Vidal Bruján Esteva Bio
Vidal Bruján Esteva (born February 9, 1998) is a Dominican professional baseball utility player who currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and Atlanta Braves. Bruján signed with the Rays as an international free agent in October 2014, and made his major league debut with Tampa Bay in 2021. Known for his versatility, he has appeared at second base, third base, and in the outfield throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Vidal Bruján Esteva was born on February 9, 1998, in the Dominican Republic. He grew up in a baseball-loving household and developed his passion for the sport at a young age in the Dominican baseball culture. His father, Vidal Sr., played a formative role in introducing him to the game and supporting his early development as a player.
Bruján’s upbringing in the Dominican Republic placed him in one of the world’s most prolific baseball talent pipelines, where young players often receive early exposure to professional instruction and competition. This foundation would help prepare him for the challenges of signing with an MLB organization as an international free agent.
Path to Professional Baseball
Bruján’s talent caught the attention of MLB scouts operating in the Dominican Republic, and he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent in October 2014 at age 16. This signing marked the beginning of his professional baseball journey and represented his first step toward reaching the major leagues.
He made his professional debut in 2015 with the Dominican Summer League Rays, where he immediately demonstrated his potential by batting .301 with two home runs, 20 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 60 games. His combination of hitting ability and speed quickly established him as a player to watch within the Rays organization.
Bruján continued to develop his skills through the minor leagues over the following years, steadily climbing the organizational ladder while refining his defensive versatility and offensive approach at each level.
Vidal Bruján Esteva Career
Minor League Development (2015–2019)
Bruján spent his early professional years building a strong foundation in the minor leagues. In 2016, he split time between the Gulf Coast Rays and Hudson Valley Renegades, hitting a combined .271 with one home run and eight RBI in 51 games. The following year with Hudson Valley, he improved to bat .285 with three home runs, 20 RBI, and 16 stolen bases in 67 games, showing continued growth.
The 2018 season marked a significant breakthrough as Bruján played for both the Bowling Green Hot Rods, where he was named a Midwest League All-Star, and the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Between the two clubs, he slashed a combined .320/.403/.459 with nine home runs, 53 RBI, and 55 stolen bases in 122 games. His exceptional performance that season put him on the map as one of the Rays’ top prospects.
Tampa Bay Rays (2021–2023)
Bruján was added to the Rays 40-man roster following the 2019 season, signaling the organization’s confidence in his potential. He did not play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the minor league season. In June 2021, he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game, a recognition of his standing among baseball’s top prospects.
On July 7, 2021, Bruján was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that day as the starting second baseman in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians. He recorded his first career hit, an RBI single off Indians starter J. C. Mejía, in that debut game.
Bruján spent most of the 2022 season with Triple-A Durham Bulls, batting .292, while also appearing in 52 games with the Rays. He hit his first MLB home run on June 10 against the Minnesota Twins, a milestone in his major league career. In 2023, he played 37 games for Tampa Bay, hitting .171/.241/.197 before being traded.
Miami Marlins (2024)
On November 17, 2023, Bruján was traded to the Miami Marlins along with Calvin Faucher in exchange for Erick Lara, Andrew Lindsey, and a player to be named later. The trade gave him an opportunity to continue his major league career with a different organization.
In 102 appearances for the Marlins, Bruján slashed .222/.303/.319 with two home runs, 16 RBI, and five stolen bases. An unusual highlight came on August 24, 2024, when he entered a blowout loss against the Chicago Cubs in the ninth inning and recorded his first career pitching strikeout against Isaac Paredes. He was designated for assignment by Miami on December 20.
Chicago Cubs (2025)
On December 29, 2024, the Marlins traded Bruján to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Matt Mervis. He made 36 appearances for the Cubs, batting .222/.234/.289 with three RBI and two stolen bases. His time in Chicago was brief, as he was designated for assignment by the Cubs on July 30, 2025.
