Juan Centeno Explained

Juan Centeno
Team:Free agent
Position:Catcher
Birth Date:16 November 1989
Birth Place:Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Bats:Left
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 18
Debutyear:2013
Debutteam:New York Mets
Statyear:2019 season
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.223
Stat3label:Home runs
Stat3value:6
Stat4label:Runs batted in
Stat4value:37
Teams:
Awards:

Juan Carlos Centeno (;[1] born November 16, 1989) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox.

Career

New York Mets

Centeno was selected in round 32 with the 991st pick of the 2007 MLB draft by the New York Mets. He received a $5,000 signing bonus. He was selected primarily because of his defensive qualities, as his batting capabilities were not the best.[2] Centeno began his professional career in 2007 with the Gulf Coast League Mets at the Rookie League league level

After the 2008 season, he played for Gigantes de Carolina of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC).

After the 2012 season, he played for Atenienses de Manatí of the LBPRC.

In 2013, Centeno advanced to the Triple-A level with the Las Vegas 51s. On September 9, 2013, Centeno was called up to the majors for the first time.[3] He made his major league debut on September 18 against the San Francisco Giants, going 2-for-4 with two singles, and his first major league RBI. For the 2013 season, Centeno appeared in four MLB games, batting .300 with one RBI. After the 2013 season, he played for Carolina of the LBPRC.

In 2014, he appeared in 10 MLB games, batting .200 with two RBIs. That season, Centeno also played in 74 minor league games, batting .289 with one home run and 25 RBIs.

After the 2014 season, he played for Senadores de San Juan of the LBPRC.

Milwaukee Brewers

On October 31, 2014, Centeno was selected off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.

In 2015, after catcher Jonathan Lucroy was injured, Centeno was called up to Milwaukee. From late April to late May, he appeared in 10 MLB games, batting .048 (1-for-21).[4] He was optioned to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox when Lucroy returned.[5] On November 2, Centeno was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Colorado Springs on November 2.[6] He was granted free agency on November 6.[7] After the 2015 season, he played for Cangrejeros de Santurce and Criollos de Caguas of the LBPRC.

Minnesota Twins

Centeno signed with the Minnesota Twins on November 30, 2015.[7]

In 2016, He served as the team's regular back-up catcher, appearing in 55 games with 192 plate appearances while batting .261 (46-for-176) with three home runs and 25 RBIs.[8] He again became a free agent on November 23, 2016.[7] After the 2016 season, he played for Tiburones de Aguadilla of the LBPRC.

Houston Astros

On December 15, 2016, Centeno signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.[9]

On May 23, 2017, Centeno appeared in his first game for the Astros against the Detroit Tigers, where he homered in his debut.[10] In 22 games with the Astros in 2017, Centeno finished with a .231 batting average, two home runs, and four RBI.[10] The Astros finished the season with a 101–61 record, and went on to win the World Series for the first time.[11] Centeno was on the Astros' roster through the postseason, but only appeared in one postseason game (Game 3 of the 2017 ALDS) and did not have a plate appearance.[12]

Texas Rangers

Centeno was claimed off waivers on November 27, 2017, by the Texas Rangers.[13]

Early in the 2018 season, he appeared in 10 games with the Rangers, batting .162 (6-for-37) with one home run and three RBIs.[14] He was designated for assignment on May 3, and sent outright to the Triple-A Round Rock Express four days later.[15] He was granted free agency on October 1, 2018.[7] [16] After the 2018 season, he played for Indios de Mayagüez of the LBPRC.

Boston Red Sox

On November 13, 2018, Centeno signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox;[17] he was assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.[18]

On September 1, 2019, the Red Sox selected Centeno's contract, adding him to their active MLB roster.[19] He played his first game with the Red Sox on September 11, appearing against the Toronto Blue Jays.[20] Centeno appeared in seven games with the 2019 Red Sox, batting .133 with two RBI. Following the 2019 season, he was removed from Boston's 40-man roster and elected to become a free agent.[21] [22] After the 2019 season, he played for Atenienses de Manatí of the LBPRC.

On January 23, 2020, Centeno re-signed with the Red Sox on a minor league deal.[23] He was later announced as a non-roster invitee to Red Sox spring training.[24] He became a minor-league free agent on November 2, 2020.[25] After the 2020 season, he played for Atenienses of the LBPRC. He has also played for Puerto Rico in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

Detroit Tigers

On April 15, 2021, Centeno signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.[26] Centeno began the 2021 season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. After only five games, hitting .316 with one home run and four RBI, he was promoted to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Centeno played in 53 games for Triple-A Toledo, hitting .277 with one home run and 17 RBI. He became a free agent following the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 25, 2022, Centeno signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[27] He split the season between the Double–A Amarillo Sod Poodles and Triple–A Reno Aces, slashing .305/.355/.512 with 15 home runs and 67 RBI in 91 combined appearances.

