Ruben A. Gotay (/ɡoʊˈtaɪ/ goh-TY; born December 25, 1982) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2008 with the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. He is currently a coach for the Clearwater Threshers.
Rubén Gotay | |
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![]() Gotay with the St. Louis Cardinals | |
Second baseman / Third baseman | |
Born: Río Piedras, Puerto Rico | December 25, 1982|
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
August 3, 2004, for the Kansas City Royals | |
Last appearance | |
September 28, 2008, for the Atlanta Braves | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .255 |
Home runs | 12 |
Runs batted in | 77 |
Teams | |
Professional career
editKansas City Royals
editGotay made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on August 4, 2004, when they played the Chicago White Sox. He went 1-for-3 and got his first major league hit off José Contreras.[1] Gotay played in 44 games for the Royals in 2004. He hit .270 with one home run and 16 RBI.[2] In 2005, Gotay made the Royals' opening day roster[1] and played in 86 major league games. He batted .227 with five home runs and 29 RBI.[2]
Gotay spent the entire 2006 season in the minor leagues.
New York Mets
editHe was traded to the New York Mets for prospect Jeff Keppinger on July 19, 2006.[3]
Gotay was designated for assignment by the Mets to make room on the 40-man roster for Chan Ho Park in February 2007.
Gotay cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Pacific Coast League on February 16, 2007[4] but was brought back to the major league club on April 30, 2007, after an injury to José Valentín. On May 9, 2007, Gotay hit his first home run as a Met off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Morris, the ball barely clearing the high right field wall at AT&T Park. On March 27, 2008, Gotay was placed on waivers by the Mets.
Atlanta Braves
editGotay was claimed off waivers from the Mets on March 28, 2008, and hit his first home run for Atlanta on June 21. Gotay occasionally pinch hit, but rarely started for the Braves.[citation needed]
Pittsburgh Pirates
editIn February 2009, Gotay signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Arizona Diamondbacks
editOn April 4, 2009, Gotay's contract was sold to the Arizona Diamondbacks and was assigned to Triple-A Reno. In November 2009 Gotay Filed For Free Agency.
St. Louis Cardinals
editOn November 30, 2009, Gotay signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals with an invitation to Spring training.
Florida Marlins
editOn December 2, 2010, Gotay signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins. He was later released by the Florida Marlins.
Return to Atlanta
editGotay signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on June 19, 2011.[5]
Toronto Blue Jays
editGotay was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays on March 14, 2012.
Cincinnati Reds
editGotay signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on December 18, 2013. He became a free agent after the 2014 season.
Saraperos de Saltillo
editOn April 3, 2015, Gotay signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on April 16, 2015. He signed with them again on April 1, 2016. He was released on April 7, 2016.
Long Island Ducks
editOn May 16, 2016, Gotay signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent after the 2016 season. He resigned on June 10, 2017.
Coaching career
editThe Philadelphia Phillies has hired him to be coach at their Single High A team Clearwater for 2018 season. He was hired as a coach for the Indianapolis Indians for the 2023 season.
Personal
editHis uncle is former major leaguer Julio Gotay. Gotay played little league in Fajardo Puerto Rico where his father Rubén Gotay was the head coach of the Pumas.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b mlb.com
- ^ a b baseball-reference.com
- ^ mlb.com
- ^ NJ Sports Ledger,
- ^ Links, Zach (June 19, 2011). "Minor Deals: Castillo, Vazquez, Gotay, Carter". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ baseball-reference.com
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet