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'{{Infobox baseball biography |name = Tommy La Stella |image = Tommy La Stella on July 16, 2016.jpg |image_size = 220 |caption = La Stella with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 |team = Chicago Cubs |number = 2 |position = [[Infielder]] |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|1|31}} |birth_place = [[Westwood, New Jersey]] |bats = Left |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = May 28 |debutyear = 2014 |debutteam = Atlanta Braves |statyear = 2018 season |statleague = MLB |stat1label = [[Batting average]] |stat1value = .264 |stat2label = [[Home run]]s |stat2value = 10 |stat3label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]] |stat3value = 94 |teams = * [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|2014}}) * [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2015}}–present) |awards = * [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|2016}}) }} '''Thomas Fredrickson La Stella''' (born January 31, 1989) is an American [[second baseman]] for the [[Chicago Cubs]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the [[Atlanta Braves]] in 2014, and was traded to the Cubs before the 2015 season. ==Early life and career== Born in [[Westwood, New Jersey]], to Phil and Jane La Stella on January 31, 1989, Tommy and his two siblings grew up in nearby [[Closter, New Jersey|Closter]]. He is of Italian descent. <ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=David|title=New Jersey native La Stella is a big story back home|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/new-jersey-native-la-stella-is-a-big-story-back-ho/ngbFD/|accessdate=April 8, 2016|work=Atlanta Journal Constitution|date=July 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=David|title=La Stella’s time is here: Braves bring 2B prospect to majors|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-promoted-2b-prospect-la-stella-promoted-fro/nf8ZN/|accessdate=April 8, 2016|work=Atlanta Journal Constitution|date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> La Stella attended [[Saint Joseph Regional High School]] in [[Montvale, New Jersey]]. He played [[college baseball]] for both the [[St. John's Red Storm]] and [[Coastal Carolina Chanticleers]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bowman|first=Mark|title=Perseverance paying off for prospect La Stella|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/atl/atlanta-braves-second-baseman-tommy-la-stella-progressing-past-prospect-label?ymd=20140318&content_id=69560430&vkey=news_atl|publisher=MLB.com|accessdate=March 19, 2014|date=March 18, 2014}}</ref> La Stella appeared in 125 games (all starts) for the Chanticleers in 2010/2011 and hit .388 with 28 home runs and 136 RBI. He committed only 12 errors in 509 chances for Coastal Carolina, resulting in a .976 fielding percentage. ==Professional career== ===Atlanta Braves=== The Braves selected La Stella in the eighth round of the [[2011 MLB Draft]], and he spent the rest of the season with the [[Rome Braves]] of the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[South Atlantic League]]. In 2012, he played for the [[Lynchburg Hillcats]] of the [[Class A-Advanced]] [[Carolina League]]. In 2013, he played for the [[Mississippi Braves]] of the [[Class AA]] [[Southern League (baseball)|Southern League]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pelzman|first1=J. P.|title=MLB: Rapid rise for Tommy La Stella|url=http://www.northjersey.com/sports/baseball/rapid-rise-for-la-stella-1.1047736?page=all|accessdate=April 9, 2016|work=The Record|date=July 8, 2014}}</ref> With the Mississippi Braves, La Stella had a .343 batting average in 81 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/7/30/256031/Could-La-Stella-Help-Braves-In-September.aspx |title=Could La Stella Help Braves In September? - 07/30/2013 |publisher=Chattanoogan.com |date=July 30, 2013 |accessdate=November 22, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Tommy La Stella on July 6, 2014.jpg|260px|left|thumb|La Stella batting for the [[2014 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves in 2014]]]] The Braves invited La Stella to [[spring training]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/66537690|title=Braves announce Non-Roster Invitees |publisher=MLB.com |date=January 13, 2014 |accessdate=March 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/68241990|title=La Stella looking to show Braves he's ready |publisher=MLB.com|date=February 23, 2014 |last=Bowman |first=Mark |accessdate=March 12, 2014}}</ref> He began the 2014 season with the [[Gwinnett Braves]] of the [[Class AAA]] [[International League]], and debuted at the major league level on May 28, hitting two singles in his first game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Petrella|first=Steven|title=Making big league debut, La Stella notches two hits|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/77183648|publisher=MLB.com|accessdate=May 29, 2014|date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> La Stella hit his first major league home run on August 8, 2014, against [[Stephen Strasburg]] of the [[Washington Nationals]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=La Stella belts first MLB homer, gets silent treatment|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/88734484|accessdate=August 9, 2014|publisher=MLB.com|date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> He finished the year with a .251 batting average in 93 games.