Yoelqui Céspedes Maceo (born September 24, 1997), also known as Yoelkis Céspedes, is a Cuban professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago White Sox organization. He played for Alazanes de Granma of the Cuban National Series before he defected from Cuba. Career Céspedes played for the Alazanes de Granma of the Cuban National Series. He batted .287/.351/.415 in Cuba. He also played for the Cuba national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. On June 25, 2019, Céspedes defected from Cuba while in Dayton, Ohio. At the time, he was playing for the Cuba national baseball team, which was participating in a CanAm League showcase event. He worked out in the Bahamas, preparing for Major League Baseball to declare him a free agent. On December 22, 2020, Céspedes agreed to a $2 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox announced the signing on January 15, 2021. On June 19, he was assigned to the high-A Winston-Salem Dash of High-A East. In June 2021, Cespedes was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game. The White Sox promoted Céspedes to the Birmingham Barons of Double-A South and assigned him to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League after the regular season. Personal life His half-brother is Yoenis Céspedes. See also List of baseball players who defected from Cuba References C External links 1997 births Living people Alazanes de Granma players Baseball outfielders Cuban baseball players People from Yara, Cuba 2017 World Baseball Classic players Winston-Salem Dash players Birmingham Barons players