In the world of Major League Baseball, few stories are as compelling as that of Cuban slugger Yuli Gurriel. From shining under Cuba’s bright lights to hoisting World Series trophies in Houston-and now bringing veteran savvy to the San Diego Padres-Gurriel’s journey reads like a Hollywood script.
At 40 years old and still swinging a potent bat, he’s carved out a remarkable career that blends raw talent, relentless work ethic, and a love for the game passed down from his father.
As 2025 unfolds, fans and fantasy managers alike are curious: What has this durable first baseman earned, who stands by his side off the field, and what lies ahead in terms of contracts and endorsements? Let’s take an up-close look at the life, career and finances of Yuli Gurriel.
Yuli Gurriel’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yulieski Gourriel Castillo |
| Date of Birth | June 9, 1984 |
| Age | 40 |
| Education | N/A |
| Nationality | Cuban |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lbs (97 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2002 (Cuban National Series debut) |
| Net Worth | $15 million (estimate) |
| Salary | $1,350,000 |
| Career Earnings | $61,760,094 |
| Wife | Lianet Barrera |
| Children | Sons: Yeremy, Jayden, Harem |
| @el_yuly10 | |
| @el_yuly10 |
Early Career
Yuli Gurriel’s story begins in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, where baseball is more than a pastime-it’s a way of life. Born into a baseball family, his father Lourdes Gurriel was a standout infielder in Cuba’s top league.
From the moment young Yulieski could hold a bat, he was immersed in the game. By his early teens, scouts had already spotted his sweet left-handed swing and fluid defensive skills at third base.
Gurriel debuted for Sancti Spíritus in the Cuban National Series, Cuba’s equivalent of professional baseball. He wasted no time making an impact, hitting for both power and average as he matured against seasoned veterans.
His rise was rapid: by 2004 he earned a spot on Cuba’s national team at the Athens Olympics, where he helped lead his country to a gold medal, showcasing his ability to deliver under the brightest lights of international competition.
The following years saw Gurriel solidify his status as one of Cuba’s premier hitters. In the 2006 World Baseball Classic, he racked up clutch hits and displayed a discipline rare for his age, drawing the attention of Major League scouts around the globe.
While Cuban players weren’t yet eligible for the MLB draft, many believed he would have gone in the first round had he been available. Back home, fans dubbed him “La Piña” for his sweet yet powerful stroke, and he became a perennial MVP candidate in the National Series.
Gurriel’s success at home inevitably led to a stint overseas. In 2015, he signed a one-year deal with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. There, he adapted to a new pitching style and cultural environment, posting solid numbers and earning praise for his professionalism and clubhouse leadership. Though his Japanese adventure lasted just one season, it reinforced his reputation as a well-rounded player ready for any challenge.
Professional Career
When Yuli Gurriel defected from Cuba in 2016, few expected him to make an immediate splash in MLB. Yet within months he had parlayed his elite pedigree into a blockbuster five-year, $47.5 million contract with the Houston Astros.
He made his big-league debut in August of that year and quickly put his Cuban and Japanese seasoning to work, seamlessly transitioning to North America’s hardest-throwing pitchers.
By 2017, Gurriel was a fixture at first base for a hungry Astros club. He slashed .299/.365/.455 over 140 games, providing timely hits and veteran savvy despite being just 33.
His postseason performance was a revelation-he batted over .300 across the Division and Championship Series and played a key role in Houston’s 2017 World Series victory over the Dodgers. With that ring, he joined a select group of players to win both an Olympic gold medal and a World Series title.
The next few seasons solidified Gurriel’s status as a cornerstone of Houston’s lineup. He posted averages north of .280 from 2018 through 2020, blending power to the opposite field with an uncanny ability to drive in runs in clutch situations. His defensive versatility-showcased in emergency stints at second base and shortstop-made him indispensable in Dusty Baker’s rotation of infielders.
Gurriel defied Father Time by winning the American League batting title with a .319 average. He became only the second Cuban-born player to claim that honor, joining batting legends like Tony Gwynn in the over-37 club.