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gonzales|first1=Mark|title=Cubs acquire infielder Tommy La Stella from Atlanta|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-cubs-acquire-tommy-la-stella-20141116-story.html|accessdate=April 8, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 16, 2014}}</ref> ===Chicago Cubs=== On November 16, 2014, the Braves traded La Stella, along with an international signing bonus slot, to the [[Chicago Cubs]] for [[Arodys Vizcaíno]] and three international signing bonus slots.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Braves reacquire Vizcaino, add to international budget|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/101634576/braves-reacquire-arodys-vizcaino-add-to-international-budget|accessdate=November 17, 2014|publisher=MLB.com|date=November 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cubs acquire INF La Stella from Braves|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11887711|accessdate=November 17, 2014|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN.com|date=November 16, 2014}}</ref> La Stella made the Cubs' [[Opening Day]] roster, but only played in two games before straining his right oblique on April 10, 2015. While rehabilitating at the minor league level with the [[Tennessee Smokies]], La Stella suffered another oblique strain.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Birch|first1=Tommy|title=Tommy La Stella's difficult year brings him to Iowa|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2015/08/15/tommy-la-stella-iowa-cubs-pacific-coast-league/31767217/|accessdate=August 29, 2015|work=Des Moines Register|date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> He came off the disabled list in August, and was sent to the [[Iowa Cubs]] of the Class AAA [[Pacific Coast League]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rogers|first1=Jesse|title=Cubs' David Ross acitvated; Matt Szczur, Tommy La Stella optioned to Triple-A|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/33120/cubs-david-ross-acitvated-matt-szczur-tommy-la-stella-optioned-to-triple-a|accessdate=August 29, 2015|publisher=ESPN.com|date=August 11, 2015}}</ref> On August 24 he was recalled from Iowa and rejoined the major league club.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Garno|first1=Greg|title=Cubs place Motte, Soler on disabled list|url=http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/145056462|accessdate=April 8, 2016|publisher=MLB.com|date=August 24, 2015}}</ref> In limited time with Chicago, La Stella was used mainly as a pinch hitter, a role in which he excelled.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rogers|first1=Jesse|title=Tommy La Stella is the man in a pinch for Chicago Cubs|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36739/tommy-la-stella-is-the-man-in-a-pinch-for-the-chicago-cubs|accessdate=April 8, 2016|publisher=ESPN.com|date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> To increase his versatility, La Stella began playing third base during the regular season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Muskat|first1=Carrie|title=La Stella adjusting to move to third base|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/110514248/tommy-la-stella-adjusting-to-move-to-third-base-for-chicago-cubs|accessdate=April 8, 2016|publisher=MLB.com|date=February 26, 2016}}</ref> In 33 games,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gonzales|first1=Mark|title=Cubs could opt for lineup of lefties vs. Pirates: report|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-tommy-la-stella-starting-20151006-story.html|accessdate=April 8, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=October 6, 2015}}</ref> La Stella hit .269,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gonzales|first1=Mark|title=Cubs position-by-position analysis: Third base|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-safe-at-third-base-20151110-story.html|accessdate=April 8, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=November 10, 2015}}</ref> and started at third base during the [[2015 National League Wild Card Game|National League Wild Card Game]] against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gonzales|first1=Mark|title=Tommy La Stella knows what's at stake in Cubs camp|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-tommy-la-stella-battles-20160222-story.html|accessdate=April 8, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 22, 2016}}</ref> After batting .295 for the Cubs in 2016, the Cubs optioned La Stella to Iowa on July 29, but he did not immediately report.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Birch|first1=Tommy|title=Tommy La Stella given extra time to report to minors|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2016/08/03/tommy-la-stella-given-extra-time-report-minors/88042050/|accessdate=August 20, 2016|work=[[The Des Moines Register]]|date=August 3, 2016}}</ref> The Cubs put La Stella on the temporarily inactive list. He agreed to report to Tennessee on August 17.