Miguel Diloné – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Miguel Diloné put together a fascinating 12-year Major League Baseball career from 1974 to 1985, bouncing around seven different teams in both leagues. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, he built a reputation as a skilled base stealer and a switch-hitting outfielder who could really shake up a game with his speed. His overall stats might look modest, but Diloné’s journey through pro baseball gives us a real look at what life was like for a journeyman player in the 1970s and 1980s.

Diloné’s career hit its high point in 1980, when he batted .341 for the Cleveland Indians, finishing third in the American League batting race and swiping 61 bases. This breakout year finally arrived after he’d spent years fighting for steady playing time, and it showed that sometimes, a player just needs the right shot. His story is a reminder—talent and persistence can collide to create some truly memorable moments in baseball.

From his early days as the youngest player in the National League at 19 to his last season with the San Diego Padres, Diloné’s career path shows the ups and downs of pro baseball. He experienced big trades, standout games, and the kind of grit that defined so many players of his era who left their mark with specialized skills rather than star power.

Miguel Diloné’s Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Miguel Ángel Diloné Reyes was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic on November 1, 1954. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed him as a teenager, setting him on a path through the minors that led to his MLB debut at just 19.

Birth and Family Background

Miguel Ángel Diloné Reyes entered the world on November 1, 1954, in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He grew up in a country where baseball isn’t just a sport—it’s a way out and a way up.

By the 1950s, the Dominican Republic was already becoming a hot spot for Major League Baseball talent. Young players like Diloné looked up to Dominican stars who’d already made it to the big leagues.

Santiago, up in the north, offered an environment where baseball was everywhere. The city produced plenty of future major leaguers.

Diloné’s family encouraged his baseball dreams while he was growing up. His speed and athleticism stood out early, and those traits would stick with him through his entire career.

Signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates picked up Diloné as an amateur free agent while he was still a teenager. They’d built a strong presence in the Dominican Republic by the late 1960s and 70s, always on the lookout for new talent.

He joined the Pirates at a time when the team was aiming for long-term success. The Pirates liked his blazing speed and potential as a switch-hitter, which made him an interesting prospect.

His signing reflected how MLB teams were starting to invest more in Dominican players. The Pirates saw Diloné as someone they could develop into a real asset with the right coaching.

Moving from Dominican amateur leagues to the U.S. minor leagues wasn’t easy. Diloné had to deal with language barriers and a whole new style of play.

Minor League Achievements

Diloné spent his early pro years working on his skills in the Pirates’ minor league system. His speed on the bases really set him apart, and he racked up stolen bases at every stop.

He worked on switch-hitting and learned to play all over the outfield. The Pirates’ coaches tried to help him round out his game, even though he was just 6 feet tall and 160 pounds.

Diloné’s minor league numbers showed he had what it took to make it to the majors. He got on base, and his baserunning turned singles into scoring chances.

By 1974, at just 19, Diloné had climbed through the minors quickly enough to get his first call-up. On September 2, 1974, he debuted with the Pirates, becoming the youngest player in the majors at the time.

Major League Career Timeline

Miguel Diloné played 12 seasons across seven teams from 1974 to 1985, carving out a niche as a speed specialist who stole 267 bases in his career. He started as a teenage prospect with the Pirates and hit his stride with a huge 1980 season for the Cleveland Indians, batting .341 and finishing third in the AL batting race.

Debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

Diloné made his MLB debut on September 2, 1974, at just 19, making him the youngest player in the National League that year. He entered the second game of a doubleheader against the Phillies as a defensive sub in center field during the ninth inning of an 11-1 Pirates win.

He got his first plate appearance five days later against the Montreal Expos in the bottom of the 12th of a tie game. Manager Danny Murtaugh sent Diloné up to pinch-hit for pitcher Ramon Hernandez with a runner on and two outs. Diloné drew a walk off Dale Murray, and Dave Parker followed with the game-winning hit.

