Giovanny Urshela Salcedo Bio
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo (born October 11, 1991) is a Colombian former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2015 to 2025. Over his 11-year MLB career, Urshela played for eight different teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Athletics. He established himself as a reliable contact hitter with solid defensive skills at the hot corner. Urshela retired from professional baseball in May 2026 and was subsequently named manager of the Colombian national baseball team.
Early Life and Background
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo was born on October 11, 1991, in Colombia. Growing up in his home country, Urshela developed a passion for baseball at a young age. His talent on the diamond earned him recognition as a promising prospect, setting the stage for his eventual transition to professional baseball in the United States.
Urshela’s early development in Colombia provided him with the foundation needed to pursue a career in professional baseball. The skills he honed during his youth would prove instrumental in his eventual rise through the minor leagues and onto MLB rosters.
Path to Major League Baseball
In July 2008, Urshela signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent, marking his official entry into professional baseball. He made his professional debut in 2009, playing for the Dominican Summer League Indians and the Arizona League Indians. This marked the beginning of his steady climb through Cleveland’s minor league system.
Urshela started the 2014 season with the Akron RubberDucks and was promoted to the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League during that campaign. After the 2014 season, the Indians added Urshela to their 40-man roster, signaling their belief in his potential. MLB.com ranked him as the Indians’ fourth-best prospect heading into the 2015 season.
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo Career
Cleveland Indians (2015–2017)
Urshela began the 2015 season with Columbus before receiving a call-up to the major leagues on June 8, 2015. He made an immediate impact, recording his first major league hit and home run in the same game against the Seattle Mariners on June 11, 2015. He appeared in 67 major league games for Cleveland in 2017, batting .224. After the 2017 season, his time with the Indians organization came to an end.
Toronto Blue Jays (2018)
On May 9, 2018, Cleveland traded Urshela to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations. He batted .233 with one home run and three RBIs in 19 games for Toronto before being designated for assignment in late June. He cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Buffalo, where he batted .244 in 91 plate appearances.
New York Yankees Breakthrough (2019–2021)
The Blue Jays traded Urshela to the New York Yankees on August 4, 2018. Assigned to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he worked with hitting coach Phil Plantier to refine his batting stance. Urshela batted an impressive .307 in 107 plate appearances for the RailRiders.
The Yankees selected Urshela’s contract on April 6, 2019, after starting third baseman Miguel Andujar suffered a torn right shoulder labrum. He began the season hitting 25-for-71 (.352) and continued to earn playing time even after Andujar returned briefly in May. Andujar ultimately opted for season-ending surgery, solidifying Urshela’s role as the starting third baseman.
Urshela opened the 2020 season as the Yankees’ starting third baseman. He played in 43 of the team’s 60 games, missing time with a groin injury in late August. He batted .298 with six home runs and 30 RBIs and led all qualifying third basemen with a .992 fielding percentage. On September 30, in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, Urshela became the first Yankees third baseman to hit a postseason grand slam, doing so against his former team, the Cleveland Indians, helping the Yankees sweep the Wild Card Series.
Minnesota Twins (2022)
On March 13, 2022, the Yankees traded Urshela and Gary Sanchez to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt. In 2022, Urshela batted .285 with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. He was picked off at second base twice during the season, leading the majors in that category. In October 2022, he played winter baseball for Tigres de Cartagena of the Colombian Professional Baseball League.
Los Angeles Angels (2023)
On November 18, 2022, the Twins traded Urshela to the Los Angeles Angels for minor league pitcher Alejandro Hidalgo. The Angels began the 2023 season with Urshela as their regular shortstop. However, his season was cut short when he was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 16, 2023, due to a left pelvis fracture. The Angels announced he would not need surgery but would miss the remainder of the 2023 season.
Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves (2024)
On February 22, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. In 92 games for the Tigers, he batted .243 with five home runs and 37 RBIs. On August 16, he was designated for assignment and released two days later.
The Atlanta Braves signed Urshela to a major league contract on August 20, 2024. In 36 games for Atlanta, he batted .265 with four home runs and 15 RBIs, providing valuable depth at multiple positions.
Athletics and Final Season (2025)
On December 19, 2024, Urshela signed a one-year contract with the Athletics. In 59 appearances for Oakland, he slashed .238/.287/.326 with 20 RBIs. The Athletics designated Urshela for assignment on August 15, 2025, and he cleared waivers and was released on August 17, 2025. This marked the conclusion of his playing career after 11 MLB seasons.
Defensive Versatility and Strengths
Throughout his career, Urshela was known for his reliable defense at third base, earning praise for his sure hands and strong throwing arm. He demonstrated versatility by playing shortstop when needed, particularly during his time with the Angels. His ability to make consistent contact at the plate and work counts made him a valuable middle-of-the-order contributor throughout his career.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Urshela’s most memorable moment came during the 2020 postseason when he hit a grand slam as a Yankee in the AL Wild Card Series against Cleveland, becoming the first Yankees third baseman to accomplish that feat. His 2020 campaign was his best statistical season, as he posted a .298 batting average with a .992 fielding percentage at third base. He finished his career with 73 home runs and 352 RBIs across 11 MLB seasons.
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo Career Statistics
Urshela compiled a career batting average of .270 with 73 home runs and 352 RBIs across 11 MLB seasons spanning eight teams. His best offensive season came in 2020 with the Yankees, where he hit .298, while his most complete defensive performance came that same year when he led qualifying third basemen in fielding percentage.
Career MLB Highlights
Urshela made his MLB debut on June 8, 2015, with Cleveland and quickly recorded his first hit and home run in the same game against Seattle four days later. His career highlight came in October 2020 when he delivered a grand slam in the postseason for the Yankees. He appeared in over 700 career MLB games across eight teams, providing steady offense and reliable defense throughout his professional career.
International Play
Before the 2013 season, Urshela played for the Colombian national baseball team in the qualifiers for the World Baseball Classic, though the team lost to Panama and failed to qualify. He represented Colombia again after they qualified for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he batted .143 in 14 plate appearances with two hits.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .270 |
| Home Runs | 73 |
| Runs Batted In | 352 |
| Games Played | Over 700 |
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo Family
Family Background and Heritage
Urshela hails from Colombia, where his passion for baseball first developed. His heritage played an important role in shaping his career path, leading him to pursue professional baseball in the United States as an international free agent.
Personal Life
Urshela is married to his wife, Danna, who is a journalist in Colombia. The couple welcomed their daughter in 2022. Following his retirement from professional baseball, Urshela transitioned into coaching, beginning the next chapter of his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the final chapter of Urshela’s playing career. Signed with the Athletics in December 2024, he appeared in 59 games for Oakland, slashing .238/.287/.326 with 20 RBIs. While his power numbers declined compared to earlier seasons, Urshela provided veteran experience and defensive versatility for a young Athletics roster. The team designated him for assignment in mid-August 2025 after he cleared waivers and was released, bringing his distinguished 11-year MLB playing career to a close.