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gonzales|first=Mark|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-tommy-la-stella-to-report-to-tennessee-20160817-story.html|title=Joe Maddon: Tommy La Stella to report to Double-A Tennessee|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 17, 2016|accessdate=August 20, 2016}}</ref> Upon being recalled on August 31, La Stella stated that his refusal to report to the minors stemmed mainly from a lack of enjoyment for the game at the time of his demotion.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rogers|first1=Jesse|title=Joe Maddon on Tommy La Stella return: 'I was witnessing a team at its best'|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17434048/chicago-cubs-recall-infielder-tommy-la-stella-triple-iowa|accessdate=September 1, 2016|publisher=ESPN.com|date=August 31, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rogers|first1=Jesse|title=Understanding Tommy La Stella won't be easy, but moving on should be|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/41010/trying-to-understand-tommy-la-stella-wont-be-easy-but-moving-on-should-be|accessdate=September 1, 2016|publisher=ESPN.com|date=August 31, 2016}}</ref> In 74 games of the 2016 season, La Stella finished by batting .270 with two home runs and 11 RBI. The Cubs would eventually win the World Series, effectively ending their 108-year long drought. La Stella had one at bat in the postseason and won his first world championship.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|last2=Muskat|first2=Carrie|title=Chicago Cubs win 2016 World Series|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/207938228/chicago-cubs-win-2016-world-series/|publisher=MLB|accessdate=November 3, 2016}}</ref> La Stella was on the roster for the [[2016 National League Division Series]], but was replaced by left-handed pitcher [[Rob Zastryzny]] for the [[2016 National League Championship Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17800138/chicago-cubs-add-rookie-nlcs-roster-los-angeles-dodgers-carrying-12-pitchers?ex_cid=espnapi_public|title=Dodgers add Alex Wood, Enrique Hernandez to NLCS roster; Cubs add rookie lefty|accessdate=November 8, 2016|date=October 16, 2016|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Padilla, Doug}}</ref> [[Kyle Schwarber]] was given the final spot on the roster for the [[2016 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17882816/chicago-cubs-place-kyle-schwarber-world-series-roster|title=Cubs place Kyle Schwarber on World Series roster|accessdate=November 8, 2016|date=October 25, 2016|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Rogers, Jesse}}</ref> In 2017, La Stella appeared in 73 games for the Cubs. He finished the year batting .288 with 22 RBI and a career high of five home runs. On July 20, 2018, La Stella pitched an inning and a third as a relief pitcher during a lopsided victory by the St. Louis Cardinals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Muskat |first1=Carrie |title=Cubs tie record using 3 position players to pitch |url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-use-3-position-players-to-pitch-vs-cards/c-286546674 |accessdate=September 15, 2018 |publisher=MLB.com |date=July 20, 2018}}</ref> On August 31, his 21st pinch-hit of the season, a single in the seventh inning in a game against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], broke the Cub record for pinch hits in a season previously shared by [[Thad Bosley]] and [[Dave Clark (baseball)|Dave Clark]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cabrera carries Phils past Cubs with 10th-inning homer |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/baseball-mlb-phi-chc-recap/cabrera-carries-phils-past-cubs-with-10th-inning-homer-idUSMTZEE91CW84UG |accessdate=September 15, 2018 |agency=Reuters |date=August 31, 2018}}</ref> The previous evening, La Stella had tied the record with a 2 run go-ahead home run against the [[Atlanta Braves]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gonzales |first1=Mark |title=Tommy La Stella's 2-run pinch-hit homer gives Cubs 5-4 win over Braves |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-braves-20180830-story.html |accessdate=September 15, 2018 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=August 30, 2018}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Tommy La Stella}} {{Baseballstats|mlb=600303|espn=32217|br=l/lasteto01|fangraphs=12371|cube=158467|brm=lastel000tho}} {{Chicago Cubs roster navbox}} {{DEFAULTSORT:La Stella, Tommy}} [[Category:1989 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American sportspeople of Italian descent]] [[Category:Atlanta Braves players]] [[Category:Baseball players from New Jersey]] [[Category:Chicago Cubs players]] [[Category:Coastal Carolina Chanticleers baseball players]] [[Category:Gulf Coast Braves players]] [[Category:Iowa Cubs players]] [[Category:Lynchburg Hillcats players]] [[Category:Major League Baseball second basemen]] [[Category:Mississippi Braves players]] [[Category:People from Closter, New Jersey]] [[Category:People from Westwood, New Jersey]] [[Category:Rome Braves players]] [[Category:Saint Joseph Regional High School alumni]] [[Category:Scottsdale Scorpions players]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Bergen County, New Jersey]] [[Category:St. John's Red Storm baseball players]] [[Category:Tennessee Smokies players]]'