Isiah Kiner-Falefa is an American professional baseball shortstop for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). His previous MLB team is the Texas Rangers.
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Isiah attended Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the fourth round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.
How do you pronounce Kiner-Falefa?
Why is Kiner-Falefa hyphenated?
Isiah is the second cousin twice removed of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner on his mother’s side.
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Isiah uses his hyphenated last name because his parents are together but never married.
Isiah explained, “In Hawaii, if you’re not married for seven years, the children use both names with a hyphen.”
Isiah made his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 10, 2018 and on April 14, against the Houston Astros, he hit his first career home run.
Isiah appeared in 111 games during his rookie season of 2018, hitting .261/.325/.357/.682 with 4 home runs and 34 RBI, while playing games at catcher, third base, shortstop, and second base.
Isiah opened the 2019 season with Rangers in a catching tandem with veteran Jeff Mathis.
He was placed on the injured list on June 7, and recalled on August 2 in the role of utility infielder and third string catcher and finished 2019 hitting .238/.299/.322 with one home run and 21 RBI.
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