Willis Otañez
Encyclopedia
Willis Alexander Otáñez (born April 19, 1973, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
) is a former infielder
in Major League Baseball
. He currently plays for the Broncos de Reynosa
of the Mexican League
Otáñez was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
as an amateur free agent in . He played in the Dodgers farm system through the season, then was traded along with Miguel Cairo
to the Seattle Mariners
for Mike Blowers
. He lasted just a couple months with Seattle before being placed on waivers and claimed by the Baltimore Orioles
.
Otáñez made his Major League Baseball debut with the Baltimore Orioles
on August 25, . He played the remainder of 1998 and part of with the Orioles before being claimed on waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays
. In , he returned to the minor leagues for the Blue Jays.
Otáñez went on to play in the Atlanta Braves
organization in , then played for the Bridgeport Bluefish
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
in 2002. After starting with the Bluefish, he returned to the Orioles system to finish the season. After spending another full season at Bridgeport in , he has split each subsequent season between various teams in the Mexican League and the Atlantic League. He signed with the Pericos for the season.
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Vega Baja is a municipality in north central Puerto Rico located in the northern coast, north of Morovis; east of Manatí; and west of Vega Alta. Vega Baja is spread over 13 wards and Vega Baja Pueblo...
) is a former infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
in Major League Baseball
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...
. He currently plays for the Broncos de Reynosa
Broncos de Reynosa
The Reynosa Broncos are a Mexican team that play in the Adolfo Lopez Mateos stadium in the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas.The Broncos de Reynosa play in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol and it's part of the Zona Norte division....
of the Mexican League
Otáñez was originally signed by 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...
as an amateur free agent in . He played in the Dodgers farm system through the season, then was traded along with Miguel Cairo
Miguel Cairo
Miguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher and pitcher. He currently plays mostly third base, in place of Scott Rolen during his...
to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Mike Blowers
Mike Blowers
Michael Roy Blowers is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington...
. He lasted just a couple months with Seattle before being placed on waivers and claimed 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...
.
Otáñez made his Major League Baseball debut with 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...
on August 25, . He played the remainder of 1998 and part of with the Orioles before being claimed on waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. In , he returned to the minor leagues for the Blue Jays.
Otáñez went on to play in the 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....
organization in , then played for the Bridgeport Bluefish
Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
in 2002. After starting with the Bluefish, he returned to the Orioles system to finish the season. After spending another full season at Bridgeport in , he has split each subsequent season between various teams in the Mexican League and the Atlantic League. He signed with the Pericos for the season.