The legend of Juan Cespedes may have just been born, but it grows with every look at the box score from the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Angels' 9-1 victory on Saturday at the Los Angeles Angels DR Complex.
The 17-year-old Angels prospect set a record with eight successful stolen bases -- surpassing the previous high watermark of seven last accomplished by Johan De Los Santos for the DSL Pirates Black squad on Aug. 12, 2025 -- while recording only a single hit and a walk over four plate appearances in six innings. Cespedes' eight swipes are the most by a Minor League player in a single game since at least 2005. The Major League record was set by "Sliding Billy" Hamilton, who stole seven bases in a game on Aug. 31, 1894 for the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Cespedes led off the game with a walk before manufacturing his club's first run by successfully stealing second, third and then home. In the following inning, the infield/outfield prospect reached base on a throwing error by the shortstop and promptly swiped second. He was left there to end the frame.
In the fourth, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound speedster grounded into a fielder's choice and again wreaked havoc on the basepaths, stealing second and third. Two innings later, Cespedes lined the ball into left for his only knock of the game. Again, the 70-grade runner didn't waste time stealing second and third. He came in to score on an RBI single.
Cespedes was replaced in center field in the top of the seventh by Yelinson Betances.
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Through his first 56 pro plate appearances, Cespedes has reached base 30 times and has stolen 25 bases in 27 total attempts.
Signed by the Angels for a $300,000 bonus in the 2025-26 international class, Cespedes did not rank among MLB's Top 50 International prospects.