In 2023, Centeno spent the entire year with Amarillo, playing in 68 games and hitting .271/.324/.327 with one home run, 23 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.[28]

Saraperos de Saltillo

On November 23, 2023, Centeno signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League.[29] In 44 games for Saltillo in 2024, he batted .347/.438/.438 with one home run and 22 RBI. Centeno was released by the Saraperos on July 24, 2024.[30]

Personal life

Centeno is married.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://snymetsminors.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/vegas_2014_roster_march31_igbcrpag.pdf Las Vegas 51s 2014 roster.
  2. News: Rosa Rosa. Carlos. El Nuevo Día. es. Suena alto el nombre de Juan Centeno. November 13, 2016. November 13, 2016.
  3. Mets. New York Mets. 376823980851609600. 8 September 2013. Outfielder Mike Baxter, RHP Aaron Harang and catcher Juan Centeno will join the team in New York tomorrow..
  4. Web site: Juan Centeno 2015 Batting Game Logs . . August 31, 2019.
  5. Web site: Brewers Roster & Staff – Transactions . . June 2015 . August 31, 2019 . September 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190901025019/http://m.brewers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2015/06 . dead .
  6. Web site: Outrighted: Schafer, Hellweg, Jimenez, Moreno, Santos. June 22, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. November 2, 2015 . en.
  7. Web site: Juan Centeno . . August 31, 2019.
  8. Web site: Juan Centeno 2016 Batting Game Logs . . August 31, 2019.
  9. Web site: Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10-22. Eddy. Matt. baseballamerica.com. December 24, 2016. December 24, 2016.
  10. Web site: Juan Centeno 2017 Batting Game Logs . . August 31, 2019.
  11. Web site: McTaggart. Brian. Gurnick. Ken. Houston Astros win 2017 World Series. MLB. November 2, 2017. November 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012212/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/260380704/astros-beat-dodgers-to-win-first-world-series/. dead.
  12. Web site: Juan Centeno Postseason Batting Game Log . . August 31, 2019.
  13. Web site: Rangers Claim Juan Centeno From Astros. Adams. Steve. mlbtraderumors.com. November 27, 2017. November 27, 2017.
  14. Web site: Juan Centeno 2018 Batting Game Logs . . August 31, 2019.
  15. Web site: Rangers Roster & Staff – Transactions . . May 2018 . August 31, 2019 . September 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190901032230/http://m.rangers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/05 . dead .
  16. Web site: Players Electing Free Agency. MLB Trade Rumors. Jeff. Todd. October 8, 2018. October 9, 2018.
  17. Web site: Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions . November 2018 . . June 5, 2019 . June 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190605183102/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/11 . dead .
  18. Web site: Juan Centeno Stats, Highlights, Bio . MiLB.com . June 5, 2019.
  19. Web site: Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions . September 2019 . . September 1, 2019 . September 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190901220726/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2019/09 . dead .
  20. Web site: Red Sox vs. Blue Jays - Box Score . . September 11, 2019 . September 11, 2019.
  21. Web site: Red Sox Outright Juan Centeno . Jeff . Todd . mlbtraderumors.com . November 4, 2019 . November 9, 2019.
  22. RedSox . 1191449534649511936 . Catcher Juan Centeno was outrighted from the major league roster. He has elected free agency. . November 4, 2019 . November 9, 2019.
  23. News: Red Sox sign Juan Centeno to minor-league deal . Matt . Collins . overthemonster.com . January 23, 2020 . February 11, 2020.
  24. RedSox . 1227223514987581440 . The #RedSox have added five non-roster invitees to the team's 2020 Spring Training roster . February 11, 2020 . February 11, 2020.
  25. News: Former Red Sox utilityman Tzu-Wei Lin is now a minor-league free agent . Brendan . Campbell . bloggingtheredsox.com . November 2, 2020 . November 3, 2020.
  26. Web site: Major League Baseball Transactions.
  27. News: Diamondbacks Sign Juan Centeno To Minor League Deal. January 25, 2022. January 25, 2022.
  28. Web site: 2023 MiLB Free Agents. November 27, 2023. baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2023 . en.
  29. Web site: LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 23 de noviembre de 2023. November 27, 2023. milb.com. en.
  30. Web site: LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 24 de julio de 2024. July 25, 2024. milb.com. en.