LaMonte Wade Jr. Bio
LaMonte Aaron Wade Jr., nicknamed “Late Night LaMonte,” is an American professional baseball first baseman who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels. Known for his plate discipline and late-inning hitting, Wade built his reputation as a steady on-base presence across multiple organizations.
A native of Maryland, Wade played college baseball for the Maryland Terrapins before being selected by the Twins in the 2015 MLB draft. He made his major league debut in 2019 and went on to spend his most productive seasons with the Giants, where he became a fan favorite in San Francisco.
Early Life and Background
LaMonte Aaron Wade Jr. was born on January 1, 1994, in Owings Mills, Maryland. He grew up in the Baltimore area alongside his brother, Jamal, who also played baseball for the Terrapins. Their shared athletic background helped shape Wade’s competitive approach from a young age.
Wade attended St. Paul’s School in Brooklandville, Maryland, where he played both baseball and basketball. On the diamond, he played outfield and pitched, earning recognition across multiple seasons. He was named to the All-Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association team in 2010, 2011, and 2012, and received preseason All-State honors in 2011 and 2012 from the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches. He was also selected to the 2012 Preseason Under Armour All-American Team and ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Maryland’s class of 2012 by Dynamic Baseball.
Path to Baseball
After high school, Wade attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played college baseball for the Maryland Terrapins. He began his freshman year as a first baseman before transitioning to center field, showing the versatility that would later define his professional career. In 2015, he batted .335/.453/.468, with his on-base percentage ranking second in the Big Ten Conference.
Across three seasons with the Terrapins, Wade posted a .394 on-base percentage and walked more times than he struck out, a rare combination that hinted at his future major league profile. During the summer of 2014, he played collegiate baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier amateur circuits in the country. His strong plate discipline and athleticism soon caught the attention of major league scouts.
LaMonte Wade Jr. Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
The Minnesota Twins selected Wade in the ninth round, with the 260th overall pick, of the 2015 MLB draft, and he signed for a $163,800 bonus. He opened his professional career with the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-level Appalachian League, where he batted .312/.428/.506 with a .934 OPS, 46 walks, 9 home runs, and 44 RBI, earning Appalachian League post-season All-Star honors. A late-season promotion to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single-A Midwest League followed.
In 2016, Wade started the year at Cedar Rapids and appeared in the Midwest League All-Star Game before moving up to the Fort Myers Miracle of the High-A Florida State League. He finished the season batting .293/.402/.438 with eight home runs and 51 RBI. After spending 2017 and most of 2018 with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, where he earned Southern League mid-season All-Star recognition, he was promoted to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in June 2018 and added to the Twins’ 40-man roster that offseason.
Minnesota Twins Debut (2019–2020)
Wade opened the 2019 season back at Rochester before the Twins promoted him to the major leagues on June 27, 2019. He made his MLB debut on June 28 against the Chicago White Sox, playing primarily center field. In his first taste of the majors, Wade batted .196/.348/.375 with two home runs and five RBI in 56 at-bats.
The shortened 2020 campaign gave Wade limited opportunities, as he batted .231/.318/.308 with one RBI in 39 at-bats for the Twins. Despite the small sample size, his strong plate discipline continued to translate to the highest level.
San Francisco Giants Breakthrough (2021–2024)
On February 4, 2021, the Twins traded Wade to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitcher Shaun Anderson. The move proved transformative. In his first season with San Francisco, Wade batted .253/.326/.482 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI in 336 at-bats, becoming a clutch performer in late-game situations. Batting in spots labeled “late and close,” he hit .362/.444/.511, and in the ninth inning he produced at a remarkable .565/.583/.826 clip. His late-inning heroics earned him the nicknames “Late Night LaMonte” and “Late Inning LaMonte” from players and fans alike.
That 2021 season also brought Wade the Willie Mac Award, recognizing him as the Giants’ most inspirational player. On June 2, 2023, he recorded the 100th splash hit at Oracle Park, a memorable milestone off Dean Kremer of the Baltimore Orioles. After agreeing to a one-year, $1.375 million contract in January 2023, Wade hit .256/.373/.417 with 17 home runs and 45 RBI across 135 appearances. In 2024, he signed for $3.5 million but missed time with a strained hamstring, finishing with a .260/.380/.381 line and 34 RBI in 117 games.
Los Angeles Angels (2025)
Wade struggled in the early part of the 2025 season with San Francisco, batting .167/.275/.271 with one home run and 15 RBI across 50 appearances. On June 4, 2025, the Giants designated him for assignment, and on June 8 he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. In 30 appearances for Los Angeles, Wade produced .169/.260/.215 with one home run, three RBI, and one stolen base. The Angels released him on August 2, 2025, after which he became a free agent.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wade’s most memorable moments came in San Francisco. His 2021 Willie Mac Award recognized his inspirational play, while his June 2023 splash hit No. 100 at Oracle Park cemented his place in franchise history. His career-best 18 home runs that same season highlighted his power potential when healthy.
LaMonte Wade Jr. Career Wins
Wade’s career is defined more by consistency and on-base ability than by sheer win totals, but his 2021 campaign with the Giants stands as his most complete major league season. That year, his 18 home runs, 56 RBI, and elite late-inning production made him a cornerstone of the Giants’ lineup.
Other Wins & Performances
Across his time in the minors and majors, Wade collected multiple All-Star nods, including Appalachian League post-season All-Star, Midwest League All-Star, Southern League mid-season All-Star, and an MILB.com organization All-Star selection. His career walk rate and on-base percentage consistently outpaced league averages at every level.
LaMonte Wade Jr. Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Wade grew up in Owings Mills, Maryland, with his brother Jamal, who also played baseball for the Maryland Terrapins. The siblings’ shared path through the University of Maryland program helped shape LaMonte’s early development as a player.
Personal Life
Public details about Wade’s personal life beyond his family and hometown remain limited. He is widely recognized by his popular nickname “Late Night LaMonte,” a nod to his late-inning hitting heroics during his time with the Giants.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be one of the most challenging of Wade’s career. After opening the year with San Francisco and struggling to a .167/.275/.271 line in 50 appearances, he was designated for assignment on June 4 and quickly traded to the Los Angeles Angels four days later. His struggles continued in Anaheim, where he posted a .169/.260/.215 slash line with one home run and three RBI across 30 games.
Following his release by the Angels on August 2, 2025, Wade became a free agent. According to Baseball Reference, he finished the year tied with Michael Toglia for the fewest batting wins above replacement in 2025 at -1.7, a stark contrast to his breakthrough 2021 season. Heading forward, Wade will look to rebound and find a new opportunity as a free agent.