Colorado Rockies in 2018|alt=Ryan Vilade following through with a swing with the Asheville Tourists in 2018 The
Colorado Rockies selected Vilade in the second round, with the 48th overall selection, of the
2017 Major League Baseball draft. He signed for $1.4 million. After signing, he made his professional debut with the
Grand Junction Rockies of the Rookie-level
Pioneer League. He hit a
home run in his first at-bat and was named to the All-Star game. He spent the season with Grand Junction,
slashing .308/.438/.496 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 33 games. He spent 2018 with the
Asheville Tourists of the
Single-A South Atlantic League where he batted .274 with five home runs, 44 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 124 games. Vilade spent 2019 with the
Lancaster JetHawks of the
High-A California League, slashing .303/.367/.466 with 12 home runs, 71 RBI, and 24 stolen bases. He led the minor leagues with 13 sacrifice flies. Prior to the 2020 season, which was eventually cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, Vilade began periodically playing in the outfield in addition to shortstop and third base. To begin the 2021 season, Vilade was assigned to the
Albuquerque Isotopes of the
Triple-A West. Defensively, he moved to left field and right field. In June, Vilade was selected to play in the
All-Star Futures Game at
Coors Field. Over 108 games with the Isotopes, Vilade slashed .286/.339/.420 with seven home runs, 43 RBI, 27 doubles, and 12 stolen bases. in 2022 On September 18, 2021, Colorado selected Vilade's contract and promoted him to the active roster to make his MLB debut that day versus the
Washington Nationals at
Nationals Park. He started in left field and went hitless over four at-bats. He was selected to play in the
Arizona Fall League for the
Salt River Rafters after the season where he was named to the Fall Stars Game. Vilade opened the 2022 season in the minor leagues with the Isotopes.
Pittsburgh Pirates On November 9, 2022, the
Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Vilade off of waivers. Vilade was optioned to the Triple-A
Indianapolis Indians to begin the 2023 season. He was
designated for assignment on March 30, 2023. On April 4, Vilade cleared waivers and was sent outright to Indianapolis. He played in 122 games for Indianapolis, slashing .271/.370/.382 with 6 home runs, 56 RBI, and 7 stolen bases. Vilade elected free agency following the season on November 6.
Detroit Tigers On November 21, 2023, Vilade signed a minor league contract with the
Detroit Tigers. After starting the season at Triple-A
Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers selected Valade's contract on May 7, 2024, where he made his first major league start since 2021. He recorded his first two hits and first three RBI in that game. Vilade was optioned back to the Mud Hens on May 13. Vilade was called up for a second time on July 12. In 17 games for the Tigers, he slashed .178/.208/.244 with one home run and five RBI. On November 4, Vilade was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Toledo. He elected free agency the same day.
St. Louis Cardinals On November 28, 2024, Vilade signed a minor league contract with the
St. Louis Cardinals. In 48 games for the Triple-A
Memphis Redbirds, he slashed .280/.375/.476 with five home runs, 31 RBI, and five stolen bases. On May 31, 2025, the Cardinals selected Vilade's contract, adding him to their active roster. On June 12, he was designated for assignment by the Cardinals after batting 1-for-13 with two walks in seven games.
Cincinnati Reds On June 14, 2025, Vilade was claimed off waivers by the
Cincinnati Reds and optioned to the Triple-A
Louisville Bats. He played his first and only game for the Reds on June 27, coming in as a defensive replacement and, in the ninth inning, fielding the first hit by the
San Diego Padres.
Tampa Bay Rays On November 3, 2025, Vilade was traded to the
Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. ==References==