1. Overview
Delino Diaab DeShields Jr. (born August 16, 1992) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds. Known for his speed, DeShields Jr. was a first-round draft pick by the Houston Astros in 2010. During his career, he has been recognized for his performance, including being named American League Rookie of the Month in May 2015. He is the son of former MLB player Delino DeShields and the brother of professional basketball player Diamond DeShields. While commonly known as Delino DeShields Jr., DeShields and his father have different middle names. His nickname is Poppa.
2. Early Life and Background
DeShields Jr., the eldest of his father's five children, was raised in the Atlanta area. He attended Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia, where he excelled in both baseball and American football. In his senior year at Woodward, he demonstrated significant athletic prowess, hitting nine home runs, batting .415, and stealing 29 bases in baseball. His talent also garnered attention in football, where he was a highly regarded running back. He received recruitment offers for football from prominent collegiate programs such as the Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels. Despite these opportunities, DeShields Jr. ultimately chose to pursue a career in professional baseball. He was also recruited by the LSU Tigers for baseball, but they offered only a half-scholarship due to his stated desire to play professionally.
3. Professional Career
Delino DeShields Jr.'s professional baseball career began with his selection in the 2010 MLB draft and spanned various organizations, including multiple stints with the Texas Rangers, and time in independent and Mexican leagues.
3.1. Draft and Minor League Career
The Houston Astros selected DeShields Jr. in the first round as the eighth overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft. Following his selection, the Astros signed him to a signing bonus of 2.15 M USD. Astros general manager Ed Wade indicated the plan was to send DeShields to the rookie-level Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League upon signing, with a transition to second baseman during the offseason.
In 2010, DeShields played 16 games for Greeneville and two for the GCL Astros. He also played for the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League, the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League, and the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Double-A Texas League. In 2011, he transitioned from center fielder to second baseman, a position his father also played. That year, he played for the A-level Lexington Legends, where his batting average was .220. However, in 2012, his batting improved, leading to more opportunities on base. He recorded 83 stolen bases in 111 games for the A-level Lexington, and an additional 18 stolen bases in 24 games for the A+ level Lancaster JetHawks, totaling 101 stolen bases in 135 games. This impressive figure was the second-highest in the minor leagues, trailing only Billy Hamilton's 155 stolen bases. On April 18, 2014, while playing for the Corpus Christi Hooks, DeShields Jr. was hit in the face by a 90 mph pitch, resulting in a non-displaced maxillary sinus fracture.
3.2. Texas Rangers
At the 2014 Winter Meetings, the Texas Rangers selected DeShields Jr. from the Astros in the Rule 5 draft. He successfully made the Rangers' Opening Day roster for the 2015 season. On April 8, 2015, he recorded his first major league hit, an infield single against Dan Otero of the Oakland Athletics. On June 3, 2015, DeShields Jr. was named American League Rookie of the Month for May, having batted .296 and scoring 22 runs during the month. On August 14, he hit his first Major League home run against the Tampa Bay Rays. Following the 2015 season, he changed his uniform number from 7 to 3. He finished seventh in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, receiving one third-place vote, and was voted the Texas Rangers' Rookie of the Year by his teammates and coaches. In 121 games in 2015, he batted .261 with two home runs, 37 RBI, and a .344 on-base percentage. He also recorded 25 stolen bases, tied for fifth in the American League, showcasing his inherited speed. He performed well in scoring positions, batting .304. Defensively, he played 87 games in center field and 35 in left field, with fielding percentages of .976 and .981 respectively, and a DRS of -10 in center field and +1 in left field.
DeShields Jr. began the 2016 season as the Rangers' starting center fielder but was later demoted to the Triple-A Round Rock Express due to inconsistency, eventually losing his starting role to Ian Desmond. He concluded the 2016 season with a .209 batting average, four home run, 13 RBI, and eight stolen bases in 74 games. He returned to the 2017 Opening Day roster. On April 21, 2017, he hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 13th inning against the Kansas City Royals. In 2017, he played 60 games in left field and 51 in center field. He recorded six assists and two double plays as a left fielder, with a .991 fielding percentage. As a center fielder, he had three assists, one error, and a .991 fielding percentage.
On March 31, 2018, DeShields Jr. experienced pain in his left hand after swinging and was diagnosed with a broken hamate bone, which sidelined him for four to six weeks. He finished the 2018 season with a .216 batting average, two home runs, and 20 stolen bases. In 2019, he batted .249/.325/.347/.672 with four home runs, 32 RBI, and 24 stolen bases. For the 2018 season, DeShields Jr. received the Texas Rangers' Harold McKinney Good Guy Award, as voted by the Dallas-Fort Worth Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) chapter.
3.3. Cleveland Indians
On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded DeShields Jr. and Emmanuel Clase to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Corey Kluber and cash considerations. During the 2020 season with the Indians, DeShields Jr. batted .252 with no home runs and seven RBI in 37 games. On December 2, 2020, the Indians declined to tender him a contract for the 2021 season, making him a free agent.
