Position: OF
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/L
Born: 02/13/1999
Country: Dominican Republic
Signed: International Free Agent, 2015 (Astros)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agency
Bonus: $2,500,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 0
Overview
Celestino was Houston’s top international signing in 2015, getting $2.5M. He was thought to have a good chance of playing center, and a good approach at the plate with some raw power. As a pro, he’s hit for a decent average with pretty good strike zone judgment, but he hasn’t shown much power. A big issue is hitting the ball on the ground far too often. Statcast shows him to have well above average speed and rated him above average playing center in 2022, but for some reason some scouts think he should be in an outfield corner. He hasn’t been a big base stealer. His arm is well above average. The Pirates signed Celestino to a minor league contract for 2024.
2016-20
Celestino made his way from the Dominican Summer League to High Class A over four years. He consistently hit .270+ with solid walk/strikeout ratios, but he topped out at ten home runs. Minnesota acquired him from the Astros in a deadline deal in 2018 and the following year, he had his best pro season. Baseball America consistently ranked him among the Astros’ and Twins’ top 30 prospects, topping out at #10 after the pandemic season in 2020. The Twins added Celestino to the 40-man roster after the 2019 season.
2021-22
In 2021, Celestino started off in AA. He hit just OK there, but the Twins called him up at the beginning of June. He struggled over two months, batting just .136. The Twins sent him down to AAA and he hit well there, putting up an .827 OPS over 49 games.
In 2022, Minnesota called Celestino up after two games in AAA and he spent the rest of the season in the majors. He didn’t hit very well, batting 238/313/302. He had a reverse platoon split.
2023
Celestino had surgery on a torn thumb ligament in March. He returned in June and spent the season in AAA. He didn’t hit with much authority, but he had more walks (42) than strikeouts (37), leaving him with a line of 243/392/389. After the season, the Twins outrighted Celestino off the 40-man roster and he elected free agency. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal for 2024. He has no options left.
Stats
Transactions
July 2, 2015: Signed by the Houston Astros as an international free agent.
July 27, 2018: Traded by the Houston Astros with Jorge Alcala to the Minnesota Twins for Ryan Pressly.
November 20, 2019: Contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins.
October 5, 2023: Outrighted to AAA by the Minnesota Twins.
November 6, 2023: Became a free agent.
November 20, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.