Pittsburgh Pirates Stats (1974-1977):

• Games: 55
• Batting Average: .145
• Stolen Bases: 23
• Runs Scored: 23

Diloné spent four seasons with Pittsburgh, mostly as a September call-up while he kept developing in the minors. He struggled at the plate but showed off his speed, stealing bases whenever he got the chance. The Pirates traded him to Oakland on April 4, 1978, along with Elias Sosa and Mike Edwards for Manny Sanguillen.

Oakland Athletics and Breakout Opportunity

The Oakland Athletics finally gave Diloné steady playing time in 1978, putting him in as their starting left fielder. He responded by swiping 50 bases, though he hit just .229. That year, he also hit his first major league homer against the Yankees.

In 1979, his struggles at the plate continued. He was hitting just .187 when Oakland sent him to Triple-A Ogden in June. The Chicago Cubs picked up his contract on July 4, giving him a fresh start in the National League.

Oakland Athletics Stats (1978-1979):

• Games: 136
• Batting Average: .222
• Home Runs: 1
• Stolen Bases: 56

His time with Oakland, while rough offensively, helped him grow as a base stealer and gain confidence in the big leagues.

Transition to Chicago Cubs

Diloné’s run with the Cubs was short but pretty effective. Mostly used as a pinch-runner and defensive sub, he made the most of his chances. In only 38 plate appearances, he hit .306 and stole 15 bases.

Chicago provided a better environment for him to play to his strengths. His speed off the bench became a real asset, and he started looking more like the player he’d become in Cleveland.

Chicago Cubs Stats (1979):

• Games: 31
• Batting Average: .306
• Stolen Bases: 15
• On-Base Percentage: .342

This brief stint in Chicago gave Diloné a boost of confidence and showed he could help a team if used right. Still, the Cubs didn’t give him regular time, and he headed back to the minors to start 1980.

Cleveland Indians Peak Performance

The Cleveland Indians bought Diloné’s contract on May 7, 1980, and that move changed everything for him. He came in as an injury replacement for Rick Manning but quickly took over left field. Diloné, tired of being labeled as a guy who “can’t hit,” told the Akron Beacon Journal, “People said I can’t hit. They see my .214 batting average. But I never played regular. I only played eight games in a row once until this season.”

His 1980 season was something else. He batted .341 with a .375 OBP and stole 61 bases, setting a team record. That .341 average put him just behind George Brett’s legendary .390 season.

Cleveland Indians Peak Stats (1980):

• Games: 132
• Batting Average: .341
• Stolen Bases: 61 (team record)
• AL Batting Average Rank: 3rd

The 1981 strike-shortened season saw his average slip to .290 as he missed spring training due to legal issues back home. His grip on a starting job loosened despite his previous year’s success.

In 1982, he got the starting gig back but struggled, hitting just .235 in over 400 plate appearances. By 1983, things got worse—he was batting .191 when Cleveland sent him down to Triple-A Charleston in July.

Late Career with Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, and San Diego Padres

Diloné spent his last years bouncing between teams. On September 1, 1983, Cleveland traded him to the Chicago White Sox as part of a deal involving Rich Barnes. He only played four games, going hitless in three at-bats but stealing one base.

A week later, on September 7, the White Sox shipped him back to Pittsburgh with Mike Maitland for Randy Niemann. His second Pirates stint was basically as a pinch-runner—he appeared in seven games.

The Montreal Expos picked him up as a free agent in January 1984. Over two seasons in Montreal, he hit .249 and stole 34 bases in 280 plate appearances. By now, his speed was fading, and at 30, he was no longer the same threat.

Final Career Statistics:

• Montreal Expos (1984-1985): .249 average, 34 stolen bases
• San Diego Padres (1985): .217 average, 10 stolen bases in 27 games

Montreal released him in July 1985, and the San Diego Padres signed him two weeks later. He spent some time in Triple-A Las Vegas.

Signature Skills and Playing Style

Miguel Diloné’s 12-year MLB career was all about speed and baserunning. His switch-hitting and solid outfield defense made him a useful role player for seven different teams.

