Daniel Descalso, Infield

Date of Birth: 10/19/1986
Birthplace: Redwood City, California
College: University of California, Davis

Daniel Descalso, infielder, was a top player in college, finishing his college baseball playing time with a .397 batting average. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007 and he spent his first four seasons with them in their minor league system. He finished his minor league career with 441 hits, 94 doubles, 224 RBIs, and a .276 batting average in 425 games. In 2010, he joined the Cardinals for 11 games.

In 2011, his first full season in the major leagues, Descalso had 86 hits, 20 doubles, and a .264 batting average in 148 games. The following season, he didn't do as well, finishing the 2012 season with 85 hits and a .227 batting average in 143 games.

In 2013, Descalso had 78 hits, 25 doubles, and a .238 batting average in 123 games. On May 21, 2013, he hit a grand slam. He signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract with the Cardinals in January, 2014. He finished the 2014 season with 39 hits and a .242 batting average in 104 games. In the postseason, he had two at-bats in four games with no hits.

On December 28, 2014, Descalso signed a two-year contract with the Colorado Rockies. He finished the 2015 season with 38 hits and a .205 batting average in 101 games. Defensively, he played 7 games at first base, 15 games at second base, 5 games at third base, and 33 games at shortstop.

Descalso played in 99 games with the Rockies in 2016. He finished the season with 66 hits, 38 RBIs, and a .264 batting average. Defensively, he played all four infield positions and left field.

Descalso became a free agent on November 3, 2016. He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on February 7, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 80 hits, 16 doubles, 10 home runs, 51 RBIs, 89 strikeouts to 48 walks, and a .233 batting average in 131 games. Defensively, he played all four infield positions and in left field. He also pitched in two games. In 9 at-bats in 4 games in the postseason, he batted .333 with 3 hits, including 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 4 strikeouts, and 4 walks.

Descalso played in 138 games in 2018. He finished the season with 83 hits, 22 doubles, 57 RBIs, 110 strikeouts to 64 walks, and a .238 batting average. Defensively, he played 11 games at first base, 52 games at second base, 37 games at third base, and 5 games in left field. He also pitched in 2 games.

Descalso became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Chicago Cubs on December 18, 2018. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with a sprained ankle. In 82 games, he had just 29 hits and a .173 batting average.

Descalso spent the shortened 2020 season on the IL with a left ankle sprain.

Descalso elected free agency on October 31, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on May 13, 2021. He played only in the minors in 2021.

Descalso became a free agent again on June 22, 2021.

Career batting statistics for Descalso through 2019 include:

• 1,080 games played
• 593 hits
• 126 doubles
• 294 RBIs
• 600 strikeouts to 303 walks
• .235 batting average

Personal Life

Descalso and his wife Julia were married on December 28, 2013.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Daniel Descalso
ESPN - Daniel Descalso