Dante Bichette Jr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dante Bichette Jr.
Free agent
Third baseman / First baseman
Born: (1992-09-26) September 26, 1992 (age 29)
Orlando, Florida
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Alphonse Dante Bichette Jr. (born September 26, 1992) is a Brazilian-American professional baseball third baseman and first baseman who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.

Early life and career[]

Bichette was born in Orlando, Florida, in 1992. His father Dante Bichette, is a former Major League Baseball player.[1][2] His brother, Bo, plays for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Bichette played in the 2005 Little League World Series.[3][4] During his senior year at Orangewood Christian High School, he batted .640 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in 30 games.[5]

Professional career[]

New York Yankees[]

Bichette was drafted 51st overall in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees.[6][7][8][9][10] He debuted in the Minor Leagues as part of the Yankees Gulf Coast League team, the GCL Yankees on June 20, 2011.

Colorado Rockies[]

Bichette became a free agent after the 2017 season, and signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies on December 23.[11] He was released on March 28, 2018.

St. Paul Saints[]

On April 2, 2018, Bichette signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association.[12]

High Point Rockers[]

On February 21, 2019, Bichette was traded to the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Washington Nationals[]

He was named Player of the Month for April and May, appearing in 35 games before his rights were purchased and he was signed to a minor league deal by the Washington Nationals.[13] He became a free agent following the 2019 season.[14] On December 26, 2019, Bichette re-signed with the Nationals on a minor league contract. Bichette was released by the Nationals on May 31, 2020.

International career[]

Bichette represented Brazil in 2017 World Baseball Classic – Qualifier 4. Both Dante Jr and his brother Bo Bichette have played for Brazil in the WBC due to their mother Mariana being a native of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Their maternal grandfather is of Chinese descent.[15]

In 2020, Bichette will again represent Brazil at the 2021 World Baseball Classic Qualifier.

Personal life[]

Bichette’s father, Dante, is a former Major League Baseball player and 4 time All-Star. His younger brother, Bo, currently plays with the Toronto Blue Jays.[16]

References[]

  1. ^ Troy E. Renck (April 1, 2012). "Dante Bichette thrilled as Dante Jr. hits two HRs for Yankees". Blogs.denverpost.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  2. ^ "YANKEES: Dante Bichette, Jr., looks to follow in father's footsteps". Trentonian.com. March 28, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  3. ^ "Little League hero Dante Bichette Jr. Still trying to make it as a pro in Yankee organization". August 15, 2015.
  4. ^ Hochman, Benjamin (June 8, 2011). "New York Yankees draft Dante Bichette Jr". Denver Post.
  5. ^ "Bichette Jr. hopes to play for 'Uncle Joe' - Yankees Blog". ESPN. June 7, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  6. ^ Hochman, Benjamin (June 7, 2011). "New York Yankees draft Dante Bichette Jr. – The Denver Post". Denverpost.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Feinsand, Mark (June 19, 2011). "New York Yankees waste no time, sign 2011 first draft pick Dante Bichette Jr. for $750,000". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  8. ^ "Yankees sign first-round Draft pick Dante Bichette Jr. | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  9. ^ Marchand, Andrew (January 2, 2010). "Watch out A-Rod, Yanks list Bichette Jr. as 3rd baseman – Yankees Blog – ESPN New York". Espn.go.com. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  10. ^ Noah K. Murray/The Star-Ledger (June 7, 2011). "Yankees choose Dante Bichette Jr. with 51st overall pick of first-year draft". NJ.com. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  11. ^ Downing, Kyle (December 23, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/23/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  12. ^ "Dante's Inferno: Saints Sign Former Yankees First Rounder, Infielder Bichette Jr". St. Paul Saints. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  13. ^ Finney, Blake [@FinneyBlake] (June 7, 2019). "The #Nationals have signed Dante Bichette Jr. to a minor league deal from the High Point Rockers. He was slashing .397/.424/.529 with three homers in 35 games with High Point and was the April/May player of the month" (Tweet). Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  15. ^ "Hall of Famer Barry Larkin has ambitious plans to grow baseball in Brazil". Espn.com. September 23, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  16. ^ "ALL-USA Watch: Bo Bichette has been bombing away for Lakewood (Fla.) baseball". May 2, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""