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Biography and
Career Highlights
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Biography:
After toiling in
minor leagues for
parts of 11 seasons,
28-year-old backstop
burst onto ML scene
in 2006, becoming
just 3rd rookie
catcher in SF
history to hit at
least 10 HRs...belted
12 clouts, trailing
only Tom Haller (18
in 1962) and Bob
Schmidt (14 in 1958)
among freshman SF
catchers...rose from
obscurity, as 2006
marked his 1st time
on 40-man
roster...signed by
Giants prior to 2005
season, he has also
seen time in St.
Louis (1996-2000),
Milwaukee (2000-02)
and Florida (2004)
organizations...spent
2003 playing for St.
Paul in independent
Northern
League...married
(Patricia)...3 sons
(Jordan, Eliezer and
Omar).
A Giant in the
Community:
Participated in 2006
Fiesta Gigante,
festival at AT&T
Park that celebrates
San Francisco's
Latino
culture...also lent
time to Special
Olympics, working in
baseball skills
clinic...was also
participant in
baseball skills
clinic for Junior
Giants and Boys &
Girls Clubs in
Bayview/Hunters
Point.
2006
Career Highlights
Was recalled from
double-A Connecticut
June 2 when Mike
Matheny landed on
Disabled List with
concussion, and
proceeded to hit
.266 with 17 2Bs, 2
3Bs, 12 HRs, 39 RBI
and .465 slugging
pct. in 87
games...started 80
of 108 contests
after joining SF,
becoming club's
primary catcher as
Matheny was unable
to return...was at
his best in clutch,
batting .296
(21-for-71) with
RISP...hit at .314
clip (11-for-35)
with RISP and 2
outs...guided
pitching staff to
4.43 ERA (345er,
700.1ip) in 84
contests overall
behind plate...in
fact, caught Jason
Schmidt's
16-strikeout game
June 6 vs. Florida,
both of Matt Morris'
complete games and
Matt Cain's 1-hit,
8.0-inning effort
June 19 vs. LAA...belted
2-run HR in ML debut
June 3 at New York
(off Orlando
Hernandez),
6th-inning shot in
1st game of DH that
proved game-winner
in SF's 6-4
triumph...became 1st
Giant to homer in ML
debut since Randy
Kutcher did so June
19, 1986 at
SD...also became 1st
Giant to homer for
initial ML hit since
Damon Minor Sept.
10, 2000 vs. San
Diego, and 1st SF
player to make big
league debut as
starting catcher
since Marcus Jensen
April 14, 1996 vs.
Cubs...collected
pair of multi-HR
games, going deep
twice July 6 in
Colorado and July 27
at
Washington...played
for Caribes de
Oriente in
Venezuelan Winter
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2005 Career
Highlights
Played at 3 top rungs of Giants
organizational ladder during 1st year in system,
seeing action for single-A San Jose, double-A
Norwich and triple-A Fresno...clubbed
career-high 23 HRs to tie for 2nd most by SF
farmhands, while his .334 avg. (129-for-386) was
5th...in 106 overall contests, drove in
career-best 79 runs...was named to Cal League
In-Season All Star team after hitting .357 with
13 HRs and 45 RBI for eventual league champion
San Jose...made triple-A debut with 4-game Sept.
cameo for Fresno...played with Oriente in
Venezuela Winter League following campaign.
2004 Career
Highlights
Was selected to Florida State League All-Star
team during lone campaign in Marlins organization...
batted .281 with 112 hits, 18 HRs and 70 RBI in 105
games for single-A Jupiter.
2003 Career
Highlights
Signed minor league deal with Cubs over winter, but
was released March 29...signed with St. Paul of
independent Northern League in May...batted .300
with 15 2Bs, 9 HRs and 46 RBI in 68 games with
Saints.
2002 Career
Highlights
Logged final year in Milwaukee chain, splitting time
with single-A High Desert and double-A
Huntsville...was .349 hitter in 12 games in
California League, then batted .258 with 7 HRs and
38 RBI in Southern League.
2001 Career
Highlights
Set career high with 28 2Bs for single-A Beloit,
batting .277 with 14 HRs and 48 RBI in 106 games.
2000 Career
Highlights
Began year at single-A Peoria in St. Louis chain,
but was dealt to Milwaukee June 13 to complete
off-season trade that sent Fernando Vina to
Cardinals...spent remainder of campaign at
Beloit...combined for 26 2Bs, 10 HRs and 48 RBI in
109 contests.
1999
Career Highlights
Earned New York-Penn League All-Star honors after
batting .326 in 46 outings for single-A New Jersey.
1998
Career Highlights
Played in 46 games at New Jersey.
1997
Career Highlights
Was converted to catcher and batted .275 in 38
contests for rookie-level Johnson City.
1996
Career Highlights
Made professional debut as 3rd baseman for St.
Louis' affiliate in Dominican Summer League...batted
.325 in 24 games.
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