Gio Urshela has carved out a reputation as a gritty, reliable infielder in Major League Baseball. Born in Cartagena, Colombia, he first captured attention as an international free-agent signee before working his way steadily through the minor leagues.
Since his 2015 debut with the Cleveland Indians, Urshela has worn the uniforms of eight different MLB clubs, earning praise for his defensive versatility and knack for timely hitting.
He agreed to a one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Oakland Athletics, marking the eighth major league organization of his journeyman career.
Gio Urshela’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giovanny Urshela Salcedo |
| Date of Birth | October 11, 1991 |
| Age | 33 |
| Education | N/A |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 220 lb (99.8 kg) |
| Turned Pro | Signed July 2008 (Cleveland Indians) |
| Net Worth | $26 million |
| Salary | $2,150,000 |
| Career Earnings | $25,961,734 |
| Wife | Danna Delgado |
| N/A | |
| N/A |
Early Career
Giovanny Urshela’s baseball journey began when he was 16 years old, signing with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent in July 2008. He spent his first professional season in 2009 splitting time between the Dominican Summer League Indians and the Arizona League Indians, where he showed promising bat-to-ball skills and raw defensive tools at third base.
By 2010, he had advanced to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York–Penn League, posting a .290 batting average over 58 games and leading league third basemen in assists, a testament to his strong arm and quick reactions.
Urshela moved up to full-season ball with the Lake County Captains in the Midwest League. While his batting average dipped to .238, he continued to refine his glove work and plate discipline.
The following year with the Class A+ Carolina Mudcats, he made a noticeable leap: slashing .278/.309/.446 with 14 home runs and 30 doubles in 127 games. His power surge and improved approach at the plate caught the organization’s eye, and he earned a spot on Cleveland’s 40-man roster after the 2014 campaign.
Urshela was promoted to Triple-A Columbus, where he polished his infield versatility and posted an .826 OPS over 59 games. That winter, he represented Colombia in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers, gaining international exposure and experience against top competition.
By the spring of 2015, Baseball America ranked him among the Indians’ top prospects, and he broke camp at Columbus with his sights set on the majors.
Professional Career
Urshela was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in May 2018 for future considerations. His time in Toronto was brief-19 games at the major league level-before he was designated for assignment. The New York Yankees claimed him off waivers shortly thereafter, and it was in pinstripes where Urshela’s career truly blossomed.
He became a fixture at third base, earning a reputation as a clutch hitter and Gold Glove-caliber defender. Urshela posted career highs in batting average (.314), OPS (.889) and extra-base hits (55 doubles, eight triples), helping the Yankees secure an AL East title.
He followed with a .298 season in the pandemic-condensed 2020 campaign and provided valuable depth through the 2021 season, when hamstring and COVID-19 stints limited him to 116 games.
The Yankees traded Urshela to the Minnesota Twins in March 2022 in a three-player deal. In Minnesota, he slashed .285/.338/.429 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs, leading the majors in instances of being picked off base-a quirky statistical footnote to an otherwise consistent season. The Twins saw him as a left-handed bat who could play multiple infield spots, and he added veteran leadership to a young clubhouse.
The Minnesota front office shipped Urshela to the Los Angeles Angels. He began 2023 as the team’s starting shortstop but suffered a left pelvis fracture on June 15 while diving back into first base.
Though he avoided surgery, the injury ended his season after 62 games, during which he hit .299 with two homers and 24 RBIs. Despite the setback, his smooth glove work remained evident when healthy.
Wife
Gio Urshela is grounded by his family life. He married Colombian journalist Danna Delgado in 2021, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Gianna.
Urshela often credits Danna’s support for helping him navigate the demands of professional baseball and life on the road. Though private about personal matters, he has shared glimpses of family time on social media, emphasizing the importance of fatherhood and partnership amid a hectic playing schedule.
Gio Urshela’s Net Worth Details
Urshela’s net worth is estimated to be $26 million as of 2025.
Contract
Gio Urshela’s deal with the Oakland Athletics is a one-year, $2.15 million contract for the 2025 season, fully guaranteed upon signing. In addition to his base salary, Urshela can earn up to $450,000 in performance incentives tied to plate-appearance milestones-$100,000 bonuses for reaching 300, 350, 400 and 450 trips to the plate, plus a $50,000 bonus at 500 plate appearances.
The agreement, announced December 22, 2024 and pending a standard physical, gives the versatile infielder both financial security and the chance to boost his earnings through on-field production.
