J.D. Closser
Encyclopedia
JD Closser is a Major League Baseball
catcher
, who is currently playing for the Edmonton Capitals
of the North American Baseball League.
in the 5th round of the 1998 MLB Draft
and played in their minor league system through 2001. In 1999 he was named to the Short Season A All-Star team and Pioneer League All-Star team while playing for the South Bend Silver Hawks
.
to the Colorado Rockies
on January 2, 2002 for Mike Myers. With the Tulsa Drillers
in 2003, Closser hit .283 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI, earning a spot on the Texas League
All-Star team.
Closser made his debut midway through the season. Closser began the season as the starting catcher for the Colorado Rockies
. However, his offensive doldrums coupled with his near-complete inability to throw-out potential base stealers cost him. The second half of the 2005 campaign, he lost his starting role to backup catcher Danny Ardoin
. Closser was up and down from the minors to the majors in the season with the Rockies.
on October 13, 2006. After just 17 games with the Nashville Sounds
he was traded to the Oakland Athletics
for outfielder
Charles Thomas
. He appeared in 81 games with the Sacramento River Cats
, hitting .231 and then was selected
, the Triple-A team for the Chicago Cubs
and signed with New York Yankees
, who assigned him to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, their Triple-A affiliate. He was released by the Yankees on August 6 and signed with the Portland Beavers
, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres
.
. He started play for the Chattanooga Lookouts
, the Dodgers Double-A affiliate. On June 15, Closser was called up to the Albuquerque Isotopes
, the Triple-A affiliate. With the Isotopes, Closser batted .295 with 2 homers and 31 RBI while alternating time at catcher
and first base, sharing the catching duties with A. J. Ellis
. In 2010, he spent the entire season at Albuquerque, appearing in 92 games with a .268 batting average. In 2011, he appeared in 69 games for the Isotopes, hitting .297, with 10 home runs while splitting time between catcher and first base. On July 16, he was released by the Dodgers and became a free agent.
in Indiana
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
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 currently playing for the Edmonton Capitals
Edmonton Capitals
The Edmonton Capitals are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Known originally as the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, they began play in the Northern League in 2005 before switching to the Golden Baseball League in 2008. The team was sold to Daryl Katz in 2009, after which the team was...
of the North American Baseball League.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Closser was selected by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in the 5th round of the 1998 MLB Draft
MLB Draft
The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is Major League Baseball's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges, and other amateur baseball clubs, to its teams. The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings, with...
and played in their minor league system through 2001. In 1999 he was named to the Short Season A All-Star team and Pioneer League All-Star team while playing for the South Bend Silver Hawks
South Bend Silver Hawks
The South Bend Silver Hawks are a U.S. Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that plays in the Midwest League....
.
Colorado Rockies
The Diamondbacks traded Closser and Jack CustJack Cust
John Joseph "Jack" Cust III is an American professional baseball designated hitter and outfielder who is a free agent. Cust attended Immaculata High School in Somerville, New Jersey...
to 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...
on January 2, 2002 for Mike Myers. With the 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 2003, Closser hit .283 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI, earning a spot on the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
All-Star team.
Closser made his debut midway through the season. Closser began the season as the starting catcher for 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...
. However, his offensive doldrums coupled with his near-complete inability to throw-out potential base stealers cost him. The second half of the 2005 campaign, he lost his starting role to backup catcher Danny Ardoin
Danny Ardoin
Daniel Wayne Ardoin is a retired catcher in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.-High school years:...
. Closser was up and down from the minors to the majors in the season with the Rockies.
Milwaukee Brewers/Oakland Athletics
He was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on October 13, 2006. After just 17 games with the Nashville Sounds
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
he was traded to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Charles Thomas
Charles Thomas (baseball)
Charles Wesley Thomas is a left fielder in Major League Baseball. He last played in the Milwaukee Brewers organization with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. Previously, Thomas played with the Atlanta Braves , and Oakland Athletics...
. He appeared in 81 games with the Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
, hitting .231 and then was selected
Chicago Cubs/New York Yankees/San Diego Padres
On April 10, , Closser was released from the Iowa CubsIowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
, the Triple-A team for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and signed with New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, who assigned him to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, their Triple-A affiliate. He was released by the Yankees on August 6 and signed with the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
Los Angeles Dodgers
In February , Closser signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos 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...
. He started play for the Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
, the Dodgers Double-A affiliate. On June 15, Closser was called up to the Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, the Triple-A affiliate. With the Isotopes, Closser batted .295 with 2 homers and 31 RBI while alternating time at 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...
and first base, sharing the catching duties with A. J. Ellis
A. J. Ellis
Andrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
. In 2010, he spent the entire season at Albuquerque, appearing in 92 games with a .268 batting average. In 2011, he appeared in 69 games for the Isotopes, hitting .297, with 10 home runs while splitting time between catcher and first base. On July 16, he was released by the Dodgers and became a free agent.
Personal
Closser officially changed his first name to "JD". Closser and his wife, Holley, have two daughters, Isabelle and Callie McKenna. He attended Alexandria Monroe High SchoolAlexandria Monroe High School
Alexandria Monroe High School is a high school in Alexandria, Indiana. It is a co-educational public school enrolling students in grades 9-12. It is under the auspices of the Alexandria Community School Corporation. The school enrolls around 500 students....
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.