Maikel Cleto


Maikel Jose Cleto is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox.

Professional career

New York Mets

Cleto began his professional career in with the GCL Mets. He went 1–2 with a 5.03 ERA, one save and 28 strikeouts.
In Cleto split the season between the Class-A Savannah Sand Gnats and the Class-A Advanced St. Lucie Mets. He had a combined record of 5–12 with a 4.41 ERA, one shutout and 82 strikeouts in 26 games, 23 starts between the two clubs.

Seattle Mariners

On December 11, 2008 Cleto was traded to the Mariners with Aaron Heilman, Endy Chávez, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp and Ezequiel Carrera in exchange for J. J. Putz, Jeremy Reed and Sean Green.
Cleto split the season between the Rookie-Level Peoria Mariners and the Class-A Clinton LumberKings. He went 0–4 with a 5.54 ERA and 25 strikeouts in nine games, eight starts. He attended spring training with the Mariners but was assigned to the Minor Leagues early in camp. Cleto was placed on the disabled list of July 7 due to back discomfort and made his return on August 15.

St. Louis Cardinals

On December 12, 2010 it was announced Cleto was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for shortstop Brendan Ryan.
Cleto was activated on June 2, 2011, directly from AA to shore up an overworked bullpen.

Kansas City Royals

Cleto was claimed off waivers to the Kansas City Royals on June 23, 2013. On February 17, 2014, he was designated for assignment by the Royals.

Chicago White Sox

Cleto was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox on February 26, 2014. To make room on the roster the Sox designated infielder Jake Elmore for assignment. Cleto was designated for assignment on May 10 to make room for Frank Francisco on the White Sox roster. He was called back up on August 4, 2014. On February 2, 2016, the Chicago White Sox resigned Cleto to a minor league contract. He was released on March 31, 2016.

Vaqueros Laguna

On May 30, 2016, Cleto signed with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican Baseball League. They released him on July 1, 2016.

Atlanta Braves

On July 3rd, the Braves signed Cleto to a minor league deal. He was assigned to the AAA Gwinnett Braves. He became a free agent after the season.

Chicago Cubs

On December 13, 2016, Cleto signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He was released on March 13, 2017.

Mexican League (2017–present)

On May 4, 2017, Cleto signed with the Vaqueros Unión Laguna of the Mexican Baseball League. On June 20, 2017, he was traded to the Leones de Yucatán. On March 19, 2018, Cleto was traded back to the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna prior to the beginning of the 2018 season. On July 17, 2018, Cleto was traded back to the Leones de Yucatán. On June 1, 2019, Cleto was loaned to the Toros de Tijuana. On July 2, 2019, he was loaned to the Rieleros de Aguascalientes. Cleto signed with the Piratas de Campeche for the 2020 season.

Pitching style

Cleto is a hard-thrower, wielding a four-seam fastball at 96–99 mph. The fastball is by far his most used pitch, but he also throws three off-speed pitches: a changeup to lefties, a slider to righties, and a curveball to hitters from both sides of the plate.