50 Facts About Julio Urias

Early Life and Background

Julio Urías, known for his impressive pitching skills, has a fascinating backstory that shaped his journey to Major League Baseball.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on August 12, 1996, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, Julio César Urías Acosta entered the world with a future in baseball already in his stars.

2. Nickname: He’s affectionately called "El Culichi," a nod to his hometown of Culiacán.

3. Family Background: His parents, Carlos Urías and Juana Isabel Acosta, played a significant role in his early life, with his father being a major influence on his baseball career.

4. Early Baseball Career: Urías started playing baseball young and was part of the Mexico national youth team during his early teens.

Discovery and Signing with the Dodgers

Julio's talent didn't go unnoticed for long. His journey to the MLB began with a pivotal encounter.

5. Discovery by Dodgers: At 14, he met Dodgers scout Mike Brito, who also discovered Fernando Valenzuela. This meeting changed his life.

6. Signing with Dodgers: On his 16th birthday, August 12, 2012, the Dodgers signed him for $450,000, with most of the fee going to the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.

Minor League Journey

Before making his MLB debut, Julio honed his skills in the minor leagues, showcasing his potential.

7. Minor League Debut: Urías debuted on May 25, 2013, for the Great Lakes Loons, striking out six batters over three shutout innings.

8. Minor League Career: In 2013, he made 18 starts, finishing 2–0 with a 2.48 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 54.1 innings. He spent 2014 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

Pitching Style and Skills

Julio's unique pitching style and skills set him apart from other pitchers.

9. Pitching Style: His primary pitch is a fastball between 90 and 95 mph, peaking at 97. He also throws a low-80s changeup, curveball, and slider.

10. Pickoff Move: Known for his pickoff move, he led the major leagues in his rookie season with six pickoffs.

Major League Debut and Early Career

Julio's transition to the MLB was marked by impressive performances and significant milestones.

11. MLB Debut: He made his MLB debut on May 27, 2016, for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

12. Rookie Season: In his rookie season, he led the major leagues in pickoffs, showcasing his potential.

Challenges and Comebacks

Julio faced several challenges, including injuries, but his resilience helped him bounce back stronger.

13. Shoulder Surgery: He underwent major shoulder surgery but returned to become a key player for the Dodgers.

14. World Series Contribution: In the 2020 World Series, he recorded the final out, cementing his status as a valuable team member.

Achievements and Recognition

Julio's consistent performance has earned him several accolades and recognition in the MLB.

15. Wins and ERA: In 2021, he led the National League in wins, and in 2022, he led the league in ERA.

16. All-MLB Second Team: Named to the All-MLB Second Team in both 2021 and 2022, highlighting his contributions to the sport.

Personal Life and Challenges

Despite his professional success, Julio has faced personal challenges that have impacted his career.

17. Personal Life: He underwent three surgeries on his left eye during his youth to remove a benign mass, leaving his left eye nearly closed.

18. Faith and Resilience: A devout Roman Catholic, he often speaks about how his faith helps him cope with challenges.

19. Elective Surgery: On May 19, 2015, he had elective surgery to correct his eye condition.

Legal Issues and Controversies

Julio's career has also been marred by legal issues and controversies, affecting his public image and professional trajectory.

20. Domestic Violence Arrests: In May 2019, he was arrested for domestic battery and suspended 20 games by MLB. In September 2023, he was arrested again for felony domestic violence.

21. Administrative Leave: After the second arrest, MLB placed him on administrative leave pending investigation.

22. Investigation and Charges: The LA County DA decided not to file felony charges due to insufficient evidence, but the LA City Attorney charged him with five misdemeanors.

23. Plea Deal: On May 1, 2024, he pleaded "no contest" to one misdemeanor domestic battery charge, resulting in 36 months of probation, 30 days of community service, and a 52-week counseling course.

Impact on Career

The legal issues have significantly impacted Julio's career, creating uncertainty about his future in MLB.

24. Community Service and Counseling: As part of his sentence, he must complete community service and a domestic violence counseling course.

25. MLB Investigation: MLB's separate investigation could lead to suspension, making him the first player suspended twice under the domestic violence policy.

26. Career Impact: The incident has cast a shadow over his career, with his future in MLB uncertain.

27. Projected Contract: Before the incident, he was projected to secure a $200-plus million contract in free agency.

Reactions and Future Prospects

Reactions from fans, team officials, and his agent have varied, reflecting the complexity of his situation.

28. Agent's Statement: His agent, Scott Boras, stated that Urías is working out and intends to pitch again, taking steps to grow personally.

29. Team Interest: Despite the uncertainty, teams are still inquiring about him, indicating ongoing interest in his services.

30. Comparison to Trevor Bauer: His situation is often compared to Trevor Bauer, another former Dodgers pitcher suspended for violating the league's domestic violence policy.

31. Fan Reaction: The incident has led to a significant drop in public attention and fan interest in Urías.

32. Investigation Timeline: The California Highway Patrol spent three months investigating the incident before handing it over to the LA County DA.

33. DA's Decision: The LA County DA decided not to file felony charges, citing insufficient evidence.

34. City Attorney's Charges: On April 9, 2024, the LA City Attorney filed five misdemeanor charges against Urías.

35. Plea Hearing: On May 1, 2024, he pleaded "no contest" to one misdemeanor domestic battery charge.

36. Sentence Details: He was placed on 36 months of probation, ordered to complete 30 days of community labor, and required to attend a 52-week counseling course.

37. Restitution and Protective Order: He must pay restitution to the alleged victim and adhere to a protective order.

38. Domestic Violence Fund Fee: He is also required to pay a domestic violence fund fee.

39. Weapon Relinquishment: Urías must relinquish any weapons as part of his sentence.

40. Avoidance of Force or Violence: He is prohibited from using force or violence as part of his sentence.

41. Community Service: Urías was ordered to complete 30 days of community service.

42. Counseling Program: He must complete a 52-week domestic violence counseling course.

43. Probation Period: Urías was placed on 36 months of probation.

44. Team Officials' Reaction: Team officials have expressed concern and uncertainty about his future within the organization.

45. Agent's Statement on Personal Growth: Scott Boras mentioned that Urías is taking steps to grow personally.

46. Team Interest Despite Uncertainty: Teams are still inquiring about him, indicating ongoing interest in his services.

47. Comparison to Trevor Bauer's Situation: His situation is often compared to Trevor Bauer, another former Dodgers pitcher suspended for violating the league's domestic violence policy.

48. Fan Reaction and Public Interest: The incident has led to a significant drop in public attention and fan interest in Urías.

49. Investigation Timeline and Charges: The California Highway Patrol spent three months investigating the incident before handing it over to the LA County DA. The DA decided not to file felony charges, and the case was forwarded to the city attorney for misdemeanor filing considerations. On April 9, 2024, the city attorney filed five misdemeanor charges against Urías.

50. Future Uncertainty: Despite his past achievements and potential, Urías' future in MLB remains uncertain due to the recent incident and ongoing investigations.

Julio Urías: A Complex Legacy

Julio Urías, known as "El Culichi," has had a rollercoaster of a career. From his early days in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, to becoming a standout pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, his journey is nothing short of remarkable. He's faced significant challenges, including multiple surgeries on his left eye and a major shoulder surgery. Despite these hurdles, he played a crucial role in the Dodgers' 2020 World Series win and led the National League in wins and ERA in subsequent years.

However, his career has been marred by domestic violence incidents, leading to legal troubles and uncertainty about his future in MLB. While his talent on the mound is undeniable, these personal issues have cast a shadow over his achievements. Urías' story is a blend of resilience, talent, and controversy, making him a complex figure in the world of baseball.