Chicago White Sox prospect Yoelqui Céspedes is thinking big — as in the big leagues — in 2022.
“My approach and my mindset right now is to get to the majors this year,” the outfielder said through an interpreter Thursday during a conference call after practice in Glendale, Ariz.
“But not just to get there and be demoted. I want to get there and stay there.”
Céspedes, who is from Yara, Cuba, was rated the top international prospect for 2020 by MLB Pipeline when he agreed to a deal that included a $2.05 million signing bonus in January 2021.
He said he learned a lot while playing at Class A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham last season. And he’s ready to put it to use.
“When you are in the minors, or when you are playing baseball, you know that you’re going to have some struggles,” Céspedes said. “And it’s good for you to have those struggles here in the minors and then work your way out of them because that’s going to put you in a better position to get out of those bad moments when you are in the majors.
“That was one of the biggest lessons that I got last year. I started the season not in the way that I wanted to, but I worked some things out and I was able to get better as the season progressed. It definitely put me in a better position for this year, and I learned how to be more consistent and how to get out of those struggles.”
Céspedes, 24, had a combined .285/.350/.463 slash line with 20 doubles, eight home runs, 27 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 72 games with Winston-Salem and Birmingham.
Sox assistant general manager/player development Chris Getz said Céspedes did “very well” during his 45 games in Winston-Salem and was “fairly productive” while getting a taste of Double-A baseball in 27 games with Birmingham. Céspedes had a .298 batting average in 27 games with the Barons.
Céspedes also represented the organization at the All-Star Futures Game last July in Denver.
“It was an incredible experience, it was a beautiful experience,” Céspedes said of the Futures Game. “I was there with other big prospects and I saw them as ‘I’m the same level as you are. I’m not better or worse, I’m just same as you.’
“It was good and it was a really nice experience. It definitely gave me motivation and it gave me the sense that I belong.”
Céspedes has “solid tools across,” according to Getz, who added Céspedes is working on being more selective at the plate after striking out 83 times in 270 at-bats.
“That was one of the biggest things that I focused on this past offseason, just try to be more patient,” Céspedes said.
Céspedes is getting a lot of support from outside and inside of the organization. He’s the younger half-brother of outfielder Yoenis Céspedes, a two-time All-Star who has played for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets.
Meanwhile, Céspedes said Sox first baseman José Abreu and prospect Yolbert Sánchez are among those providing advice.
“Last year during spring training, José Abreu approached me and he told me, ‘Whatever you need, just reach out to me and I’m here for you,’” Céspedes said. “That’s what I did. Every time that I needed something, I reached out to him and he gave me a lot of advice. That was great. That was really helpful for me.”
Céspedes said he soaked in everything the 2020 American League MVP told him.
“The biggest advice that José Abreu gave me last year was just to work hard and keep working no matter what,” Céspedes said. “I agree with it. It doesn’t matter how good or how bad the moment is for you, you have to keep working. I think that applies to every sport, to every athlete.
“You just need to work and to keep working hard on the things you need to know and the things that are going to put you in a good position and give you success.”
