Brian Esposito
Encyclopedia
Brian James Esposito is an American
professional baseball
catcher
who is a free agent.
He was recalled from the Memphis Redbirds
on May 30, , when the St. Louis Cardinals
' starting catcher, Yadier Molina
was placed on the disabled list
with a fractured wrist. Esposito made his major league debut June 2 against the Houston Astros
as a late-inning defensive replacement for Gary Bennett. He did not have a plate appearance
. He returned to Memphis on June 5 after the Cardinals acquired veteran catcher Kelly Stinnett
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
. In , he played for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers
in the Colorado Rockies
organization and became a free agent at the end of the season.
Esposito signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on January 14, , and was invited to spring training.
Esposito would join the Houston Astros
roster in 2010 when they expanded their roster in September. He would get two plate appearances on September 18, 2010 against the Cincinnati Reds
when he was a late inning replacement for Jason Castro
. He was also called up June 24, 2011, but sent back down June 29 without an appearance. On October 10, he elected free agency.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who is a free agent.
He was recalled from the Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
on May 30, , when the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
' starting catcher, Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
with a fractured wrist. Esposito made his major league debut June 2 against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
as a late-inning defensive replacement for Gary Bennett. He did not have a plate appearance
Plate appearance
In baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance each time he completes a turn batting. A player completes a turn batting when: He strikes out or is declared out before reaching first base; or He reaches first base safely or is awarded first base ; or He hits a fair ball which...
. He returned to Memphis on June 5 after the Cardinals acquired veteran catcher Kelly Stinnett
Kelly Stinnett
Kelly Lee Stinnett is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or part of 14 seasons in the majors, from until .-High school years:...
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. In , he played for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
in the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
organization and became a free agent at the end of the season.
Esposito signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on January 14, , and was invited to spring training.
Esposito would join the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
roster in 2010 when they expanded their roster in September. He would get two plate appearances on September 18, 2010 against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
when he was a late inning replacement for Jason Castro
Jason Castro (baseball)
Jason Michael Castro is a catcher for the Houston Astros.-Career:Castro played high school baseball for Castro Valley High School....
. He was also called up June 24, 2011, but sent back down June 29 without an appearance. On October 10, he elected free agency.