That same year, he earned a Gold Glove at first base, becoming the oldest recipient at his position until another Cuban veteran, Carlos Santana, broke the mark in 2024.
Despite his late-career success, Houston opted not to re-sign him after the 2022 season. Gurriel spent 2023 with the Miami Marlins, where he delivered veteran leadership and a .292 average across 120 games. In April of 2024 he signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves but never saw MLB action there, spending most of the year at Triple-A Gwinnett and batting .378 with 12 home runs.
His big-league return came at the very end of August 2024, when the Kansas City Royals acquired him to fill in for an injured first baseman. Gurriel slotted right into the Royals’ lineup, earning a postseason roster spot and starting all four of Kansas City’s playoff games. While his bat went quiet early on (3-for-13 in his first four games), his presence lifted a young club and provided invaluable playoff poise.
Wife
Yuli Gurriel is married to Lianet Barrera, a fellow Cuban defector who shares his roots in Sancti Spíritus and now makes her home with him in the Miami area.
Lianet keeps a deliberately low profile-she doesn’t maintain public social media accounts and rarely appears in the spotlight-but she’s a steadfast presence behind the scenes, supporting Yuli’s career and their family with quiet strength.
Together they have three sons-Yeremy, Jayden and Harem-whom Lianet raises with the same values of resilience and community service that first inspired their journey from Cuba. Though she avoids fanfare, Lianet has partnered with Yuli on charitable initiatives tied to his teams.
Among their giving was a donation to Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School in Houston to provide 100 Chromebooks for students, and support for Kids’ Meals in that city, helping to furnish more than 22,000 nutritious meals for underprivileged children. In every way, Lianet balances family life, philanthropy and unwavering encouragement for her husband’s long and winding baseball journey.
Yuli Gurriel’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Yuli Gurriel’s net worth is estimated to be $15 million.
Contract
Yuli Gurriel’s current contract with the San Diego Padres for the 2025 season is a one-year deal valued at $1.35 million. This agreement reflects his role as a veteran presence who can contribute both as a reliable first baseman and a pinch-hitter.
While the contract is relatively modest compared to his earlier multi-year deals, it offers Gurriel the opportunity to continue showcasing his skills and leadership on a competitive team.
There are no long-term guarantees beyond this season, giving both Gurriel and the Padres flexibility as they evaluate roster needs and his performance moving forward.
Salary
For the 2025 season, Yuli Gurriel is earning a salary of $1.35 million with the San Diego Padres. This salary reflects his status as a seasoned veteran bringing valuable experience and steady offensive production to the team.
While it is lower than some of his previous multi-year contracts, this amount aligns with his role as a part-time starter and pinch-hitter at this stage of his career. The salary provides Gurriel with a solid compensation for continuing to compete at the Major League level while mentoring younger players and contributing in key moments throughout the season.