Stolen Bases and Baserunning Excellence

Diloné’s speed really defined his career. He swiped 267 bases, making him one of the best base stealers of his time.

In 1978 with Oakland, he pulled off a weird feat—stealing 50 bases without hitting a single triple that year. That’s pretty unique.

His best year on the bases came in 1980 with Cleveland. Fans loved him for this, and he could change a game just by getting on base.

In his last seasons, the stolen base numbers dropped off. Between 1984 and 1985 with Montreal, he managed just 34 steals in 280 plate appearances as his speed faded.

Batting Approach and Hitting Profile

Diloné hit from both sides but focused on contact, not power. His lifetime average of .265 shows he was more of a table-setter than a run producer.

He racked up 530 hits in just over 2,000 at-bats. Offensively, he just wanted to get on base and let his legs do the work.

Power wasn’t his game—he hit only 6 home runs in 800 games and had 129 RBIs in 12 seasons.

His OPS of .648 was below average, sure, but his value came from creating scoring chances once he got aboard.

Fielding and Role as an Outfielder

Diloné spent most of his career in center field, where he built a reputation as a reliable defender. His speed let him cover plenty of ground out there.

He played 800 games in the majors, mostly in center. Teams kept him on the roster for his defensive skills even though his bat never really scared anyone.

Managers liked having him around for his versatility and steady glove. He could fill in as a starter or provide solid backup when the team needed it.

People often overlooked what he did in the field, but honestly, his defense kept him in baseball for over a decade. Sure, his offense had limits, but his glove and legs did the talking when it counted.

Standout Seasons and Career Highlights

Miguel Diloné spent 12 years in the big leagues, but one year really stood out and showed what he could do as a major league player. That 1980 season with Cleveland pretty much defined his career, while his minor league days hinted early on at his speed.

1980 Season with Cleveland Indians

In 1980, Diloné hit the high point of his career. After joining the Cleveland Indians on May 7, he grabbed his shot at regular playing time.

He put up a wild .341 batting average, ranking third in the American League behind George Brett’s famous .390. His line of .341/.375/.432 was a huge jump from his earlier seasons.

That year, he also set a Cleveland Indians team record with 61 stolen bases, the third-best in the American League. The guy could just fly—his base running really sparked Cleveland’s offense.

He told the Akron Beacon Journal, “People said I can’t hit. They see my .214 batting average. But I never played regular. I only played eight games in a row once until this season.”

He got his chance after Rick Manning went down with an injury. Diloné started out platooning in left field but eventually won the everyday job.

Carolina League MVP and Minor League Recognition

Diloné made waves in the minors, where his speed set him apart. In 1973, he swiped a Western Carolinas League record 95 bases in just 115 games.

His best minor league year came in 1974 with Salem in the Carolina League. At 19, he hit .333/.414/.444 and stole 85 bases before Pittsburgh called him up in September.

Back in 1972 with Niagara Falls in the New York-Penn League, Diloné finished third in stolen bases with 41 steals in 61 games. He only got caught 10 times, which shows how sharp he was as a base runner.

All those minor league numbers put Diloné on the map as a top speed threat. He was always near the top of the leaderboard for steals, no matter the league.

Notable Milestones and Records

Diloné hit a few big milestones over his career. When Pittsburgh called him up in September 1974, he became the youngest player in the National League at just 19.

He racked up 267 stolen bases, which puts him 207th all-time in MLB history. More impressive, his 77.39 percent success rate ranked him 58th among all players for steals.

Back home, he made an even bigger mark. Diloné led the Dominican League in stolen bases for 10 of his first 12 seasons and still held the league’s career stolen base record as of 2019.

He picked up his first major league hit on September 28, 1976, against the Cubs—beating out a grounder to third with his classic “slap-and-run” style.

He only hit six home runs in his career, but his speed made him useful as a pinch-runner and late-inning defender all the way through his 12 seasons.

Teams and Noteworthy Transactions

Miguel Diloné bounced around the majors for 12 seasons, playing for seven different teams. His biggest move involved a trade for veteran catcher Manny Sanguillen. Honestly, his journey shows just how much player movement there was in baseball during the 1970s and 1980s.

