Yulieski Gurriel
Yulieski Gurriel, a Cuban MLB All-Star first baseman for Houston Astros, renowned for his defensive prowess with two Gold Glove Awards.
Baseball Player
June 9, 1984
40
Yulieski Gurriel is a Cuban professional baseball player who currently serves as a first baseman for the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball (MLB). After defecting from Cuba, Gurriel made his MLB debut with the Astros in 2016 and quickly became a key player for the team. He is primarily known for his consistent hitting, power, and clutch performances, which helped the Astros win the World Series in 2017.
Before joining the MLB, Gurriel played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Over the course of his career, he has been named an MLB All-Star five times and has won two Gold Glove Awards. In 2021, Gurriel had a breakout season, winning the American League batting title with a .319 average. He was also named an All-Star for the second time and won the Silver Slugger Award. His success continued in 2022, as he helped the Astros reach the World Series once again.
Off the field, Gurriel is married to Lianet Casas, and the couple has two children. He is actively involved in charitable work and community outreach, earning him a reputation as a respected figure in baseball. Known for his positive attitude, work ethic, and leadership both on and off the field, Gurriel has become a beloved player among fans and teammates alike.
Gurriel holds the record for the most home runs by a Cuban-born player in MLB history. His brother, Lourdes Jr., is also a professional baseball player and currently plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Gurriel enjoys fishing and spending time with his family when he is not on the baseball field.