Career Earnings
| Year | Basic Salary | Signing Bonus | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 | $3,500,000 |
| 2017 | $14,000,000 | $0 | $14,000,000 |
| 2018 | $11,935,484 | $0 | $11,935,484 |
| 2019 | $10,000,000 | $0 | $10,000,000 |
| 2020 | $3,074,074 | $0 | $3,074,074 |
| 2021 | $6,500,000 | $0 | $6,500,000 |
| 2022 | $8,000,000 | $0 | $8,000,000 |
| 2023 | $1,250,000 | $0 | $1,250,000 |
| 2024 | N/A | – | – |
| 2025 | $1,350,000 | $0 | $1,350,000 |
MLB Career Stats
| Season | Team | Games Played (G) | At Bats (AB) | Runs (R) | Hits (H) | Doubles (2B) | Triples (3B) | Home Runs (HR) | Runs Batted In (RBI) | Walks (BB) | Batting Average (AVG) | On-Base Percentage (OBP) | Slugging Percentage (SLG) | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Houston Astros | 36 | 130 | 13 | 34 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 5 | .262 | .292 | .385 | .677 |
| 2017 | Houston Astros | 139 | 529 | 69 | 158 | 43 | 1 | 18 | 75 | 22 | .299 | .332 | .486 | .818 |
| 2018 | Houston Astros | 136 | 537 | 70 | 156 | 33 | 1 | 13 | 85 | 23 | .291 | .323 | .428 | .751 |
| 2019 | Houston Astros | 144 | 564 | 85 | 168 | 40 | 2 | 31 | 104 | 37 | .298 | .343 | .541 | .884 |
| 2020 | Houston Astros | 57 | 211 | 27 | 49 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 22 | 12 | .232 | .274 | .384 | .658 |
| 2021 | Houston Astros | 143 | 530 | 83 | 169 | 31 | 0 | 15 | 81 | 59 | .319 | .383 | .462 | .845 |
| 2022 | Houston Astros | 146 | 545 | 53 | 132 | 40 | 0 | 8 | 53 | 30 | .242 | .288 | .360 | .648 |
| 2023 | Miami Marlins | 108 | 298 | 32 | 73 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 27 | 26 | .245 | .304 | .359 | .663 |
| 2024 | Kansas City Royals | 18 | 54 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | .241 | .338 | .296 | .634 |
| 2025* | San Diego Padres | 16 | 36 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | .111 | .200 | .139 | .339 |
| Total | 943 | 3,434 | 441 | 957 | 225 | 8 | 98 | 471 | 227 | .279 | .325 | .435 | .760 |
FAQs
1. Who is Yuli Gurriel and what teams has he played for?
Yuli Gurriel is a Cuban professional baseball first baseman currently with the San Diego Padres. He has played in MLB for the Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, and Kansas City Royals, as well as in Cuba and Japan before defecting to MLB in 2016. He is an Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Series champion.
2. What are some of Yuli Gurriel’s career achievements?
Gurriel won the 2017 and 2022 World Series with the Astros, the 2021 AL batting title, and the 2021 Gold Glove at first base. He is one of few players to win both an Olympic gold medal and a World Series title. He also set multiple Astros rookie records in 2017.
3. How did Yuli Gurriel perform in the 2021 MLB season?
Gurriel batted .319 with 15 home runs and 81 RBIs, winning the AL batting title. He led AL first basemen in assists and defensive runs saved, earning his first Gold Glove. He was the oldest first baseman to win the award at that time.
4. What is Yuli Gurriel’s batting style and strengths?
Gurriel bats right-handed and is notable for having a better batting average against right-handed pitchers. He excels at hitting breaking balls away, especially sliders, showing strong contact skills and plate discipline.
5. What role did Yuli Gurriel play in the Astros’ postseason success?
Gurriel was a key contributor in multiple postseason runs, including the 2017 and 2022 World Series championships. He has over 70 postseason hits, ranking fourth among MLB first basemen, and has produced clutch hitting in critical playoff series.
6. What is Yuli Gurriel’s defensive profile?
Primarily a first baseman, Gurriel has also played shortstop and second base. He is known for solid defense, leading AL first basemen in assists and ranking highly in defensive runs saved, double plays, and fielding percentage.
7. What is Yuli Gurriel’s background before MLB?
Gurriel played for Sancti Spiritus in Cuba’s National Series and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan’s NPB. He was considered Cuba’s best player in 2006 and defected in 2016 to join MLB.
8. How does Yuli Gurriel’s family relate to baseball?
Yuli Gurriel is the son of former Cuban player Lourdes Gurriel and older brother of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The family lives in Miami, Florida.
9. What are some notable records Yuli Gurriel holds with the Astros?
He set Astros rookie records for doubles, extra base hits, slugging percentage, and total bases. In 2018, he set the club record for batting average with runners in scoring position at .403.
10. What are Yuli Gurriel’s recent career stats and status?
Through seven seasons with Houston, Gurriel batted .284 with 94 home runs and 435 RBIs. In 2022, he hit .242 with 8 home runs and 53 RBIs. He became a free agent after the 2022 season and signed with the Padres in 2025.
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