Trade for Manny Sanguillen

In December 1976, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Diloné to Oakland as part of a deal that brought Manny Sanguillen back to Pittsburgh. That trade really changed things for Diloné early in his career.

Sanguillen had been a huge part of Pittsburgh’s World Series teams in 1971 and 1979. Oakland decided to take a chance on Diloné’s youth and speed, even though Sanguillen was a proven veteran.

For Diloné, moving to Oakland finally gave him a real big league shot after the Pirates drafted him in 1972. The A’s liked his speed and the fact that he could switch-hit.

The deal worked out for both teams. Sanguillen returned to Pittsburgh, and Diloné got more chances to play in Oakland’s outfield through the late ‘70s.

Signings and Transfers Across MLB

Diloné’s career took him through a bunch of organizations thanks to trades and signings. After Oakland, he joined the Chicago Cubs and spent a few seasons there as a utility outfielder.

He moved on to the Cleveland Indians, then the Chicago White Sox. His ability to play all over the outfield made him a handy depth piece.

Later, he played for the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres. Most of those deals involved cash or minor leaguers, which kind of fits his journeyman role.

He wrapped up his career with San Diego in 1985, closing out a run that saw him play for seven different organizations in both leagues.

Career Retrospective, Legacy, and Life After Baseball

Miguel Diloné’s 12-year major league career made him one of the best speedsters of his era, with 267 stolen bases and a real impact on Dominican baseball. After retiring, he’s kept a low profile, and there’s not much out there about what he’s up to these days.

Overall Career Statistics and Retrosheet Analysis

Diloné finished with a .265 batting average, 6 home runs, and 129 RBI over 800 games from 1974 to 1985. He played the role of a contact hitter and base-stealing specialist—not a guy known for power.

His best statistical year came in 1980 with Cleveland, when he stole 61 bases and finished third in the American League. That season really cemented his reputation as a dangerous base runner.

Career Stolen Base Totals:

• 267 total stolen bases (some sources say 259)
• 61 stolen bases in 1980 (career high)
• Stayed a base-stealing threat for all 12 seasons

Retrosheet data backs up how valuable Diloné’s speed was. He found ways to create runs and help teams, which is probably why seven organizations gave him a shot. He suited up for Pittsburgh, Oakland, the Cubs, Cleveland, the White Sox, Montreal, and San Diego.

Impact on Dominican Baseball and Later Involvement

Diloné broke into the majors at 19 in 1974, becoming baseball’s youngest player that year. His success helped open doors for other Dominican players in MLB.

As a switch-hitting outfielder out of the Dominican Republic, he represented his country during a time when Latin American players were still fighting for respect in the big leagues. His career showed the kind of talent coming out of Dominican baseball.

He played a style that’s now a big part of Dominican baseball culture—lots of contact hitting, base running, and defense, not just swinging for the fences. Scouts started to look for those traits in Dominican prospects.

There isn’t much public info about Diloné’s involvement in developing baseball back home after he retired. Some players from his era have worked with youth programs, but it’s tough to find details about what Diloné’s done since hanging up his spikes.

Net Worth and Personal Life Post-Retirement

Nobody really knows Miguel Diloné’s current net worth or much about his personal life after baseball. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, players like him didn’t make anywhere near what today’s athletes pull in.

He played for 12 years, all before free agency sent salaries skyrocketing. Most guys from his era had to figure out other ways to make a living once they hung up their cleats.

A lot of them went into coaching or tried their hand at business. Some just headed home and started fresh.

Since retiring in 1985, Diloné has kept things pretty quiet. He hasn’t popped up in the media or taken on high-profile coaching gigs.

Honestly, he seems to prefer staying out of the spotlight. Because of that, there’s just not much out there about what he’s up to now or how he’s doing financially.

He might have moved back to the Dominican Republic, or maybe he’s living a low-key life somewhere in the U.S. Plenty of players from his generation chose privacy over fame once their careers ended.