Raul Casanova
Encyclopedia
Raul Casanova was a Major League Baseball
catcher
from 1996 to 2008 with the exception of 1999 and 2006.
.
His professional career started off that year, and it was not impressive-in 65 at bat
s, he collected only five hits
for a .077 batting average. His season was almost just as bad - in 18 at bats with the Kingsport Mets
, he collected one hit for a .056 batting average. In 32 games with the Gulf Coast League
Mets that year, he hit .243.
His season was a definite improvement. In 137 at bats with Kingsport that year, not only did he hit his first professional home run
, but he also hit .270. He hit only .167 in 18 at bats with the Columbia Mets
that year though.
After the 1992 season, he was traded with Wally Whitehurst
and D.J. Dozier to the San Diego Padres
for Tony Fernández
. That trade might have saved his previous unstellar professional career.
He spent the whole of with the Waterloo Diamonds
, and he hit .256 with six home runs in 76 games.
Then, in , he had the best season of his professional career. Playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
, his batting average soared to .340, and he also blasted 23 home runs and had 120 RBI
. Because of his outstanding performance, he was named the Padres Minor League Player of the Year. He was also a California League
All-Star.
It would be nearly impossible to follow up a season like 1994 with an identical one the next year. In , Casanova saw his average drop to .271, but he did hit 12 home runs while with the Memphis Chicks
. He was playing in Double-A baseball, higher than he had ever played before. According to Baseball America
, he was the 60th best prospect in 1995.
After the 1995 season, he was traded with Richie Lewis
and Melvin Nieves
to the Detroit Tigers
for Sean Bergman
, Todd Steverson
and minor leaguer Cade Gaspar
.
He started with a bang, hitting .333 in 30 at bats with the Jacksonville Suns
. That prompted his promotion to Triple-A, where he hit .273 in 49 games.
of the Kansas City Royals
. Two days later in his very next game, he hit his first career home run, a solo shot off Kevin Appier
. Overall, he played 25 games for the Tigers that year, hitting .188 with four home runs and nine RBI. In 1996, he hit home runs from both sides of the plate in one game.
He was the team's main starting catcher in , although Matt Walbeck
also got a fairly large amount of playing time. In 101 games with Detroit that year, he hit .243 with five home runs and 24 RBI. Of all the players on the team who appeared in over 100 games, he was the only one not to collect 40 or more RBI. He also spent some time in the minors, hitting .195 in 12 games with the Toledo Mud Hens
.
He started as the team's starting catcher, but after collecting only two hits in his first 13 games, he was sent down to Toledo. In 50 games with Toledo that year, he hit .257. He was recalled back to the Majors in July of that year, but only played three more games in the big leagues. Overall, he hit only .143 in 16 games with the Tigers that year. His trips to the plate at Tiger Stadium in Detroit were often accompanied by a clip from the R&B song "Casanova" by the group Levert.
He spent all of in the minor leagues, playing as low as Rookie League baseball. In two games with the GCL Tigers that year, he collected four hits (including a home run) in five at bats for an .800 batting average. In 12 at bats with Single-A Advanced Lakeland
, he hit .500, hitting another home run. He really struggled while with Triple-A Toledo-he spent 44 games with them and hit only .206.
He was granted free agency
after the 1999 season and was signed by the Colorado Rockies
. He was released by them before the beginning of the season and was then picked up by the Milwaukee Brewers
. Casanova, Henry Blanco
and Tyler Houston
all spent time catching for the Brewers in . He hit .247 with six home runs (including two grand slams
) and 36 RBI for the Brewers that year. He also hit .288 in 20 games with the Indianapolis Indians
that season.
He was the team's main backup catcher in , backing up Blanco. He had a career year that year, belting a career high 11 home runs and hitting a career high .260 in 71 games. Also, for the first time in his career, he did not spent any time in the minors that season.
was a bad season for Casanova. He started off with the Brewers, but after hitting only .184 in 31 games with them he was released and quickly signed by the Baltimore Orioles
. He only played two games with them that year, collecting no hits in one at bat. Overall, he hit .182 that year, with one home run and eight RBI. He spent 14 games with Indianapolis that year as well-he hit .279 with them.
He played in five different farm systems between and , actually playing fairly impressively. He played for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
and Ottawa Lynx
in 2003, hitting .301 while with the Sky Sox, who are in the Colorado Rockies farm system, and .286 with the Lynx, who are in the Orioles farm system.
Signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox
in , he hit .270 in 23 games with their Triple-A team, the Pawtucket Red Sox
before being sent to the Kansas City Royals as part of a conditional deal. In 58 games with their Triple-A team, the Omaha Royals
, he hit an outstanding .323 with 10 home runs.
