From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pedro Julio Feliz (born April 27, 1975) is a Dominican
Major League Baseball third baseman for
the Houston
Astros. Feliz has hit 20 or more home runs in four of his first five seasons as
a starting third
baseman and is an above average fielder at third base.[1]
He spent the first eight years of his major league career with the
San
Francisco Giants (2000 through 2007) before signing a free
agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in
2008.
Career
Minor League
Career
Feliz was signed by the San Francisco Giants[2]
as an amateur free agent on February 7, 1994. He spent parts of
seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants' farm system before being
called up to the Giants when the rosters expanded in September
2000[3].
San
Francisco Giants
Feliz played for the Giants from 2000 to 2007, and was their only homegrown
position player from 2002 through 2007.[1]
After a few seasons coming off the bench and starting occasionally,
a number of injuries on the Giants gave Feliz the opportunity to
become a regular player in 2004. He filled in for regular Edgardo Alfonzo
for 51 games at third base, played 70 games for the injured J. T. Snow at first base,
appeared in 20 at shortstop and four in the outfield. With the bat, Feliz posted career
highs in batting
average (.276), home
runs (22), RBI (84), at bats (603), and games played (144).
Feliz has been moved around defensively throughout his career,
especially during the Giants' injury-riddled 2005 season.
By 2007, he had settled into the role of the Giants' starting third
baseman.
Although Feliz is a decent power hitter, his career batting
average prior to the 2006 season was only .255, and he
draws few walks, having never posted an on-base
percentage above .305 or an OPS above .793. He has often been
criticized for his lack of patience at the plate.[1]
In 2006,
he struck out a career-high 112 times.
On June 8, 2007, in a game against the Oakland
Athletics, Feliz played catcher for the first time in his major league
career. During that game, the Giants' starting catcher Bengie Molina left
on a double switch. Their backup catcher, Eliézer
Alfonzo, was injured on a play at the plate and had to leave
the game in the 10th inning. With the Giants out of position
players, Feliz moved to catcher, Randy Winn moved from center field to
third, Dan Ortmeier moved from right field to
center, and pitcher Noah
Lowry came into the game in right.
He was seeking a 3-year contract extension with the Giants
following the conclusion of his contract after the 2007 season, but
the Giants decided against such an offer. Feliz declined salary
arbitration and filed for free agency.[4]
Philadelphia Phillies
On January 31, 2008, Feliz signed a two year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.[5] The
Giants offered Feliz more guaranteed money, but Feliz felt
alienated by the Giants demeanor during negotiations. In 2008,
struggling with an inflamed lower back, Feliz's power declined from
previous seasons [6], but he
delivered one of the most important base hits in Phillies' history
when he batted in Eric Bruntlett to score the winning run
for the Phillies in their Game 5 World Series clinching win over
the Tampa Bay
Rays.[7]
On November 8, 2009, Philadelphia management declined Feliz'
option for the 2010 season.[8]
Houston
Astros
On December 10, Feliz signed a $4.5 million, 1-year deal with
the Houston
Astros.[9]
Family
Feliz and his wife Niurka Mateo were married in December 2002.
They have 3 daughters: Isa, Helen and Heidi[10]
See also
References
External
links
| Houston Astros current
roster |
|
| 40-man roster |
|
|
| Inactive roster |
|
|
| Disabled list |
|
|
| Coaching Staff |
|
|
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