A remarkable display of speed has emerged from the Los Angeles Angels’ farm system, with 17-year-old Juan Cespedes etching his name in the record books. Playing for the Angels’ Dominican Summer League affiliate, Cespedes achieved an astounding eight stolen bases in a single game. This feat marks the highest number of stolen bases recorded by a minor league player in one game since at least 2005, according to official Major League Baseball data.
A Night of Baserunning Brilliance
Cespedes’ electrifying performance began with a walk in his first at-bat, from which he promptly advanced to second, then third, and ultimately home plate. His second time reaching base came via a throwing error. While he managed to steal second base, his attempt to advance further was unsuccessful. He continued to showcase his prowess on the basepaths, stealing second and third base on two subsequent occasions after reaching base again later in the contest.
The young outfielder, who hails from the Dominican Republic, was substituted out of the game in the top of the seventh inning, replaced by Yelinson Betances. Cespedes joined the Angels organization as an international free agent, reportedly signing a deal during the 2025-26 international signing period and receiving a $300,000 signing bonus.
Impressive Minor League Stats
In 13 games played for the rookie-level Angels team, Cespedes is demonstrating exceptional offensive talent to complement his speed. He boasts a .395 batting average with an .975 OPS. His aggressive baserunning has already resulted in 25 stolen bases in just 56 plate appearances, with only two instances of being caught stealing.
Cespedes’ extraordinary baserunning abilities are sure to put the rest of the league on notice if he maintains his current trajectory. For historical context, the major league record for stolen bases in a single game is seven, achieved by Billy Hamilton in 1894 while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.