Even after a great performance in their system, Casanova was released by the Royals and then signed by the Chicago White Sox
. He spent 70 games with their Triple-A team, the Charlotte Knights
, before getting called up to the Majors in the latter part of the season. In six games with the White Sox that year, he collected one hit in five at bats for a .200 batting average.
He was granted free agency after the 2005 season and was signed by the Oakland Athletics
. He played in a total of eight minor league games in , hitting .265 in 34 at bats. He spent time with three teams in '06 - he played two games with the Stockton Ports
, two games with the Midland RockHounds
and four games with the Sacramento River Cats
.
He was a non-roster invitee to spring training
in for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls
. In June 2007, Casanova was called up to back up Dioner Navarro
in the major leagues. In 29 big league games in 2007, Casanova hit .253 with six home runs and 11 RBI. His slugging percentage was .519. In 44 games with the Bulls, he hit .291 with five home runs and 21 RBI. On December 12, 2007, Casanova signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.
On April 27, 2008, Casanova hit his first home run as a New York Met. Batting left-handed
, he hit the home run to right-center field at Shea Stadium
against Atlanta Braves
pitcher John Smoltz
.
Casanova was placed on the bereavement list on June 4, 2008, after the death of his father. After returning to the team a few days later, he was designated for assignment on June 10. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
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...
from 1996 to 2008 with the exception of 1999 and 2006.
Minor leagues
He was drafted 220th overall, in the eighth round of the draft by the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
His professional career started off that year, and it was not impressive-in 65 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, he collected only five hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
for a .077 batting average. His season was almost just as bad - in 18 at bats with the Kingsport Mets
Kingsport Mets
The Kingsport Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. The team, which plays in the Appalachian League, is a Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Mets....
, he collected one hit for a .056 batting average. In 32 games with the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
Mets that year, he hit .243.
His season was a definite improvement. In 137 at bats with Kingsport that year, not only did he hit his first professional home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, but he also hit .270. He hit only .167 in 18 at bats with the Columbia Mets
Columbia Mets
Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the Columbia Mets were affiliated with the New York Mets from 1983 to 1992. A member of the South Atlantic League, they became the Capital City Bombers in 1993. They played in Capital City Stadium.-Year by Year Record:...
that year though.
After the 1992 season, he was traded with Wally Whitehurst
Wally Whitehurst
Walter Richard Whitehurst is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from to with the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees...
and D.J. Dozier to 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...
for Tony Fernández
Tony Fernández
Octavio Antonio Fernández Castro , better known as Tony Fernández, is a former Major League Baseball player most noted for his defensive skills setting a record for shortstops with a .992 fielding percentage in 1989.-Career:...
. That trade might have saved his previous unstellar professional career.
He spent the whole of with the Waterloo Diamonds
Waterloo Diamonds
Located in Waterloo, Iowa, the Waterloo Diamonds were a baseball team that formed in 1989 and lasted until 1993. A member of the Midwest League, they were affiliated with two teams in 1989-the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres. From 1990 to 1993, they were affiliated solely with the Padres....
, and he hit .256 with six home runs in 76 games.
Then, in , he had the best season of his professional career. Playing for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
, his batting average soared to .340, and he also blasted 23 home runs and had 120 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. Because of his outstanding performance, he was named the Padres Minor League Player of the Year. He was also a California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
All-Star.
It would be nearly impossible to follow up a season like 1994 with an identical one the next year. In , Casanova saw his average drop to .271, but he did hit 12 home runs while with the Memphis Chicks
Memphis Chicks
The Memphis Chicks were an American minor league baseball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Chicks were charter members of the Southern Association from 1901 until November 18, 1960, when the club folded and was transferred to Macon, Georgia for 1961.The Chicks suffered a...
. He was playing in Double-A baseball, higher than he had ever played before. According to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, he was the 60th best prospect in 1995.
After the 1995 season, he was traded with Richie Lewis
Richie Lewis
Richie Todd Lewis is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds. He attended Southside High School in Muncie, where his father was the coach for many years...
and Melvin Nieves
Melvin Nieves
Melvin Nieves Ramos is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1992 until 1998, and two seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1999-2000...
to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Sean Bergman
Sean Bergman
Sean Frederick Bergman is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, and Minnesota Twins between and...
, Todd Steverson
Todd Steverson
Todd Anthony Steverson is a former right-handed left and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres...
and minor leaguer Cade Gaspar
Cade Gaspar
Cade Gaspar is a retired American professional baseball pitcher and the son of former outfielder Rod Gaspar. A right-hander, he was 6'3" tall but weighed only 175 pounds...
.
He started with a bang, hitting .333 in 30 at bats with the Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
. That prompted his promotion to Triple-A, where he hit .273 in 49 games.
