Vinnie Pasquantino

Vincent Joseph Pasquantino (born October 10, 1997) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career
Pasquantino attended James River High School in Midlothian, Virginia. In 2016, he enrolled at Old Dominion University and played college baseball for the Old Dominion Monarchs. In 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League. After his junior season at Old Dominion, he was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 11th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.

Professional career


Pasquantino made his professional debut in 2019 with the Rookie-level Burlington Royals, batting .294 with 14 home runs and 53 runs batted in (RBIs) over 57 games. He did not play in 2020 because the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He started the 2021 season with the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits before being promoted to the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Over 116 games between the two teams, he slashed .300/.394/.563 with 24 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 37 doubles.

Pasquantino opened the 2022 season with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers. After the Royals traded first baseman Carlos Santana on June 27, the Royals promoted Pasquantino to the major leagues to take his place on the active roster. On July 1, Pasquantino hit a home run off of Detroit Tigers starter Michael Pineda for his first career major league hit. Pasquantino hit his second career homer on July 11, coincidentally also off of Pineda. He was named the American League player of the week for August 8 to 14 when he hit .455 with four home runs and six RBIs in six games.

Pasquantino made the Opening Day roster for Kansas City in 2023. Playing in 61 games, he hit .247/.324/.437 with 9 home runs and 26 RBI. On June 14, 2023, it was announced that Pasquantino would undergo season–ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Pasquantino began the 2024 season as the Royals' staring first baseman.

International career
Pasquantino was on the Italy national baseball team roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Personal life
Pasquantino and Ryann Harris announced their engagement in September 2022. Like Pasquantino, Harris attended Old Dominion University, where she played for the women's soccer team.