César Prieto Bio
César Prieto (born May 10, 1999) is a Cuban professional baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025. Known for his impressive skills as an infielder and batter, Prieto has quickly established himself as a promising player in the league.
Early Life and Background
Born in Cuba, César Prieto grew up in a culture rich in baseball tradition. He was exposed to the sport at a young age, which fostered his passion for the game. Prieto played for the Cuba national baseball team, showcasing his talents on an international stage. His early career began with the Elefantes de Cienfuegos in 2017, where he gained recognition for his performance.
Path to Baseball
Prieto’s journey in baseball took a significant turn when he defected to the United States in 2021 while participating in a qualifying tournament for the 2020 Summer Olympics. This pivotal moment allowed him to pursue a professional career in Major League Baseball. Shortly after his defection, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an international free agent on January 16, 2022, for a bonus of $650,000.
César Prieto Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
After signing with the Baltimore Orioles, César Prieto split his first professional season between the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds and Double-A Bowie Baysox. In 115 games, he batted .273 with 11 home runs and 57 runs batted in (RBI). His performance earned him a reputation as one of the top prospects in the organization.
Breakthrough (2023-2025)
In 2023, Prieto continued to impress, playing 58 games for Bowie and hitting .364 with four home runs and 29 RBI. He was subsequently promoted to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, where he maintained a strong performance, slashing .317/.365/.471 in 27 games. On August 1, 2023, Prieto was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he finished the season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, batting .270 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 38 appearances.
Notable Works and Milestones
In 2024, Prieto made 129 appearances for Memphis, achieving a batting average of .279 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI. He began the 2025 season with Memphis, where he continued to excel, batting .295 with nine home runs and 62 RBI across 107 games. On August 29, 2025, he was selected to the 40-man roster and made his major league debut against the Cincinnati Reds, contributing to a 7-5 victory.
César Prieto Award Nominations
Throughout his career, César Prieto has been recognized for his outstanding performance, including winning the Rookie of the Year Award in the 2018-19 season while playing in Cuba.
César Prieto Awards Won
César Prieto’s accolades include the Rookie of the Year Award during the 2018-19 season, highlighting his early potential in professional baseball. His achievements in the MLB are still unfolding as he continues to establish himself in the league.