The following article is the official statement of the Miami Marlins and the MLB regarding Christian Yelich’s contract extension which consists of a 7-year 49.9 Million contract, with an option por an eight year.
Marlins statement of Yelich’s extension
MIAMI – The Miami Marlins today announced that they have signed Christian Yelich to a contract extension through the 2021 season, with a club option for 2022. The announcement was made by Marlins’ President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill.
Last season, Yelich, 23, became the first Marlins’ outfielder ever to win a Gold Glove Award and the first Marlins player to win the Award since March Buehrle in 2012. He led all National League left fielders with a .996 fielding percentage in 2014, committing just one error in 262 chances. His fielding percentage also set a new Marlins’ record for left fielders. In addition, he was named the Marlins’ recipient of the Heart & Hustle Award by the MLB Players Alumni Association.
Yelich posted a .284 batting average in 2014, with 45 extra-base hits and 21 stolen bases. Among leadoff hitters, his .365 on-base percentage ranked second in Major League Baseball and the National League, while his 92 runs scored ranked third in the NL and fourth in MLB. His 21 steals ranked ninth among NL outfielders. For his career, he owns a .285 average with a .365 OBP in 206 Major League games.
The first-round selection (23rd overall) by the Marlins in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Yelich made his MLB debut on July 23, 2013 in Colorado. He was named the Marlins’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2011 and ’12, becoming the first Miami Minor Leaguer to win the award twice.
Additional information can be found at the Marlins official website, www.marlins.com.
You can also find our analysis of the extension: http://old.lastwordonsports.com/2015/03/21/analyzing-christian-yelich-contract/
Main Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images
MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER10: Christian Yelich #21 of the Miami Marlins hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Miller Park on September 10, 2014 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.