Dayán Viciedo
Encyclopedia
Dayán Viciedo Pérez is a Cuban baseball
player in the Chicago White Sox
organization. He is listed at 5 ft 11 in, 240 lbs.
at age 15 for Villa Clara, often compared to Cuban legend Omar Linares
, his idol.
Viciedo struggled in his first season in the national series, hitting only .243 through the season's first 50 games. However, in his second season, at age sixteen, he hit .337 with 14 home run
s. Viciedo was selected to Cuba's provisional 60-player roster for the 2006 World Baseball Classic
, but was not included in the final team.
On May 20, 2008, Viciedo defected from Cuba
with his family on a boat bound for Mexico
. Once in Mexico he crossed the border to the United States
and went to Miami where he was reunited with some of his family. He was approved as a declared Free Agent by Major League Baseball on November 10, 2008.
on December 12, 2008. The contract includes a $4 million signing bonus, and pays $1 million in 2009, $1.25 million in 2010 and 2011, as well as $2.5 million in 2012. Signing with the White Sox reunited him with fellow Cuban countrymen, Alexei Ramírez
of the Southern League
. During the season he hit .280 with 12 home runs and 78 RBIs.
before getting called up by the Chicago White Sox
on June 17, 2010. He finished the season batting .274, 20 home runs and 47 RBI in 343 at bats.
before being called up by the White Sox on August 26, 2011 because of an injury to Carlos Quentin
.
to open the 2009 season. He was invited to Spring Training again in 2010. On June 17, 2010, it was announced that Viciedo would be called up to the Chicago White Sox. In his first Major league Game against the Washington Nationals he recorded his first hit en route to a White Sox 6-3 win. Viciedo recorded his first Major League home run on July 5, 2010 against Scott Kazmir
of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
, and two days later, on July 7, recorded his first career double against Joe Saunders
of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
. Viciedo has been referred to as "The Tank" by White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson, due to his size, power, and strength.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player in the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
organization. He is listed at 5 ft 11 in, 240 lbs.
Early life
Viciedo entered Cuba's National SeriesCuban National Series
The Cuban National Series is the primary domestic amateur baseball competition in Cuba. Formed after the dissolution of the Cuban League in the wake of the Cuban Revolution, the Series is a part of the Cuban national baseball system.-League structure:...
at age 15 for Villa Clara, often compared to Cuban legend Omar Linares
Omar Linares
Omar Linares Izquierdo is a former Cuban baseball player. Linares, who played third base for the Cuban national team and for Pinar del Río and Vegueros in the Cuban National Series wearing the number 10 on his jersey, is considered one of the greatest Cuban players of all time...
, his idol.
Viciedo struggled in his first season in the national series, hitting only .243 through the season's first 50 games. However, in his second season, at age sixteen, he hit .337 with 14 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. Viciedo was selected to Cuba's provisional 60-player roster for the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
, but was not included in the final team.
On May 20, 2008, Viciedo defected from Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
with his family on a boat bound for Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Once in Mexico he crossed the border to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and went to Miami where he was reunited with some of his family. He was approved as a declared Free Agent by Major League Baseball on November 10, 2008.
Professional career
Viciedo agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract with the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on December 12, 2008. The contract includes a $4 million signing bonus, and pays $1 million in 2009, $1.25 million in 2010 and 2011, as well as $2.5 million in 2012. Signing with the White Sox reunited him with fellow Cuban countrymen, Alexei Ramírez
Alexei Ramírez
Alexei Fernando Ramírez is a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Chicago White Sox...
2009
Viciedo began the season with the Double-A Birmingham BaronsBirmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. During the season he hit .280 with 12 home runs and 78 RBIs.
2010
Viciedo was batting .290, with 14 home runs and 34 RBI in 238 at bats with Triple-A Charlotte KnightsCharlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
before getting called up by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on June 17, 2010. He finished the season batting .274, 20 home runs and 47 RBI in 343 at bats.
2011
Viciedo moved to right field at the beginning of the season in an attempt to get him up to the Major League level quicker. He was batting .296, with 20 home runs and 78 RBI in 452 at bats with Triple-A Charlotte KnightsCharlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
before being called up by the White Sox on August 26, 2011 because of an injury to Carlos Quentin
Carlos Quentin
Carlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
.
Chicago White Sox
Viciedo joined the White Sox for their 2009 Spring Training, but did not make the starting roster and was sent to Double-A Birmingham BaronsBirmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
to open the 2009 season. He was invited to Spring Training again in 2010. On June 17, 2010, it was announced that Viciedo would be called up to the Chicago White Sox. In his first Major league Game against the Washington Nationals he recorded his first hit en route to a White Sox 6-3 win. Viciedo recorded his first Major League home run on July 5, 2010 against Scott Kazmir
Scott Kazmir
Scott Edward Kazmir is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Kazmir made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004 when he was only 20 years old and at one time held many of the franchise's career pitching records...
of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, and two days later, on July 7, recorded his first career double against Joe Saunders
Joe Saunders
Joseph Francis Saunders is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-College and minor league career:...
of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. Viciedo has been referred to as "The Tank" by White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson, due to his size, power, and strength.