Salary
Gio Urshela’s 2025 deal with the Oakland Athletics guarantees him a $2.15 million base salary under a one-year contract, all of which is fully guaranteed upon signing.
In addition to that base pay, he can earn up to $450,000 more in plate-appearance incentives-$100,000 each for reaching 300, 350, 400 and 450 trips to the plate, plus a $50,000 bonus for 500 plate appearances.
This structure rewards Urshela’s veteran versatility and gives him a clear path to increase his earnings through regular playing time.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team(s) | Base Salary | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Cleveland Indians | $330,013 | $330,013 | $330,013 |
| 2017 | Cleveland Indians | $535,000 | $535,000 | $865,013 |
| 2018 | Cleveland/Blue Jays/Yankees | $238,788 | $238,788 | $1,103,801 |
| 2019 | New York Yankees | $528,168 | $528,168 | $1,631,969 |
| 2020 | New York Yankees | $916,667 | $916,667 | $2,548,636 |
| 2021 | New York Yankees | $4,650,000 | $4,650,000 | $7,198,636 |
| 2022 | Minnesota Twins | $6,550,000 | $6,550,000 | $13,748,636 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Angels | $8,400,000 | $8,400,000 | $22,148,636 |
| 2024 | Detroit Tigers / Atlanta Braves | $1,663,098 | $1,663,098 | $23,811,734 |
| 2025 | Oakland Athletics | $2,150,000 | $2,150,000 | $25,961,734 |
MLB Career Stats
| Season | AB | AVG | HR | RBI | SB | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career (thru ’25) | 2,714 | .271 | 73 | 344 | 7 | .726 |
| 2025 | 88 | .227 | 0 | 12 | 0 | .621 |
FAQs
1. What is Gio Urshela’s background and current team?
Giovanny Urshela Salcedo, born October 11, 1991, in Cartagena, Colombia, is a right-handed third baseman for the Oakland Athletics. He signed a one-year deal with Oakland for the 2025 season after stints with seven other MLB clubs, bringing veteran leadership and defensive prowess to the A’s infield based on sources.
2. When and where did Gio Urshela make his Major League debut?
After spending over two months with Cleveland, he was later traded to Toronto and then moved through several organizations before establishing himself as a regular MLB starter based on sources.
3. Which teams has Gio Urshela played for during his MLB career?
Urshela has played for eight franchises: Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and now the Oakland Athletics. His journey reflects both offensive development and defensive reliability based on sources.
4. What are Gio Urshela’s career batting statistics through early 2025?
Urshela has amassed a .271 career batting average with 736 hits, 73 home runs, and 344 RBIs. He has collected 305 runs scored and posted a .726 OPS in 2,714 at-bats, demonstrating consistent offensive production over ten MLB seasons based on sources.
5. What defensive position does Gio Urshela primarily play?
Urshela is primarily a third baseman, noted for an above-average glove and strong arm. He bats and throws right-handed and has occasionally filled in at first base or shortstop, bringing versatility and steady defense to whichever infield role he occupies based on sources.
6. How tall is Gio Urshela and what is his physical profile?
He stands six feet tall and weighs 215 pounds, combining solid strength with athletic mobility. His right-handed swing and sturdy build have helped him drive the ball for power while maintaining range and reliability at the hot corner based on sources.
7. What notable postseason achievement does Gio Urshela have?
Urshela became the first third baseman in Yankees postseason history to hit a grand slam. That swing helped New York sweep his former team, the Cleveland Indians, and advanced the Yankees to the Division Series based on sources.
8. What injury challenges has Gio Urshela faced?
Urshela suffered a left pelvis fracture that ended his season. He also missed time in 2024 due to groin soreness. Despite these setbacks, he has consistently returned to form and maintained his defensive standards based on sources.
9. What is the value and structure of Gio Urshela’s contract with the Athletics?
Urshela’s deal with Oakland is a one-year contract worth $2.15 million, with up to $450,000 in bonuses if he reaches 500 plate appearances. These incentives reflect his role as a regular starter and the A’s desire for durability and veteran presence based on sources.
10. How is Gio Urshela regarded defensively and within clubhouses?
Widely praised as an above-average defender at third base, Urshela brings veteran leadership and a steady work ethic. His clubhouse presence is valued for mentoring younger players, and his consistent defensive performance helps solidify the left side of the Athletics’ infield based on sources.
