Didi Gregorius

Didi Gregorius

Gregorious in 2015
New York Yankees – No. 18
Shortstop
Born: February 18, 1990
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 5, 2012 for the Cincinnati Reds
Career statistics
(through April 29, 2015)
Batting average .239
Home runs 13
Runs batted in 61
Teams

Mariekson Julius Gregorius, OON (born February 18, 1990), commonly known as Didi Gregorius, is a Dutch professional baseball shortstop for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds in 2012 and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013 and 2014.

Professional career

Cincinnati Reds

Gregorius signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 2007.[1] He chose to sign with the Reds rather than the Seattle Mariners or San Diego Padres because the Reds were willing to bring him to the United States, while San Diego and Seattle planned to start Gregorius' career in either the Dominican Summer League or the Venezuelan Summer League.[2] He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Reds of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2008, playing in 31 games and recording a .155 batting average in 109 plate appearances. The next year, the Reds assigned Gregorius to the Billings Mustangs of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, and batted .314 in 255 plate appearances. The Reds promoted Gregorius to the Sarasota Reds of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, where he had a .254 average in 74 plate appearances.[3] Gregorius played for the Dayton Dragons of the Class A Midwest League in 2010, where he batted .273.[4]

In 2011, Gregorius missed the first two months of the season after he was diagnosed with a kidney disorder.[5] He was assigned to the Bakersfield Blaze of the Class A-Advanced California League, and was promoted to the Carolina Mudcats of the Class AA Southern League. Combined, he had a .289 batting average, seven home runs and 44 runs batted in (RBIs) in 89 games played. After the season, the Reds added Gregorius to their 40 man roster to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.[6]

Gregorius began the 2012 season with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, their new affiliate in the Southern League, where he had a .278 batting average in 81 games. The Reds promoted him to the Louisville Bats of the Class AAA International League, where he batted .243 in 48 games.[7] On September 1, 2012, the Reds promoted Gregorius to the major leagues as a September call-up.[8] Gregorius made his major league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies, on September 5, 2012. He played in eight games for the Reds,[2] and recorded six hits in 20 at-bats (.300).[7] After the season, the Reds assigned Gregorius to play in the Arizona Fall League.[3]

Arizona Diamondbacks

Gregorius batting for Arizona on August 9, 2013

As Gregorius was blocked on the Reds by starting shortstop Zack Cozart,[2] the Reds traded Gregorius to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a three team trade that also involved the Cleveland Indians after the 2012 season. The Reds sent Gregorius to Cleveland along with Drew Stubbs in exchange for Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald. The Indians then traded Gregorius to Arizona with reliever Tony Sipp and infielder Lars Anderson for pitchers Trevor Bauer, Bryan Shaw and Matt Albers.[9][10]

Gregorius began the 2013 season in the minor leagues. He was promoted to the Diamondbacks on April 18,[11] due to an injury to starting second baseman Aaron Hill. In his first game with the Diamondbacks, Gregorius hit his first career home run off of Phil Hughes on the first pitch of his first at-bat.[12] On April 27, he was hit in the batting helmet by a 93-mile-per-hour (150 km/h) fastball thrown by Josh Outman,[13] which caused a mild concussion. He was placed on the seven-day disabled list for concussions, and returned to the Diamondbacks' lineup the next week.[14] Gregorius batted .252 in 103 games for the Diamondbacks, but began to lose playing time later in the season due to his struggles against left-handed pitching; he batted .200 with a .267 on-base percentage against left-handers.[11]

In spring training in 2014, Gregorius competed for the starting shortstop role with Chris Owings, a prospect in the Diamondbacks' organization.[15] The Diamondbacks named Owings their starting shortstop for Opening Day, and sent Gregorius to the Reno Aces of the PCL.[16] On April 19, 2014, Gregorius hit three home runs which gave the Aces a 10-7 win over the Las Vegas 51s.[17] In June, the Diamondbacks promoted Gregorius after an injury to backup infielder Cliff Pennington, and he split playing time with Owings.[18]

New York Yankees

Needing to acquire a shortstop to succeed the retiring Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees acquired Gregorius in a three-team trade on December 5, 2014, in which the Yankees sent Shane Greene to the Detroit Tigers and the Tigers sent Robbie Ray and Domingo Leyba to the Diamondbacks.[19]

International career

Gregorius played for the Dutch national baseball team in the 2011 Baseball World Cup. After beating Cuba in the final, the members of the team were named Knights of the Order of Orange-Nassau.[20] Gregorius strained the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow of his throwing arm while preparing for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, which prevented him from competing in the tournament.[7]

Personal life

Gregorius was born in Amsterdam while his father, Johannes, played in Honkbal Hoofdklasse.[2] He was raised in Curaçao.[21] His brother, Johnny, is an infielder playing in Curaçao.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Kepner, Tyler (December 5, 2014). "Jumping Into Big Shoes". New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Jules Tompkins (May 29, 2013). "Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Didi Gregorius taking successes in stride". arizonasports.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "In time, Didi's talents will shine with Arizona". Major League Baseball. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Dragons Player in the Major Leagues # 56: Didi Gregorius - Dayton Dragons News". Dayton Dragons. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ Fox Sports. "kidney-ailment-hasnt-stopped-d-backs-gregorius". FOX Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  6. ↑ Mark Sheldon (November 18, 2011). "Reds add six players to 40-man roster". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Didi Gregorius of Arizona Diamondbacks has elbow injury - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ Gilbert, Steve; Mayo, Jonathan (December 11, 2012). "D-backs land Gregorius, say Upton trade unlikely". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  9. ↑ Zack Meisel (December 11, 2012). "Tribe gets Bauer from D-backs, Choo heads to Reds". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  10. ↑ McManaman, Bob (December 11, 2012). "Arizona Diamondbacks acquire shortstop Didi Gregorius". Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "D-backs expect spring showdown between Owings, Didi". Arizona Diamondbacks. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  12. ↑ Gilbert, Steve (April 18, 2013). "Gregorius can't suppress smiles after first homer". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Gregorius exits after taking pitch to the head". Major League Baseball. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Gregorius returns from concussion". Arizona Diamondbacks. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Arizona Diamindbacks expect Spring Training showdown between Chris Owings, Didi Gregorius | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. November 13, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  16. ↑ Zach Buchanan, azcentral sports (March 29, 2014). "Diamondbacks choose Chris Owings at SS, keep 8 relievers". azcentral.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Didi Gregorius Hits Walk Off Homer" (Press release). KTVN. April 19, 2014. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  18. ↑ Nick Piecoro, azcentral sports (June 5, 2014). "Diamondbacks' Chris Owings, Didi Gregorius both expected to play". azcentral.com.
  19. ↑ "New York Yankees acquire shortstop Didi Gregorius from Arizona Diamondbacks in three-team trade - ESPN New York". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Gregorius arrives in New York with title: Sir Didi". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 12, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  21. ↑ Jesse Sanchez (April 21, 2013). "Shortstop trio putting Curacao on the map". Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.

External links