Christian Yelich

Christian Yelich
Yelich with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018
Milwaukee Brewers – No. 22
Outfielder
Born: (1991-12-05) December 5, 1991
Thousand Oaks, California
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 23, 2013, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through September 29, 2018)
Batting average .296
Home runs 93
Runs batted in 399
Stolen bases 93
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
World Baseball Classic
2017 Los Angeles Team

Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins. Yelich was drafted out of high school by the Marlins in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. Yelich bats from the left and throws right-handed.[1]

Career

Amateur career

Yelich was born in Thousand Oaks, California, and attended Westlake High School.[2] During his freshman year he batted .373 with 25 hits and 16 strikeouts out of 67 at bats.[3] In his sophomore year he batted .341 with 31 hits and 24 strikeouts in 91 at bats.[4] During Yelich's junior year he batted .489 with 46 hits and struck out 6 times.[5] In his senior year he batted .451 with 37 hits, nine strikeouts and nine home runs in 82 at bats.[6] He was awarded Second Team All-American by Max Preps and was ranked 34 among the top 100 players in the nation in high school.[7]

Miami Marlins

Yelich was offered a scholarship to play at the collegiate level with the Miami Hurricanes baseball team.[8] However, he was drafted by the Marlins 23rd overall in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft and agreed to a $1.7 million signing bonus on August 17, shortly before the deadline to sign 2010 draftees was about to pass.[9][10] Yelich played for the Gulf Coast League Marlins for six games, getting nine hits and seven strikeouts with a batting average of .375 before being advanced to Class-A. He played in six games for the Greensboro Grasshoppers in 2010, batting .348. In 2011, he batted .261 with 43 hits, six strikeouts and four home runs. Yelich was named the Marlins' Minor League Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2012.[11][12]

On July 23, 2013, the Marlins promoted Yelich to the major leagues from the Double-A Jacksonville Suns.[13][14] He had a fantastic 2014 season, batting .284 with 21 steals out of the leadoff spot for the Miami Marlins.[15] He also won a Gold Glove Award in left field, becoming the franchise's youngest ever player and first outfielder to win the award.[16][17][18] During the season, Yelich set a franchise record for fielding percentage in left field, at .996.[19] Yelich and the Marlins finalized a seven-year, $49.57 million contract extension on March 22, 2015.[20] He struggled to start the season, and was placed on the disabled list in April with lower back strain before making his return on May 8.[21][22] His batting average reached a season low of .178 on May 22.[23] In August, Yelich bruised his right knee and was again placed on the disabled list.[24] Yelich had improved from his earlier offensive struggles and was hitting .275/.343/.376 with six home runs, 29 RBIs and fourteen stolen bases up to that point in the season.[25][26] Despite aggravating the injury shortly after his return, Yelich remained an active player for the quality of his bat.[27][28] Near the end of the season, Yelich shared the field with Marcell Ozuna, the outfielder who had replaced him during his second stint on the disabled list.[29] Yelich closed the 2015 season with a .300 average.[23]

Yelich was projected to bat third to start 2016.[30] He hit well in that spot, and managed to increase his power output.[31][32] On April 23, in a game against the San Francisco Giants, Yelich hit three doubles, which tied a franchise record.[33] Defensively, Yelich was a starting outfielder, alongside Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton.[34] In late May, Yelich missed some time due to back spasms.[35][36] After Stanton was placed on the disabled list, Ozuna played Stanton's usual position in right field, while Yelich took Ozuna's spot in center on days that backup outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was unavailable.[37]

Milwaukee Brewers

On January 25, 2018, the Marlins traded Yelich to the Milwaukee Brewers for Lewis Brinson, Isan Díaz, Monte Harrison, and Jordan Yamamoto.[38] Yelich was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game after batting .285 with 11 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.[39] Yelich, a reserve for the National League, replaced Matt Kemp in left field and went 1-for-3, hitting a solo home run in an 8–6 extra-inning loss to the American League. On August 29, Yelich hit for the cycle against the Cincinnati Reds, collecting a total of six hits in the game.[40] On September 2, Yelich hit his first career grand slam, in a game against the Washington Nationals.[41] On September 17, Yelich hit for the cycle, also against the Cincinnati Reds, for the 2nd time in 19 days, becoming the fifth player in MLB history to hit two cycles in the same season and the first player in MLB history to hit multiple cycles against the same team in the same season.[42]

Yelich finished the 2018 season with a .326/.402/.598 slash line, 36 homers, and 110 RBIs, winning the first National League Batting title in Milwaukee Brewers history, but narrowly falling short of a triple crown.[43][44]

International career

He played for the United States national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Following the conclusion of the tournament, he was named to the All-World Baseball Classic team.[45]

And also, September 10, 2018, he was selected MLB All-Stars at 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[46]

