Guillermo Heredia (baseball)

1. Early life and amateur career

Guillermo Heredia Molina Jr. was born on 31 January 1991. He began his baseball career playing for Matanzas in the Cuban National Series, where he competed from 2009. His talent was recognized internationally, leading to his selection for the Cuba national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. In January 2015, Heredia made the pivotal decision to defect from Cuba, seeking to pursue a professional contract with a Major League Baseball team and broaden his career opportunities.

2. Professional career

Guillermo Heredia's professional baseball career spans both Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and the KBO League in South Korea, demonstrating his adaptability and consistent performance across different highly competitive environments.

2.1. Major League Baseball

Heredia's journey in Major League Baseball saw him play for five different franchises, each tenure contributing to his development as a versatile outfielder.

2.1.1. Seattle Mariners

On 23 February 2016, Heredia signed a one-year major league contract with the Seattle Mariners for 500.00 K USD. He made his major league debut on 29 July 2016. During his time with the Mariners in 2016, he primarily served as a defensive replacement, utilizing his strong outfield skills. Before the start of the 2017 season, he participated in the Arizona Fall League to refine his hitting mechanics, specifically working on making his swing more compact.

2.1.2. Tampa Bay Rays

Heredia's tenure with the Mariners concluded when he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on 8 November 2018. This transaction involved a multi-player deal where Heredia, along with Mike Zunino and Michael Plassmeyer, was sent to the Rays in exchange for Mallex Smith and Jake Fraley. In his inaugural season with the Rays in 2019, he appeared in 89 games, batting .225. On 2 December 2019, the Rays decided not to tender him a contract, making Heredia a free agent.

2.1.3. Pittsburgh Pirates

On 9 January 2020, Heredia secured a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, his time with the team was brief. After playing in only eight games during the year, Heredia was designated for assignment by the Pirates on 24 August 2020.

2.1.4. New York Mets

Following his designation by the Pirates, Heredia was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on 28 August 2020. He made his debut with the Mets on 21 September 2020. In his next game, he started and hit a home run against pitcher John Curtiss. During his time with the Mets, he also played alongside Ariel Jurado in 2020. Heredia was again designated for assignment on 21 February 2021, shortly after the Mets signed outfielder Kevin Pillar.

2.1.5. Atlanta Braves

Heredia found a more substantial role with the Atlanta Braves, who claimed him off waivers on 24 February 2021. On 18 April of that year, Heredia delivered a career-highlight performance, hitting two home runs, including a grand slam. This remarkable outing made him the first Braves player since 1920 to record six or more runs batted in (RBIs) in a single game while batting from the No. 8 spot in the lineup. As the 2021 season progressed, Heredia popularized a distinctive "sword slashing" movement as a celebratory gesture, which quickly became adopted by his teammates, highlighting his energetic presence. In 2021, he recorded a batting average of .220, an on-base percentage of .311, and a slugging percentage of .354, along with 5 home runs and 26 RBIs. His performance led the Braves to sign him to a one-year, 1.00 M USD contract on 30 November 2021. However, on 15 November 2022, Heredia was designated for assignment by the Braves. Three days later, he was non-tendered and became a free agent.

3. Playing style and reception

Heredia is characterized by his strong defensive skills in the outfield, particularly his ability to serve as a reliable late-innings defensive replacement, as seen early in his career with the Seattle Mariners. Offensively, he has worked on developing a more compact swing. Beyond his technical skills, Heredia gained notable recognition for his energetic on-field presence, particularly with the Atlanta Braves. There, he popularized a distinctive "sword slashing" movement as a celebratory gesture after significant plays. This celebration was enthusiastically adopted by his teammates, indicating his positive reception within the clubhouse and among fans for his contributions and vibrant personality.

4. Personal life

Guillermo Heredia acquired United States citizenship on 16 July 2023, marking a significant milestone in his personal life.

5. Career statistics