Major leagues
He made his major league debut on May 24 of that year at the age of 23, going 0-for-4 in his debut game. He collected his first hit on May 27 off pitcher Tim BelcherTim Belcher
Timothy Wayne Belcher is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He won the Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award in for the National League...
of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. Two days later in his very next game, he hit his first career home run, a solo shot off Kevin Appier
Kevin Appier
Robert Kevin Appier is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and Anaheim Angels.-Kansas City Royals:...
. Overall, he played 25 games for the Tigers that year, hitting .188 with four home runs and nine RBI. In 1996, he hit home runs from both sides of the plate in one game.
He was the team's main starting catcher in , although Matt Walbeck
Matt Walbeck
Matthew Lovick Walbeck is a former right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played from to for the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Anaheim Angels and Philadelphia Phillies...
also got a fairly large amount of playing time. In 101 games with Detroit that year, he hit .243 with five home runs and 24 RBI. Of all the players on the team who appeared in over 100 games, he was the only one not to collect 40 or more RBI. He also spent some time in the minors, hitting .195 in 12 games with the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
.
He started as the team's starting catcher, but after collecting only two hits in his first 13 games, he was sent down to Toledo. In 50 games with Toledo that year, he hit .257. He was recalled back to the Majors in July of that year, but only played three more games in the big leagues. Overall, he hit only .143 in 16 games with the Tigers that year. His trips to the plate at Tiger Stadium in Detroit were often accompanied by a clip from the R&B song "Casanova" by the group Levert.
He spent all of in the minor leagues, playing as low as Rookie League baseball. In two games with the GCL Tigers that year, he collected four hits (including a home run) in five at bats for an .800 batting average. In 12 at bats with Single-A Advanced Lakeland
Lakeland Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida.Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers spring training home, seats 8,500 fans...
, he hit .500, hitting another home run. He really struggled while with Triple-A Toledo-he spent 44 games with them and hit only .206.
He was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the 1999 season and was signed by 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...
. He was released by them before the beginning of the season and was then picked up by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee 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...
. Casanova, Henry Blanco
Henry Blanco
Henry Ramón Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He currently plays in Major League Baseball as a catcher and is currently a free agent...
and Tyler Houston
Tyler Houston
Tyler Sam Houston , is a former professional baseball player who played third base and catcher in the Major Leagues from 1996-2003....
all spent time catching for the Brewers in . He hit .247 with six home runs (including two grand slams
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
) and 36 RBI for the Brewers that year. He also hit .288 in 20 games with the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
that season.
He was the team's main backup catcher in , backing up Blanco. He had a career year that year, belting a career high 11 home runs and hitting a career high .260 in 71 games. Also, for the first time in his career, he did not spent any time in the minors that season.
was a bad season for Casanova. He started off with the Brewers, but after hitting only .184 in 31 games with them he was released and quickly signed by the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. He only played two games with them that year, collecting no hits in one at bat. Overall, he hit .182 that year, with one home run and eight RBI. He spent 14 games with Indianapolis that year as well-he hit .279 with them.
He played in five different farm systems between and , actually playing fairly impressively. He played for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
and Ottawa Lynx
Ottawa Lynx
The Ottawa Lynx were a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Lynx Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario. Over the team's 15 seasons, it was the Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Montreal Expos , Baltimore...
in 2003, hitting .301 while with the Sky Sox, who are in the Colorado Rockies farm system, and .286 with the Lynx, who are in the Orioles farm system.
Signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in , he hit .270 in 23 games with their Triple-A team, the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
before being sent to the Kansas City Royals as part of a conditional deal. In 58 games with their Triple-A team, the Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
, he hit an outstanding .323 with 10 home runs.
Even after a great performance in their system, Casanova was released by the Royals and then signed by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. He spent 70 games with their Triple-A team, the Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
, before getting called up to the Majors in the latter part of the season. In six games with the White Sox that year, he collected one hit in five at bats for a .200 batting average.
He was granted free agency after the 2005 season and was signed by 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....
. He played in a total of eight minor league games in , hitting .265 in 34 at bats. He spent time with three teams in '06 - he played two games with the Stockton Ports
Stockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
, two games with the Midland RockHounds
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
and four 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....
.
He was a non-roster invitee to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
. In June 2007, Casanova was called up to back up Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
in the major leagues. In 29 big league games in 2007, Casanova hit .253 with six home runs and 11 RBI. His slugging percentage was .519. In 44 games with the Bulls, he hit .291 with five home runs and 21 RBI. On December 12, 2007, Casanova signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.
On April 27, 2008, Casanova hit his first home run as a New York Met. Batting left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
, he hit the home run to right-center field at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
against Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
pitcher John Smoltz
John Smoltz
John Andrew Smoltz is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and active sportscaster. He is best known for his prolific career of more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, in which he garnered eight All-Star selections and received the Cy Young Award in 1996...
.
Casanova was placed on the bereavement list on June 4, 2008, after the death of his father. After returning to the team a few days later, he was designated for assignment on June 10. He became a free agent at the end of the season.