Guillermo Quiróz

Guillermo Antonio Quiroz (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡiˈʝeɾmo kiˈɾos]; born November 29, 1981) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants.

Guillermo Quiróz
Quiroz with the San Francisco Giants
Catcher/Coach
Born: (1981-11-29) November 29, 1981
Maracaibo, Venezuela
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 2004, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
September 13, 2014, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average.199
Home runs3
Runs batted in34
Teams

Amateur career

Quiróz was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela on November 29, 1981. He played Little League Baseball for Cocquivacoa, and was teammates with Yusmeiro Petit. In 1994, Cocquivacoa won Venezuela's first Little League World Series title.[1] Then aged 10, Quiróz started every game that season as a catcher.[2] Two year later, Quiróz won the Senior League World Series.[3]

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

Quiróz was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as a non-drafted free agent in 1998, before his 17th birthday, with a $1 million signing bonus.[4] He progressed through Toronto's system as the team's number-one catching prospect. In addition, Baseball America rated him as the Blue Jays' third best prospect in their 2004 pre-season rankings, and the 35th best prospect in all of baseball.[5][6]

Defensively, Quiróz has good skills. In 2003, he threw out 45% of base stealers, and was the starting catcher for the World Team in the 2003 All-Star Futures Game.[7]

He missed the end of the 2003 season with a collapsed lung.[8] The broken hand and torn arm muscle he suffered in 2004 hurt his chances of taking over as the Blue Jays' starting catcher in 2005.[9] Gregg Zaun and Greg Myers were re-signed to give Quiróz more time in the minors.[10] However, Quiróz was set further back that season, due to shoulder strain and another collapsed lung.[9]

In 2006, the Blue Jays signed catcher Jason Phillips initially as the backup to Gregg Zaun. They later signed Bengie Molina to be their new starter. This placed three catchers ahead of Quiróz on the Blue Jays' depth chart.[11][12]

Seattle Mariners

On March 31, 2006, Quiróz was put on waivers by the Blue Jays, but was picked up by the Seattle Mariners on the same day.[13] Quiróz started the seventh game of the 2006 season for the Mariners, but was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma Rainers eight days later.[14] Quiróz spent the rest of the season between Triple-A Tacoma and the Double-A San Antonio Missions.

Texas Rangers

Quiróz was signed by the Texas Rangers on December 28, 2006.[15] He spent most of the 2007 season with the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks until a September call-up to the majors. At the end of the 2007 season, the Rangers outrighted Quiróz to the minors, but he refused the assignment and became a free agent.[16][17]

Quiróz playing for the Baltimore Orioles in 2008

Baltimore Orioles

On December 3, 2007, Quiróz signed a one-year major league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.[18] He spent the 2008 season as the backup to catcher Ramón Hernández.[19][20] He was invited to spring training and expected to compete for the backup catcher position at the start of the 2009 season,[21][22] but was released on March 21.[23]

Second stint with Mariners

In April 2009 Quiróz signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners.[24] On May 14, 2009, he was assigned to the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.[25] On May 26, 2009, he was called up from West Tenn to the Seattle Mariners.[26] On June 19, 2009, Quiróz was designated for assignment.[27] He refused an assignment to the Rainers at the end of the season and became a free agent on November 3, 2010.[28]

San Diego Padres

On January 5, 2011, Quiróz signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres.[29] He was invited to spring training to be the backup to Nick Hundley,[30] but did not win the job and spent the season playing for the Tucson Padres.

Third Stint with Mariners

Quiróz signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on December 13, 2011.[31][32] He received an invitation to spring training, but did not play for the Mariners in 2012. Instead he played for their Triple-A affiliate Tacoma Rainiers.

Boston Red Sox

On September 4, 2012, the Mariners traded Quiróz to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations.[33][34] Quiróz was designated for assignment on October 4.[35] According to the International League transactions page, Quiróz was outrighted to the Pawtucket Red Sox on October 10, but chose to become a free agent.

San Francisco Giants

He signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training with the San Francisco Giants in November 2012.[36] On May 4, 2013 Quiróz hit his first career walk-off home run, a tenth inning, pinch-hit homer against former battery mate Brandon League of the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading the Giants to a 10-9 victory.[37]

On November 15, 2013 Quiróz signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[38] In November 2014 Quiróz was outrighted to Triple A.[39] He refused the assignment and became a free agent on November 3,[40] then subsequently re-signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[41]

Cleveland Indians

On February 12, 2016, Quiróz signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians with an invitation to spring training.[42][43] He signed another minor league contract with the Indians organization in November 2016.[44] He was released on March 29, 2017.

