Ryan James Vilade (born February 18, 1999) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies and Detroit Tigers.

Ryan Vilade
Vilade with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2022
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1999-02-18) February 18, 1999 (age 25)
Grapevine, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 18, 2021, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.157
Home runs1
Runs batted in5
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
U-15 Baseball World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2014 Mazatlán Team

Amateur career

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Vilade was raised in Frisco, Texas and attended Frisco High School as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.[1] In July 2016, after his junior year, he played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game at Wrigley Field and won the Home Run Derby with 18 home runs.[2] That fall, he was a member of the 18U United States national team.[3] He moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma before his senior year after his father became an assistant coach for the Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball team.[4][5] After moving, he enrolled and graduated from Stillwater High School in Stillwater. As a senior, he was named the Oklahoma Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year after batting .410 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs along with slugging .778.[6] He committed to play college baseball for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.[7]

Professional career

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Colorado Rockies

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Vilade with the Asheville Tourists in 2018

The Colorado Rockies selected Vilade in the second round, with the 48th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[8] He signed for $1.4 million.[9] After signing, he made his professional debut with the Grand Junction Rockies of the Rookie-level Pioneer League. He hit a home run in his first at-bat and was named to the All-Star game.[10][11] He spent the whole season with Grand Junction, slashing .308/.438/.496 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 33 games.[12] He spent 2018 with the Asheville Tourists of the Single–A South Atlantic League where he batted .274 with five home runs, 44 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 124 games.[13]

Vilade spent 2019 with the Lancaster JetHawks of the High–A California League, slashing .303/.367/.466 with 12 home runs, 71 RBI, and 24 stolen bases.[14][15] He led the minor leagues with 13 sacrifice flies.[16] Prior to the 2020 season, which was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vilade began periodically playing in the outfield in addition to shortstop and third base.[17] To begin the 2021 season, Vilade was assigned to the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Triple-A West.[18] Defensively, he moved to left field and right field.[19] In June, Vilade was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field.[20] Over 108 games with the Isotopes, Vilade slashed .286/.339/.420 with seven home runs, 43 RBI, 27 doubles, and 12 stolen bases.[21]

On September 18, 2021, Colorado selected Vilade's contract and promoted him to the active roster to make his MLB debut that day versus the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.[22] He started in left field and went hitless over four at-bats.[23] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters after the season where he was named to the Fall Stars Game.[24][25] Vilade opened the 2022 season in the minor leagues with the Isotopes.[26]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On November 9, 2022, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Vilade off of waivers.[27] Vilade was optioned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians to begin the 2023 season.[28] He was designated for assignment on March 30, 2023.[29] On April 4, Vilade cleared waivers and was sent outright to Indianapolis.[30] He played in 122 games for Indianapolis, batting .271/.370/.382 with 6 home runs, 56 RBI, and 7 stolen bases. Vilade elected free agency following the season on November 6.[31]

Detroit Tigers

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On November 21, 2023, Vilade signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.[32] After starting the season at Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers selected Valade's contract on May 7, 2024, where he made his first major league start since 2021. He recorded his first two hits and first three RBI in that game.[33] Vilade was optioned back to the Mud Hens on May 13.[34] Vilade was called up for a second time on July 12.[35] In 17 games for the Tigers, he slashed .178/.208/.244 with one home run and five RBI. On November 4, Vilade was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Toledo.[36] He elected free agency two days later.[37]

References

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  1. ^ "Frisco's Ryan Vilade selected for Under Armour All-American Baseball Game | SportsDay". Sportsday.dallasnews.com. May 18, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "Frisco's Ryan Vilade wins Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field". SportsDay. July 24, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  3. ^ "USA Baseball 2016 18U National Team Announced, 12 Under Armour All-Americans Make Roster". Baseball Factory. September 23, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  4. ^ "Stillwater shortstop Ryan Vilade comes to terms with Colorado Rockies". tulsaworld.com. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  5. ^ "Rockies nab prep power-hitter Ryan Vilade in MLB draft — with echoes of Matt Holliday". The Denver Post. June 13, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  6. ^ "Stillwater's Ryan Vilade named Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year". tulsaworld.com. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  7. ^ "Valiant Vilade: Former Stillwater High prospect turning heads in the minors". Stillwater News Press. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  8. ^ "Rox take HS INF Vilade in 2nd round of Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  9. ^ "Top pick Vilade signs, 'ready to be a Rockie'". MLB.com.
  10. ^ "Stillwater's Ryan Vilade homers in first pro at-bat". newsok.com. June 27, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  11. ^ "Athlete of the Week: Ryan Vilade". Nbc11news.com. July 31, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "Ryan Vilade Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  13. ^ "Prospects Welker, Vilade eye power stroke". MLB.com.
  14. ^ Walsh, Nick (April 3, 2019). "The Rockies are struggling, but let's not hit the panic button yet". Purple Row. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "Rockies' outfield faces big questions ahead of 2021 season". December 13, 2020.
  16. ^ "2019 Register Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. ^ Etkin, Jack. "Ryan Vilade Makes Transition To Outfield". www.baseballamerica.com.
  18. ^ Sunshine, Nathaniel (May 4, 2021). "Colorado Rockies MiLB preview: Albuquerque Isotopes". Roxpile.com. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  19. ^ Kilpatrick, Bryan (June 16, 2021). "Rockies prospect Ryan Vilade relishing big jump to Triple-A -".
  20. ^ "2021 Futures Game rosters". Mlb.com. June 30, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  21. ^ RotoWire Staff. "Rockies' Ryan Vilade: Contract selected, starting". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  22. ^ Kilpatrick, Bryan (September 18, 2021). "Rockies to call up prospect Ryan Vilade, per source -". Mile High Sports. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  23. ^ Saunders, Patrick (September 18, 2021). ""Dangerous" Brendan Rodgers continues hot streak for Rockies – The Denver Post". Denverpost.com. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  24. ^ "Here are the Arizona Fall League rosters". MLB.com.
  25. ^ "Check out the Fall Stars Game rosters". MLB.com.
  26. ^ "Isotopes 2022 Opening Day Roster Announced".
  27. ^ "Pirates a to Z: Claimed off waivers, Ryan Vilade seeks fresh start with opportunity in outfield". December 17, 2022.
  28. ^ "Pirates' Ryan Vilade: Optioned to Triple-A level". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  29. ^ "Pirates Designate Ryan Vilade for Assignment".
  30. ^ "Pirates' Ryan Vilade: Clears waivers, outrighted". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  31. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Tigers' Ryan Vilade: Joins Detroit on MiLB pact". cbssports.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  33. ^ Petzold, Evan. "Detroit Tigers gash Guardians, 11-7, with Andy Ibáñez's two homers, Ryan Vilade's key hits". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  34. ^ "Detroit Tigers roster news: Shelby Miller injury update, Ryan Vilade optioned". Motor City Bengals. May 13, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  35. ^ Petzold, Evan. "Detroit Tigers add Ryan Vilade from Triple-A Toledo, option Akil Baddoo for fourth time". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  36. ^ "Tigers Decline Option On Casey Mize, Retain Club Control Via Arbitration". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  37. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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