter for the Florida Fire Frogs. [3] [4]

On November 19, 2019, the Braves added De La Cruz was added to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. [5] On September 15, 2020, De La Cruz was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. [6] He was optioned down the next day without making a major league appearance. On May 8, 2021, De La Cruz was again promoted to the majors but was again sent down on May 10 without playing. [7] Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, De La Cruz was not tendered a contract, making him a free agent. [8]

On March 13, 2022, De La Cruz re-signed with the Braves organization on a minor league contract. [9] He split the year between the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers, Double–A Mississippi Braves, and rookie–level Florida Complex League Braves. In 20 combined appearances, he struggled to a 7.18 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 26+13 innings of work. De La Cruz elected free agency after the season on November 10. [10]

Oakland Athletics

On November 29, 2022, De La Cruz signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics. [11] He spent the majority of the 2023 season with the Double–A Midland RockHounds, also appearing in 6 games for the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Athletics. In 18 relief outings for Midland, De La Cruz struggled to a 13.73 ERA with 29 strikeouts across 29+23 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023. [12]

Sioux City Explorers

On February 20, 2024, De La Cruz signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. [13]

References

  1. ^ "Jasseel De La Cruz player page". MLB.com. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Wayne Cavadi (April 12, 2018). "Atlanta Braves: A first look at RHP Jasseel De La Cruz". Minor League Baseball. SB Nation. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  3. ^ Tim Tucker (May 19, 2019). "Braves' No. 25 prospect throws no-hitter on just 89 pitches". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  4. ^ Rob Terranova (May 18, 2019). "De La Cruz hurls Fire Frogs' first no-no". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  5. ^ Gabriel Burns (November 19, 2019). "Braves protect Pache, 4 others from Rule 5 draft". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Steve Adams (2020-09-15). "Braves Promote Jasseel De La Cruz". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  7. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com.
  8. ^ Bowman, Mark (November 30, 2021). "Camargo, Rodríguez among 3 non-tendered". MLB.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Jasseel de la Cruz Stats, Fantasy & News".
  10. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Oakland A's sign former prospect Jasseel De La Cruz". whitecleatbeat.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "2024 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.

External links