Vinnie Pasquantino
Pasquantino with the Kansas City Royals in 2023
Kansas City Royals – No. 9
First baseman
Born: (1997-10-10) October 10, 1997 (age 26)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 28, 2022, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.279
Home runs19
Runs batted in50
Teams

Vincent Joseph Pasquantino (born October 10, 1997) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career

Pasquantino attended James River High School in Midlothian, Virginia. He enrolled at Old Dominion University and played college baseball for the Old Dominion Monarchs. In 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1] He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[2]

Professional career

Pasquantino with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2022

Pasquantino made his professional debut with the Burlington Royals, batting .294 with 14 home runs and 53 runs batted in (RBIs) over 57 games.[3] He did not play in 2020 because the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] He started the 2021 season with the Quad Cities River Bandits before being promoted to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.[5] Over 116 games between the two teams, he slashed .300/.394/.563 with 24 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 37 doubles.[6]

Pasquantino opened the 2022 season with the Omaha Storm Chasers. After the Royals traded first baseman Carlos Santana on June 27, the Royals promoted Pasquantino to the major leagues to take his place on the active roster.[7] On July 1, Pasquantino hit a home run off of Detroit Tigers starter Michael Pineda as his first career hit.[8] Pasquantino hit his second career homer on July 11, coincidentally also off of Pineda.[9] He was named the American League player of the week for August 8 to 14 when he hit .455 with four home runs and six RBIs in six games.[10]

Pasquantino made the Opening Day roster for Kansas City in 2023. Playing in 61 games, he hit .247/.324/.437 with 9 home runs and 26 RBI.[11][12] On June 14, 2023, it was announced that Pasquantino would undergo season–ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.[13][14]

International career

Pasquantino was on the Italy national baseball team roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[15]

Personal life

Pasquantino and Ryann Harris announced their engagement in September 2022. Like Pasquantino, Harris attended Old Dominion University, where she played for the women's soccer team.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Vinnie Pasquantino - Cape Cod Baseball League - player". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "Kansas City Royals select ODU's Vinnie Pasquantino in 11th round of MLB Draft". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. June 5, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  3. ^ Sutton, Bob (July 6, 2019). "Pasquantino's big night highlights Royals' romp". Burlington Times News. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  4. ^ "Andre Lipcius and Vinnie Pasquantino lost their minor league season. The Peninsula Pilots helped give some of it back". August 11, 2020.
  5. ^ Batterson, Steve (July 3, 2021). "Competition, podcast lessons motivate Pasquantino". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  6. ^ Lewis, Alec (September 24, 2021). "The rise of under-the-radar Royals prospect Vinnie Pasquantino: 'He could run for mayor'". The Athletic. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  7. ^ Grathoff, Pete (June 27, 2022). "It's Vinnie Pasquantino's time as Kansas City Royals trade Carlos Santana: The details". KansasCity.com. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  8. ^ Worthy, Lynn (July 2, 2022). "Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino got tagged out and hit his first homer on the same play". Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  9. ^ Han, Nathan. "Seeing double? KC Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino slams second homer in similar fashion". Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "A Royal and a Friar net Player of the Week honors". MLB.com.
  11. ^ Rogers, Anne (June 14, 2023). "Pasquantino (right shoulder) likely out for season in blue day for KC". MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Thompson, Jaylon (June 14, 2023). "Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the remainder of the 2023 MLB season". Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "Royals lose Vinnie Pasquantino for rest of 2023 with shoulder injury as K.C.'s season gets even worse". cbssports.com. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino to have surgery for torn labrum". ESPN.com. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  15. ^ "Pasquantino headlines Team Italy's Classic roster". MLB.com.
  16. ^ "Vinnie Pasquantino gets engaged after final home game of the season". WDAF-TV. September 26, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

External links

Kansas City Royals current roster
Italy roster – 2023 World Baseball Classic
Categories