Yonder Alonso is a famous Cuban former professional baseball first baseman and current MLB Network analyst. In his playing time, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams like the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Colorado Rockets. Prior to entertaining the major leagues, he played college baseball at the University of Miami.
Yonder Alonso Biography
Yonder Alonso is a famous Cuban former professional baseball first baseman and current MLB Network analyst. In his playing time, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams like the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Colorado Rockets. Prior to entertaining the major leagues, he played college baseball at the University of Miami.
Yonder Alonso Education
He received his education at Coral Gables Senior High School where he was selected in the 16th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins. However, he chose not to join and instead chose to attend college. After high school, he attended The University of Miami.
Yonder Alonso Career
Yonder Alonso College Career
During his time at the University of Miami, he played for the Hurricanes for three seasons. As a freshman, he led the team to the College World Series with a team-leading 69 RBIs. In his sophomore year, he batted .376, led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 18 home runs, knocked in 74 runs, and scored 57 times. Moreover, he ranked second in the ACC with a .519 on-base percentage and a .705 slugging percentage. He went on to play in the Valley Baseball League in 2007. In 2007 and 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star in 2007. The following year, he hit .373 with 15 home runs, 51 RBIs, and eight stolen bases. In April 2018, he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame at its 50th annual induction.
Yonder Alonso Professional Career
Yonder Alonso Cincinnati Reds
For the second time, he was drafted in 2008 by the Cincinnati Reds with the seventh overall pick. He went on to sign a major-league contract with the Reds worth $4.55 million through 2012. On August 26, 2008, he made his Minor League debut for the Class A Sarasota Reds against the Clearwater Threshers. That year, he went 6-for-19 with two RBIs in just six games for the A-Advanced Reds. After the 2008 season, he went on and joined the Waikiki Breach Boys of the Hawaii Winter Baseball League and hit .308 with four home runs and 21 RBIs in 29 games.
On July 26, 2011, he was recalled by the Cincinnati Reds after they traded Johnny Gomes. There, he mostly served as a pinch hitter picking up 98 plate appearances over 47 games and batting .330 with a .943 OPS. In 2012, he was projected as a left fielder for the Reds although he struggled defensively at the position during 2011.
Yonder Alonso San Diego Padres
On December 17, 2011, Alonso, Edinson Volquez, Yasmani Grandal, and Brad Boxberger were traded to the San Diego Padres for Mat Latos. In 2012, he played 155 games for the Padres including 144 starts at first base, and posted a batting line of .273/.348/.393 with nine home runs. Beginning in 2013, he was the starting first baseman and on April 20, he started at first base against the Dodgers. However, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 6 after he got hit on the hand by a pitch from Aaron Loup on May 31. On July 12, 2013, he was activated.
On August 30 he suffered an injury to his right hand which caused him to miss most of September. After missing 30 games, he was activated on the disabled list on July 26, 2014. After playing for almost a month, he was ruled out for the season on August 17 because of a forearm strain. The following year in 2015, he would spend time on the 15-day DL but would be activated on June 2. That year, he hit .282 with five home runs and 31 RBIs in 103 games. Moreover, he had two separate stints on the disabled list because of a shoulder injury and strained lower back.
Yonder Alonso Oakland Athletics
The Padres traded Alonso and Marc Rzepcynski to the Oakland Athletics on December 2, 2015, for Drew Pomeranz, Jose Torres, and a player to be named later or cash considerations (later specified as Jabari Blash). The A’s and Alonso announced on January 13, 2016, that they had agreed a one-year contract worth $2.65 million to avoid arbitration. That year, Alonso batted .253/.316/.367 with seven home runs and 56 RBIs. For a second consecutive season, he avoided salary arbitration with the Athletics by agreeing to a $4 million contract for the 2017 season on December 3, 2016. During the first half of the 2017 season, he hit a career-high 20 home runs and was named to the 2017 MLB All-Star Game.
Yonder Alonso Seattle Mariners
The Athletics traded him to the Seattle Mariners on August 6, 2017, for Boog Powell.
Yonder Alonso Cleveland Indians
He went on and signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians on December 20, 2017, a contract worth $16 million. In his first season there, he continued his power surge from the previous season hitting 23 home runs with a career-high 83 RBIs in 145 games.
Yonder Alonso Chicago White Sox
Clvelena traded Alonso to the Chicago White Sox on December 15, 2018, in exchange for a minor league outfielder Alex Call. However, he was designated on June 28, for assignment after he hit .178 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs in 67 games. He was then placed on release waivers on July 3.
Yonder Alonso Colorado Rockies
On July 11, 2019, he signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies then selected Alonso’s contract on July 23 and he was mainly used as a pitch hitter, hitting .260 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 73 at-bats.
Yonder Alonso’s Later Career
He went on to sign a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves on February 14, 2020. Later, he was outrighted off the roster before the season began. On August 11, 2020, he was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for cash considerations. On November 2, 2020, he became a free agent. He announced his retirement on November 20, 2020, via Instagram.
Yonder Alonso Post-baseball Career
He joined MLB Network on April 27, 2021, as an on-air analyst.
Yonder Alonso Age
Yonder was born on April 8, 1987, therefore he is 36 years old as of August 2023. He thus celebrates his birthday on April 8th of every year.
Yonder Alonso Height
He stands at a height of 6 feet 1 inch (1.83m) tall.
Yonder Alonso Family
Alonso was born in Havana, Cuba to Luis Alonso (Father) and Damaris Alonso (Mother). His father played and coached for Industriales of the Cuban National Series. He has a sister by the name of Yainee Alonso (born in 1990).
Yonder Alonso Wife
Yonder is married to the love of his life, Amber Alonso. They got married in November 2017. He and his wife are blessed with two kids; Troy and Marie.
Yonder Alonso Net Worth
Alonso has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 million – $5 million which he has earned through being an MLB player.
Yonder Alonso Salary
He earns an annual salary of $7 million.