Personal life

Yelich's paternal grandfather is of Serb descent.[47] Yelich's maternal great-grandfather was American football player Fred Gehrke.[2] An uncle, Chris Yelich, played football for the UCLA Bruins.[48] Yelich is the oldest of three children; his brothers are Collin and Cameron.[49] Collin was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[50] Cameron is a United States Marine.[51][52] His maternal grandfather is Japanese.[53]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rosiak, Todd. "Right field: Christian Yelich's defensive versatility will be tested". Journal Sentinel. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  2. 1 2 Capozzi, Joe (February 9, 2013). "Miami Marlins outfield prospect Christian Yelich on path to majors". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Christian Yelich Freshman Stats". Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Christian Yelich Sophomore Stats". Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Christian Yelich Junior Stats". Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Christian Yelich Senior Stats". Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ http://www.maxpreps.com/baseball-recruiting/baseball-spring-10/r2IdWSY1Ed-UswAcxJTdpg/2010-top-100-/top-recruits.htm
  8. ↑ Millian, Jorge (August 21, 2010). "Top pick Christian Yelich picked Marlins over UM". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan C. (August 17, 2010). "Marlins, first-rounder Yelich agree just before deadline". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Marlins sign Yelich for $1.7 million bonus". USA Today. Associated Press. August 17, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  11. ↑ Duarte, Shaunte (March 30, 2012). "Marlins Top Prospects: #1 Christian Yelich". MILB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  12. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan C. (September 29, 2012). "Marlins recognize top minor leaguers Yelich, Fernandez". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  13. ↑ Spencer, Clark (July 24, 2013). "Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick called up to join the Marlins". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Marlins call up two outfield prospects". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 23, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  15. ↑ Fialkov, Harvey (July 3, 2015). "Christian Yelich returning to form". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  16. ↑ De Nicola, Christina (November 4, 2014). "Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich wins NL Gold Glove". Fox Sports. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  17. ↑ Navarro, Manny (November 4, 2014). "Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich wins Gold Glove". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  18. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (November 4, 2014). "Yelich first Marlins outfielder to win Gold Glove". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  19. ↑ Davis, Craig (November 3, 2014). "Marlins' Christian Yelich wins first Gold Glove". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  20. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (March 22, 2015). "Marlins lock up Yelich with seven-year pact". MLB.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  21. ↑ Navarro, Manny (April 24, 2015). "Miami Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich placed on disabled list". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Marlins activate LF Christian Yelich off DL; Reid Brignac sent down". Sun Sentinel. May 8, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  23. 1 2 D'Angelo, Tom (February 22, 2016). "After hot 2015 finish, Christian Yelich doesn't want another cold start". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Miami Marlins put Christian Yelich on disabled list". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 15, 2015. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2016 – via ESPN.com.
  25. ↑ Wilaj, Steve (August 11, 2015). "Yelich day to day with right knee injury". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  26. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (August 14, 2015). "Knee swelling continues to hamper Yelich". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  27. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (August 28, 2015). "No DL stint, but Yelich likely to miss rest of trip". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  28. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (August 30, 2015). "Yelich to be handled carefully after pinch-hit". Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  29. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (September 2, 2015). "Yelich, Ozuna beginning to click for Marlins". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  30. ↑ Fernandez, Andre C. (March 31, 2016). "Marlins' Christian Yelich 'excited' about starting fresh in 2016". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  31. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (June 18, 2016). "Yelich's power surfacing as No. 3 hitter". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  32. ↑ Putterman, Alex (May 14, 2016). "Yelich finding pop in his bat this season". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  33. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (April 23, 2016). "Yelich's double trio not enough for Marlins". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  34. ↑ Bloom, Barry M. (April 13, 2016). "Tough for Ichiro to crack Marlins' talented outfield". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  35. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (May 22, 2016). "Ichiro, 42, wows with 4 hits in Marlins' win". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  36. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (May 22, 2016). "Yelich, Giancarlo not being rushed back". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  37. ↑ Healey, Tim (August 21, 2016). "Marlins option Brian Ellington to New Orleans to activate A.J. Ramos". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Brewers acquire OF Christian Yelich from rebuilding Marlins". ESPN.com. January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  39. ↑ Wagner, Andrew (July 9, 2018). "Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, Josh Hader selected to All-Star Game; Jesus Aguilar needs fans' votes". Wisconsin State Journal – via madison.com.
  40. ↑ McCalvy, Adam (August 29, 2018). "Yelich completes cycle with game-tying triple". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  41. ↑ McCalvy, Adam (September 2, 2018). "Yelich hits 1st career slam as Crew takes series". MLB.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  42. ↑ McCalvy, Adam (September 17, 2018). "Yelich's historic bi-cycle vs. Reds fuels Crew". MLB.com. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  43. ↑ McCalvy, Adam. "Yelich wins batting title, falls shy of Triple Crown". MLB. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  44. ↑ Haudricourt, Tom. "Christian Yelich gets an extra day to shoot for first Triple Crown in NL in 81 years". Journal Sentinel. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  45. ↑ "World Baseball Classic: Previous champs, results, medal count, MVPs, All-WBC teams", CBS Sports.
  46. ↑ "Eight Players Selected for Japan All-Star Series". The Official Site of Major League Baseball Players Association. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  47. ↑ http://mojahercegovina.com/kristijan-jelic-americka-bejzbol-senzacija-trebinjskog-porijekla/ "Serbian Article about Yelich's Great Grandfather
  48. ↑ Rodriguez, Juan C. (March 4, 2014). "Marlins notes: Yelich branches off family football tree". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  49. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (December 23, 2013). "Yelich shares his favorite holiday memories". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  50. ↑ Andrade, Jonathan (July 23, 2015). "Yelich is a name to remember". Thousand Oaks Acorn. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  51. ↑ Strang, Katie (July 2, 2016). "Marlins with military ties look forward to 'perfect weekend' at Fort Bragg". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  52. ↑ Frisaro, Joe (June 29, 2016). "Fort Bragg trip hits home for Yelich". MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  53. ↑ 伊武弘多 (March 28, 2015). "イチローにも憧れる23歳　首位打者候補の日系3世は"マーリンズ版ジーター"" (in Japanese). Full-Count. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
Achievements
Preceded by
Mookie Betts		 Hitting for the cycle
August 29, 2018		 Succeeded by
Christian Yelich
Preceded by
Christian Yelich		 Hitting for the cycle
September 17, 2018		 Succeeded by
Charlie Blackmon
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