Where Are They Now: Guillermo Quiroz

Guillermo Quiroz never did much in a Mariners uniform. The 29 year old catcher signed with the Mariners on two separate occasions. In 2006, the Mariners claimed Quiroz from the Blue Jays off of waivers. That season he saw only 2 major league at bats in which he went hitless. He spent a majority of that 2006 season at AA and AAA in the Mariners organization.

After the 2006 season, he was granted free agency and he made stops in Baltimore and Texas before signing with the Mariners again in 2009. In 2009, he had only 14 major league at bats in which he hit .286. After the 2009 season, he re-signed with Seattle and it was the same story. Last year Quiroz saw only 7 at bats and he again hit .286. While in a Seattle Mariners jersey, Quiroz hit .261 with 2 RBI and 0 homeruns in 23 at bats.

The majority of Quiroz’s career with Seattle has been at the AA and AA levels, serving as catching depth. In 2010 at the minor league level, his average was .286. That seems to be the magic number for Quiroz! In his entire minor league career with the Mariners, he has had 732 at bats and his stats have been nothing special. An ok average with zero power and speed.

What has carried Quiroz this far in his career is his defense. He has a good accurate arm and he is a sound defender. This is always a good asset to have as a back up catcher. He has played a large majority of his career at the minor league level, so one could assume that Quiroz has learned to work well with young pitchers.

Quiroz signed a minor league contract with the Padres this offseason with an invite to major league spring training. Quiroz will compete with another former Mariner, Rob Johnson, as the back up catcher behind Nick Hundley. The think we will most likely see Quiroz at AAA for the Padres.

The once top 100 prospect will look to continue his career in a Padres jersey at the age of 29.