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Dante Bichette Jr.

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Dante Bichette Jr.
Dante Bichette Jr
Third baseman / First baseman
Born: (1992-09-26) September 26, 1992 (age 32)
Orlando, Florida
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Alphonse Dante Bichette Jr. (born September 26, 1992) is an American former professional baseball third baseman and first baseman. He was drafted by the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft.

Early life and career

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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, representing Maitland, Florida.[3][4] One of his teammates was future MLB player Max Moroff, and the team's two assistant coaches were Mike Stanley and Dante Bichette. 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

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New York Yankees

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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.

Bichette spent the 2017 season with the Double–A Trenton Thunder, playing in 72 games and hitting .262/.352/.353 with four home runs and 33 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[11]

St. Paul Saints

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On December 23, 2017, Bichette signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.[12] He was released on March 28, 2018.

On April 2, 2018, Bichette signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.[13] In 99 games for the Saints, he batted .310/.355/.434 with nine home runs and 52 RBI.

High Point Rockers

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On February 21, 2019, Bichette was traded to the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was named Atlantic League Player of the Month for April and May. Bichette appeared in 36 games for the Rockers, batting .386/.412/.514 with three home runs and 23 RBI.[14]

Washington Nationals

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On June 7, 2019, Bichette's contract was purchased by the Washington Nationals organization.[15] He spent the remainder of the year with the Double–A Harrisburg Senators, batting .297/.348/.402 with two home runs and 33 RBI across 73 games.[16] Bichette elected free agency following the season on November 4.[17]

On December 26, 2019, Bichette re-signed with the Nationals on a minor league contract. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] Bichette was released by the Nationals organization on May 31, 2020.

International career

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Bichette represented Brazil in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Both Bichette 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.[19]

Personal life

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Bichette’s father, Dante, is a former Major League Baseball player and four-time All-Star. His younger brother, Bo, currently plays with the Toronto Blue Jays.[20]

On June 11, 2024, Bichette alleged that his father Dante had abused him as a child while playing youth baseball.[21]

References

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  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. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. 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. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  12. ^ Downing, Kyle (December 23, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/23/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  13. ^ "Dante's Inferno: Saints Sign Former Yankees First Rounder, Infielder Bichette Jr". St. Paul Saints. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Nationals Sign Dante Bichette Jr". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  16. ^ "MLB: hoping we haven't seen the last of Dante Bichette Jr". calltothepen.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  17. ^ Matt Eddy (November 7, 2019). "Minor League Free Agents 2019". Baseball America. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  18. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  19. ^ "Hall of Famer Barry Larkin has ambitious plans to grow baseball in Brazil". Espn.com. September 23, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  20. ^ "ALL-USA Watch: Bo Bichette has been bombing away for Lakewood (Fla.) baseball". May 2, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  21. ^ "Dante Bichette Jr. says ex-Blue Jays staffer dad abused him as a child". dailyhive.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
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