| Héctor Luna | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chunichi Dragons – No. 0 | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: February 1, 1980 Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic) |
|
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 8, 2004 for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Career statistics (through 2012 season) |
|
| Batting average | .262 |
| Home runs | 15 |
| Runs batted in | 96 |
| Hits | 208 |
| Teams | |
Héctor R. Luna (born February 1, 1980) is a Dominican professional baseball infielder who is currently with the Chunichi Dragons. He is primarily an infielder, but has played every position at the major league level except pitcher and catcher.
Contents |
Career [edit]
Cleveland Indians [edit]
He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 1999 and played from 2000 to 2003 with the Indians farm system, reaching as high as AA with the Akron Aeros in 2003. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted Luna from the Indians in the 2002 Rule 5 Draft. He was returned to the Indians in April 2003. Luna was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Indians in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2003.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays [edit]
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted Luna from the Indians in the 2002 Rule 5 Draft. He was returned to the Indians in April 2003.
St. Louis Cardinals [edit]
Luna was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Indians in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2003. He made his major league debut on April 8, 2004, with the Cardinals. He hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat, against Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano leading off the bottom of the third inning [1]
In the 2004 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, Luna appeared in one game. In the eighth inning of the fourth game, he pinch hit for Tony Womack and struck out.
Return to Indians [edit]
On July 30, 2006, Luna was traded by the Cardinals to the Cleveland Indians for second baseman Ronnie Belliard. He split second base duties with Joe Inglett for the remainder of the season.
After the 2006 season, the Indians acquired Josh Barfield from the San Diego Padres to be the team's everyday second baseman, leaving Luna to fight for a utility infield role with three other candidates during the team's 2007 spring training. He performed poorly during spring training, committing eight errors and batting just .012 in 28 spring games. The Indians kept Mike Rouse as their utility infielder and Luna began 2007 with AAA Buffalo.
Toronto Blue Jays [edit]
On August 3, 2007, the Toronto Blue Jays claimed Luna off waivers and he played in 22 games in 2007 and two in 2008 with Toronto.
Los Angeles Dodgers [edit]
He became a free agent after the 2008 season and signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[2]
Luna was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes for the 2009 season. He had a great year for the Isotopes, hitting .351 with 17 homers and 51 RBI.
Florida Marlins [edit]
He spent 2010 in the Florida Marlins system and appeared in 27 games for the Marlins late in the season, hitting .138.
Boston Red Sox [edit]
On January 3, 2011, Luna signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.[3]
Philadelphia Phillies [edit]
On December 21, 2011, Luna signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[4] After opening the 2012 season with the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs, his contract was purchased by the Phillies on May 11. Luna replaced the injured Laynce Nix on the Phillies' 25-man roster. He hit a grand slam in his first official at-bat as a Phillie five days later against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He was released by the Phillies on August 30, 2012.
Pittsburgh Pirates [edit]
Luna signed with the Pirates on August 31, 2012.[5] In November 2012, Luna became a free agent.
Chunichi Dragons [edit]
In November 2012, Luna signed with the Chunichi Dragons worth $450,000 with up to $200,000 in incentives.[6]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200404080.shtml
- ^ Luna goes to Hollywood
- ^ Red Sox sign four free agents to Minors deals MLB.com, February 2, 2011
- ^ Sheldon, Mark (December 21, 2011). "Phillies give Minor League deals to Hector Luna, Luis Montanez". Phillies.com.
- ^ Williams, Tim (August 31, 2012). "Minor Moves: Pirates Sign Hector Luna, Upper Level Promotions".
- ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (November 21, 2012). "Minor Moves: Ka'aihue, Hinshaw, Luna, Pirates".
External links [edit]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
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