José Morales (catcher)

Infobox MLB player


width = 150px
name=José Morales

position=Catcher
team=Minnesota Twins
number=58
bats=Switch
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|2|20
birthplace=city-state|Rio Piedras|Puerto Rico
debutdate=September 8
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Minnesota Twins
statyear=2007
stat1label=Batting Average
stat1value=1.000
stat2label=Home Runs
stat2value=0
stat3label=Runs Batted In
stat3value=0
teams=
*Minnesota Twins (by|2007)

José Guillermo Morales (born February 20, 1983 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins.

Morales was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 3rd round (77th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft.

From 2001 to 2002, Morales played for the GCL Twins. He mainly played second base. In 2003, Morales was converted to catcher and played for two Single-A teams, the Quad City River Bandits and the Fort Myers Miracle.

In 2007, Morales had a breakout minor league season. Playing for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, he played in 108 games and batted .311 with 2 home runs and 37 RBIs. He was named to the International League midseason and postseason All-Star teams. On September 6, 2007, with Joe Mauer and Mike Redmond banged up, his contract was purchased by the big league club. [Associated Press. [http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5ioAC3IgHDrGrNF3UD0G03Tc8I70Q "With Redmond, Mauer banged up, Twins to add catcher Jose Morales "] , "CanadianPress.com", September 6, 2007. Accessed September 16, 2007.]

On September 8, 2007, Morales made his major league debut against the Chicago White Sox. In the second inning, he collected his first major league hit, which was a single, against José Contreras. In the third inning, he collected his second major league hit, which was a double and would eventually score. In the fifth inning, he collected his third major league hit, which was once again a single. Two batters later, Jason Tyner laid down a bunt single. When Morales was running towards second base, he lost his footing and injured his left ankle. [Associated Press. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/wires/09/08/2010.ap.bba.twins.morales.injured.0119/ "Minnesota backup C Morales leaves game with ankle injury"] , "SportsIlustrated.com", September 8, 2007. Accessed September 16, 2007.] Chris Heintz then pinch ran for Morales. The next day, the Twins purchased the contract of Matt LeCroy and placed Morales on the 60-day DL, thus ending his 2007 season. He ended the 2007 season having played just 1 game, batted 1.000 (3-3), and scored a run.

In 2008 Morales was hitting .315 with the Red Wings before going on the disabled list again June 12 with a sprained left ankle. [ [http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080613/SPORTS0105/806130349/1015 Red Wings fail to live up to expectations] ]

References

External links

* [http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=458643 MLB.com Player Profile]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28909 ESPN.com Player Profile]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/moraljo02.shtml Baseball Reference Player Profile]
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Jose-Morales-1.shtml The Baseball Cube Player Profile]