Coaching Career

Quiróz was named a coach for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights for the 2019 season.

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See also

References
  1. Pavlovic, Alex (March 12, 2013). "Two San Francisco Giants recall playing for Little League title". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved February 14, 2016 – via Monterey Herald.
  2. Pavlovic, Alex (March 11, 2013). "San Francisco Giants' roster candidates were teammates once before". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  3. Comak, Amanda (August 28, 2008). "Quiroz reminisces about winning LLWS". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  4. Chass, Murray (June 27, 1999). "Desperate for Players, Scouts Search the World for Nuggets of Talent". New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  5. Eddy, Matt (December 12, 2004). "2005 Toronto Blue Jays Top 10 Prospects With Scouting Reports". Baseball America. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  6. "All-Time Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. 2005. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  7. Pavlovic, Alex (March 11, 2013). "In clubhouse full of rings, two Giants fondly remember teaming up for Little League title". San Jose Mercury News.
  8. Millson, Larry (August 27, 2005). "Toronto gives healthy Quiroz a shot". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  9. "O's give Quiroz [...]". Frederick News Post. March 16, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  10. "Former Cubs infielder inks one-year deal". ESPN.com. January 6, 2005. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  11. Batian, Jordan (March 31, 2006). "Phillips to Serve as Backup Catcher". MILB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  12. Finnigan, Bob (April 1, 2006). "M's Notes: Seattle hauls in Quiroz". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  13. "Mariners claim catcher Guillermo Quiroz from Toronto". MLB.com. March 31, 2006. Archived from the original on March 31, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  14. Beene, Darrin (June 16, 2008). "The Bavasi years". The News Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  15. "Texas signs catcher Guillermo Quiroz to Major League contract". MLB.com. December 27, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  16. "Thursday's sports transactions". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Associated Press. October 19, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  17. "Rangers outright Quiroz". The Victoria Advocate. October 19, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  18. "Orioles sign catcher Quiroz". MLB.com. December 3, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  19. Kubatko, Roch (March 27, 2008). "Quiroz secures role as backup catcher". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  20. Carig, Marc (March 26, 2008). "Quiroz to Back Up Hernández, Be Loewen's Battery Mate". Washington Post. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  21. "Orioles invite 23 to spring training". MILB.com. January 16, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  22. Fordin, Spencer (January 22, 2009). "Zaun onboard to mentor Wieters". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  23. "Transactions". San Diego Union Tribune. March 21, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  24. Eddy, Matt (April 27, 2009). "Minor League Transactions". Baseball America. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  25. Divish, Ryan (May 14, 2009). "Adam Moore called up to Triple A Tacoma; Clement to DH". The News Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  26. Baker, Geoff (May 26, 2009). "Guillermo Quiroz gets the call from AA, Kenji Johjima to DL for Mariners". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  27. Baker, Geoff (June 19, 2009). "Mariners designate Guillermo Quiroz, activate Rob Johnson, claim infielder Josh Wilson off waivers". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  28. Baker, Geoff (November 3, 2010). "Mariners decline options on Erik Bedard, Jose Lopez, Russell Branyan". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  29. Brock, Corey (January 5, 2011). "Padres add two on Minor League deals". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  30. Center, Bill (May 20, 2011). "Reunions for catchers Johnson and Phillips". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  31. "Mariners sign 11 to minor-league deals with invites to spring training". Seattle Times. December 13, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  32. Johns, Greg (December 13, 2011). "Mariners sign pair to Minor League deals". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  33. "Mariners trade Minor League catcher Guillermo Quiroz to Red Sox" (Press release). Seattle Mariners. September 4, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  34. MacPherson, Brian (September 4, 2012). "Red Sox acquire minor-league catcher from Seattle". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  35. "Red Sox acquire De La Rosa, Sands to complete trade with LA". October 4, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  36. Eddy, Matt (November 29, 2012). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 20-26". Baseball America. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  37. "Guillermo Quiroz's HR in 10th gives Giants 2nd straight walk-off win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 4, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  38. Eddy, Matt (November 18, 2013). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 7-13". Baseball America. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  39. Eddy, Matt (November 10, 2014). "Minor League Transactions: Oct. 31-Nov. 6". Baseball America. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  40. "Minor League Free Agents 2014". Baseball America. November 7, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  41. Eddy, Matt (November 24, 2014). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 14-20". Baseball America. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  42. "Tommy Hunter agrees to 1-year contract with Indians". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  43. Bastian, Jordan (February 12, 2016). "Catcher Quiroz inks Minors deal with Indians". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  44. Eddy, Matt (November 21, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Nov 12-18". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
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