Background
Hechavarria was born in Santiago de Cuba to Diosmede and Mirta Hechavarria.
Hechavarria was born in Santiago de Cuba to Diosmede and Mirta Hechavarria.
He previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has an older brother, Alien. He participated in a Pan Am tournament in Mexico in 2006, and played shortstop for the Cuban Junior National team in 2008.
In 2009 he defected to Mexico on a boat with 11 others
Agents and other representatives of the Toronto Blue Jays watched him play in workouts in the Dominican Republic, and signed him after his visa paperwork went through in 2010. On April 13, 2010, Hechavarria signed a 4-year, $10 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He was assigned to extended spring training and first appeared in a game with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. On June 30, 2010, Hechevarria was promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League, where he recorded a.273 batting average and.303 on-base percentage.
On August 4, 2012, Hechavarria was called up to the Toronto Blue Jays active roster for the first time.
Hechavarria had a.312 batting average and had scored 78 runs in 102 games with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). He appeared in the Triple-A All-Star Game for the PCL.
Toronto Blue Jays
Hechavarria played third base in his debut due to Brett Lawrie"s oblique strain. Hechavarria finished his debut 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk.
Hechavarria recorded his first career hit on August 7, against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Hechavarria was returned to Las Vegas on August 25, when Yunel Escobar returned to the Jays from paternity leave. Hechevarria recalled on August 26 when José Bautista and David Cooper were added to the disabled list.
Hechavarria hit his first career home run, a solo shot off starter Philosophy Hughes, in a game against the New York Yankees on August 28, 2012. Miami Marlins
On November 19, 2012, Hechavarria was traded to the Miami Marlins along with Henderson Álvarez, Jeff Mathis, Yunel Escobar, Jake Marisnick, Anthony DeSclafani, and Justin Nicolino, in exchange for Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, José Reyes, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio.
On January 29, 2013, Hechavarria was named number 82 on MLB"s Top Prospects list.
Hechavarria was the Marlins" starting shortstop for the first 14 games of the 2013 season until he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore throwing arm. He was activated from the disabled list on May 2. On May 5, 2013, Hechavarria hit a bases-loaded triple and a grand slam against Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies.