Guillermo Quiróz

Guillermo Quiróz
Quiroz with the San Francisco Giants
Catcher/Coach
Born: (1981-11-29) November 29, 1981 (age 42)
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

Guillermo Antonio Quiroz (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡiˈʝeɾmo kiˈɾos]; born November 29, 1981) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher and current manager of the Winston-Salem Dash, the High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. 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.

Amateur career

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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

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Toronto Blue Jays

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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

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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 Rainiers eight days later.[14] Quiróz spent the rest of the season between Triple-A Tacoma and the Double-A San Antonio Missions.

Texas Rangers

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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

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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

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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 was later re-signed to a minor league deal in February 2010.[28] Quiróz refused an assignment to the Rainiers at the end of the season and became a free agent on November 3, 2010.[29]

San Diego Padres

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On January 5, 2011, Quiróz signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres.[30] He was invited to spring training to be the backup to Nick Hundley,[31] but did not win the job and spent the season playing for the Tucson Padres.

Seattle Mariners (third stint)

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On December 14, 2011, Quiróz signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[32][33] 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

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On September 4, 2012, the Mariners traded Quiróz to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations.[34][35] Quiróz was designated for assignment on October 4.[36] 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.[37]

San Francisco Giants

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On November 20, 2012, He signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training with the San Francisco Giants.[38] 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.[39] He was designated for assignment on August 8. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on August 11.

On November 15, 2013, Quiróz signed a minor league contract to return to the Giants.[40] In November 2014, Quiróz was outrighted to Triple A.[41] He refused the assignment and became a free agent on November 3,[42] and then was re-signed to another minor league contract with the Giants.[43] He was released on July 15, 2015.

Cleveland Indians

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On February 12, 2016, Quiróz signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians that included an invitation to spring training.[44][45] In 75 games for the Triple–A Columbus Clippers, he batted .264/.314/.447 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. Quiróz elected free agency following the season on November 7.[46]

Quiróz re–signed with Cleveland on another minor league contract on November 21, 2016.[47] He was released on March 31, 2017.[48]

Coaching career

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Quiróz was named a coach for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights for the 2019 season.[49] In January 2020, he was named manager of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. [50]

Quiróz was named manager of the High-A affiliate, Winston-Salem Dash, for the 2023 season.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pavlovic, Alex (March 12, 2013). "Two San Francisco Giants recall playing for Little League title". The Monterey County Herald. San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  2. ^ Pavlovic, Alex (March 11, 2013). "San Francisco Giants' roster candidates were teammates once before". The Mercury News. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  3. ^ Comak, Amanda (August 28, 2008). "Quiroz reminisces about winning LLWS". Baltimore Orioles. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  4. ^ Chass, Murray (June 27, 1999). "Desperate for Players, Scouts Search the World for Nuggets of Talent". The 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. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  6. ^ "All-Time Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. 2005. Archived from the original on March 11, 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". The Mercury News. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  8. ^ Millson, Larry (August 27, 2005). "Toronto gives healthy Quiroz a shot". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "O's give Quiroz". Frederick News-Post. Associated Press. March 16, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  10. ^ "Former Cubs infielder inks one-year deal". ESPN. January 6, 2005. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  11. ^ Batian, Jordan (March 31, 2006). "Phillips to Serve as Backup Catcher". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  12. ^ Finnigan, Bob (April 1, 2006). "M's Notes: Seattle hauls in Quiroz". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  13. ^ "Mariners claim catcher Guillermo Quiroz from Toronto". Seattle Mariners. MLB.com. March 31, 2006. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. 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. MLB Advanced Media. December 27, 2006. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. 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". Baltimore Orioles. MLB.com. December 3, 2007. Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  19. ^ Kubatko, Roch (March 27, 2008). "Quiroz secures role as backup catcher". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  20. ^ Carig, Marc (March 26, 2008). "Quiroz to Back Up Hernández, Be Loewen's Battery Mate". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  21. ^ "Orioles invite 23 to spring training". Minor League Baseball. January 16, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  22. ^ Fordin, Spencer (January 22, 2009). "Zaun onboard to mentor Wieters". Baltimore Orioles. MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  23. ^ "Transactions". The San Diego Union-Tribune. March 21, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  24. ^ Eddy, Matt (April 27, 2009). "Minor League Transactions". Baseball America. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. 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". The 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". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  28. ^ Axisa, Mike (February 9, 2010). "Mariners Transactions: Pauley, Koplove, Speigner". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  29. ^ Baker, Geoff (November 3, 2010). "Mariners decline options on Erik Bedard, Jose Lopez, Russell Branyan". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  30. ^ Brock, Corey (January 5, 2011). "Padres add two on Minor League deals". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  31. ^ Center, Bill (May 20, 2011). "Reunions for catchers Johnson and Phillips". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  32. ^ "Mariners sign 11 to minor-league deals with invites to spring training". The Seattle Times. December 13, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  33. ^ Johns, Greg (December 13, 2011). "Mariners sign pair to Minor League deals". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  34. ^ "Mariners trade Minor League catcher Guillermo Quiroz to Red Sox". Seattle Mariners. MLB.com. May 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ "Red Sox acquire De La Rosa, Sands to complete trade with LA". Fox News. October 4, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  37. ^ Axisa, Mike (October 13, 2012). "Outrighted To Triple-A: Quiroz, Loux, Christian". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  38. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 29, 2012). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 20-26". Baseball America. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  39. ^ "Guillermo Quiroz's HR in 10th gives Giants 2nd straight walk-off win". ESPN. Associated Press. May 4, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  40. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 18, 2013). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 7-13". Baseball America. Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  41. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 10, 2014). "Minor League Transactions: Oct. 31-Nov. 6". Baseball America. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  42. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2014". Baseball America. November 7, 2014. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  43. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 24, 2014). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 14-20". Baseball America. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  44. ^ "Tommy Hunter agrees to 1-year contract with Indians". ESPN. Associated Press. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  45. ^ Bastian, Jordan (February 12, 2016). "Catcher Quiroz inks Minors deal with Indians". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  46. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  47. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 21, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Nov 12-18". Baseball America. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  48. ^ "Transactions". Cleveland Guardians. MLB.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  49. ^ "Grudzielanek Returning as Manager in 2019". Minor League Baseball. January 15, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  50. ^ "Quiroz Becomes First Manager in Cannon Ballers History". Minor League Baseball. January 13, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
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