3.4. Texas Rangers (second stint)
On February 1, 2021, DeShields Jr. signed a minor league contract to return to the Texas Rangers organization and received an invitation to spring training. He was not added to the 40-man roster and was assigned to the Triple-A Round Rock Express. In 66 games for Round Rock, he hit .263 with five home runs and 18 RBI, while also stealing 16 bases.
3.5. Boston Red Sox
On August 5, 2021, DeShields Jr. was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. He was assigned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox. He played in 18 games for Triple-A Worcester, batting .210 with one home run and four RBI.
3.6. Cincinnati Reds
On August 31, 2021, DeShields Jr. was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations. He was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats. The following day, the Reds selected DeShields Jr.'s contract, adding him to their active roster. His father, Delino DeShields, was a coach for the Reds at the time of this trade. DeShields Jr. played in 25 games for the Reds, hitting .255 with one home run and six RBI. On October 11, he rejected his outright assignment and elected free agency.
3.7. Miami Marlins
On March 18, 2022, DeShields Jr. signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He recorded one hit in eight plate appearances during spring training before being released by the Marlins organization on April 3.
3.8. Atlanta Braves
On April 8, 2022, DeShields Jr. signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. He played in 109 games for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, batting .220/.367/.264 with one home run, 26 RBI, and 35 stolen bases. He elected free agency after the season on November 10.
3.9. Seattle Mariners
On March 19, 2023, DeShields Jr. signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization. He played in 12 games for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, batting .222/.300/.222 with no home runs and two RBI. DeShields Jr. was released by Seattle on May 1.
3.10. Independent Leagues and Mexican League
On May 7, 2023, DeShields Jr. signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent league. In 34 contests, he batted .291/.380/.440 with four home run, 21 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. He was released by the Railroaders on June 28.
On April 23, 2024, DeShields Jr. signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, another independent league. In 69 appearances for Charleston, he slashed .256/.371/.336 with four home run, 33 RBI, and 36 stolen bases.
On February 10, 2025, DeShields Jr. signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League.
4. Awards and Honors
- American League Rookie of the Month: May 2015
- Texas Rangers' Rookie of the Year: 2015 (voted by players and coaches)
- Texas Rangers' Harold McKinney Good Guy Award: 2018 (voted by the Dallas-Fort Worth BBWAA chapter)
5. Personal Life
Delino DeShields Jr. is the son of former MLB player Delino DeShields. His sister, Diamond DeShields, is a professional basketball player in the WNBA. In addition to Diamond, DeShields Jr. has a brother, another sister, and a paternal half-sister. His nickname is Poppa.
On January 16, 2011, DeShields Jr. was arrested in Georgia and charged with driving under the influence, possession of alcohol by a minor, and a traffic violation. He was released on 2.50 K USD bail and faced three misdemeanor charges.
6. Statistics
6.1. Major League Baseball Batting Statistics
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | SB | CS | BB | HBP | SO | SH | SF | IBB | GDP | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB: 7 years | 601 | 2114 | 1828 | 302 | 450 | 81 | 19 | 19 | 626 | 139 | 111 | 32 | 49 | 12 | 211 | 1 | 14 | 487 | 13 | .246 | .327 | .342 | .669 | |
| 2015 | TEX | 121 | 492 | 425 | 83 | 111 | 22 | 10 | 2 | 159 | 37 | 25 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 53 | 1 | 3 | 101 | 1 | .261 | .344 | .374 | .718 |
| 2016 | TEX | 74 | 203 | 182 | 36 | 38 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 57 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 54 | 1 | .209 | .275 | .324 | .588 |
| 2017 | TEX | 120 | 440 | 376 | 75 | 101 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 138 | 22 | 29 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 44 | 0 | 3 | 109 | 2 | .269 | .347 | .367 | .714 |
| 2018 | TEX | 106 | 393 | 334 | 52 | 72 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 94 | 22 | 20 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 43 | 0 | 3 | 83 | 1 | .216 | .310 | .281 | .591 |
| 2019 | TEX | 118 | 408 | 357 | 42 | 89 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 124 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 38 | 0 | 3 | 100 | 8 | .249 | .325 | .347 | .672 |
| 2020 | CLE | 37 | 120 | 107 | 10 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | .252 | .310 | .318 | .628 |
| 2021 | CIN | 25 | 58 | 47 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | .255 | .375 | .426 | .801 |
6.2. Major League Baseball Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | Second Base (2B) | Left Field (LF) | Center Field (CF) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct | ||
| MLB | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 124 | 176 | 9 | 3 | 4 | .984 | 438 | 1043 | 17 | 21 | 4 | .981 | |
| 2015 | TEX | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 35 | 50 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .981 | 87 | 202 | 3 | 5 | 0 | .976 |
| 2016 | TEX | - | 26 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .955 | 33 | 81 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .976 | |||||
| 2017 | TEX | - | 60 | 99 | 6 | 1 | 2 | .991 | 51 | 109 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .991 | |||||
| 2018 | TEX | - | - | 102 | 275 | 6 | 7 | 2 | .976 | ||||||||||
| 2019 | TEX | - | - | 112 | 261 | 2 | 5 | 1 | .981 | ||||||||||
| 2020 | CLE | - | - | 35 | 86 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | ||||||||||
| 2021 | CIN | - | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 18 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .967 | |||||