Baltimore Orioles (2025)
On August 3, 2025, Bruján was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. His only appearance for the team came on August 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he recorded a single off Joe Ross in his only at-bat. He was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves just two days later.
Atlanta Braves (2025)
On August 8, 2025, Bruján was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. He made 23 appearances for Atlanta, batting .268/.362/.317 with five RBI. His solid performance with the Braves demonstrated his ability to contribute when given regular opportunities. He was designated for assignment by the Braves following the acquisition of Ken Waldichuk on January 8, 2026.
New York Mets (2026)
On January 14, 2026, Bruján was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins but was designated for assignment on January 21. The Twins traded him to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations on January 22. He was designated for assignment by the Mets on March 25, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse Mets on March 27. On May 3, the Mets selected Bruján’s contract, adding him to their active roster.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bruján is valued as a utility player capable of playing multiple positions, including second base, third base, and the outfield. His ability to handle various defensive roles provides managers with flexibility in constructing lineups and making in-game substitutions. Offensively, he has shown the ability to hit for average and steal bases, with his best minor league seasons featuring on-base percentages above .340 and stolen base totals exceeding 50 in a single campaign.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bruján’s career has included several notable milestones, including his MLB debut in July 2021, his first major league hit and RBI, and his first MLB home run in June 2022. His selection to the 2021 All-Star Futures Game recognized his status as one of baseball’s top prospects. His 2018 season, which combined for 55 stolen bases across two minor league teams, stands as one of his most impressive statistical performances.
Vidal Bruján Esteva Career Performance
Throughout his professional career, Bruján has demonstrated the ability to be a productive hitter at multiple minor league levels. His best season came in 2018, when he combined to hit .320 between the Bowling Green Hot Rods and Charlotte Stone Crabs while stealing 55 bases. His minor league career has been characterized by consistent contact hitting and basestealing ability, though his MLB numbers have been more modest through early 2026.
Major League Highlights
Through June 15, 2026, Bruján has appeared in 230 MLB games across five teams, batting .197 with five home runs, 49 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. His most productive major league stretch came with the 2024 Miami Marlins, where he played 102 games. His 2025 stint with the Atlanta Braves showed promise, as he hit .268 in 23 appearances.
Minor League Highlights
Bruján’s minor league career has been more impressive than his major league numbers suggest. His 2018 campaign with Bowling Green and Charlotte featured a .320 batting average, 55 stolen bases, and Midwest League All-Star recognition. He followed that with a combined .277 average between Charlotte and Montgomery in 2019. The 2022 season with Triple-A Durham saw him hit .292 in a substantial sample of games.
| Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (through 2026) | 230 | .197 | 5 | 49 | 13 |
| Triple-A Durham (2022) | 89 | .292 | 3 | 38 | 21 |
| 2018 Minor League Total | 122 | .320 | 9 | 53 | 55 |
Family
Family Background
Bruján grew up in the Dominican Republic with the support of his father, Vidal Sr., who was instrumental in his early development in baseball. His father unfortunately passed away from heart failure in 2018, a significant personal loss that Bruján experienced during his minor league career.
Personal Life
Bruján continues to pursue his professional baseball career in the United States while maintaining connections to his Dominican roots. As a player who has navigated multiple organizations during his major league career, he has demonstrated adaptability and resilience in the competitive MLB environment.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition for Bruján, as he played for three different organizations within the same calendar year. He began the season with the Chicago Cubs after being acquired from Miami in late 2024, making 36 appearances before being designated for assignment in late July.
Bruján was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles in early August 2025 but appeared in only one game with the team before being claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. His brief stint with Baltimore consisted of a single at-bat resulting in a hit against Philadelphia.
With the Atlanta Braves, Bruján found the most success of his 2025 campaign, batting .268 with a .362 on-base percentage in 23 games. His performance with the Braves demonstrated his ability to contribute when provided consistent playing time. He finished the 2025 season with a combined 60 major league appearances across three teams, showing the utility value that has defined his MLB career.