Ian Desmond, Retired


Date of Birth: 9/20/1985
Birthplace: Sarasota, Florida
Nickname: Desi

Ian Desmond, retired shortstop, was drafted by the Montreal Expos (today's Washington Nationals) in 2004. He played in the minor leagues from 2004 through most of 2009, finishing with a .259 batting average. In 2009, he played in just 21 games with the Nationals.

In 2010, his first full season in the major leagues, Desmond batted .269 with 141 hits, 27 doubles, 65 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 154 games. Two years later, he won his first Silver Slugger award. Desmond batted .292 with 150 hits, 33 doubles, 25 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases in 130 games in 2012.

Desmond had his best season in 2013, winning a second Silver Slugger award. He batted .280 with career highs in hits (168), doubles (38), and RBIs (80).

Desmond won his third consecutive Silver Slugger award in 2014. He finished the season with 151 hits, 26 doubles, 24 home runs, a career high 91 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, and a .255 batting average in 154 games. In the postseason, he had 3 hits and a .167 batting average in 18 at-bats in 4 games.

Desmond finished the 2015 season with 136 hits, 27 doubles, 19 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a .233 batting average in 156 games. As a shortstop in 155 games, he made 417 assists, 94 double plays, 226 putouts, and 27 errors.

Desmond signed with the Texas Rangers on February 29, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a career high 178 hits, 29 doubles, 22 home runs, 21 stolen bases, 86 RBIs, and a .285 batting average in 156 games. Defensively, as the Rangers' center fielder in 130 games, he made 293 putouts and 9 errors. In 3 postseason games, he batted .214 with 3 hits and 2 RBIs in 14 at-bats.

Desmond signed a five-year contract with the Rockies on December 13, 2016. He played in 95 games in 2017 and he finished with 93 hits and a .274 batting average. Defensively, he played 27 games at first base, 1 game at shortstop, 66 games in left field, and 1 game in center field. In the postseason, he had 1 hit in 2 at-bats in the Wild Card game.

Desmond finished the 2018 season with 131 hits, 21 doubles, 22 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 146 strikeouts to 53 walks, and a .236 batting average in 160 games. Defensively, as a first baseman in 138 games, he made 84 assists, 113 double plays, 1,111 putouts, and 6 errors, and he had a .995 fielding percentage. In the postseason, he had 2 hits and 1 stolen base in 17 at-bats in 4 games.

Desmond batted .255 in 140 games in 2019. He finished the season with 113 hits, 31 doubles, 20 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 119 strikeouts to 34 walks. Defensively, he played 74 games in center field and 44 games in left field and he made 182 putouts and 5 errors.

Desmond opted out of the shortened 2020 season. He opted out also for the 2021 season.

Desmond retired on May 2, 2021.

Statistics for Desmond in ten full seasons (2010-2019) in the major leagues include:

  • 4 seasons with 150 or more hits, with a high of 178 in 2016
  • 3 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 38 in 2013
  • 6 seasons with 20 or more home runs, with a high of 25 in 2012
  • 5 seasons with over 20 stolen bases, with a high of 25 in 2011

Career batting statistics for Desmond through 2019 include:

  • 1,478 games played
  • 1,432 hits
  • 277 doubles
  • 181 home runs
  • 711 RBIs
  • 181 stolen bases
  • 1,402 strikeouts to 387 walks
  • .263 batting average

Charitable Work

In May, 2014, Desmond helped raise over $32,000 to aid neurofibromatosis research.

Personal Life

Desmond married his wife Chelsey in January, 2010. They have three children.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Ian Desmond
ESPN - Ian Desmond