Carlos Muñoz (Panama)

Carlos Andres Muñoz Gonzalez (Trompito)

• Bats Right, Throws Right

• Born October 16, 1979

Carlos Muñoz has been a catcher for the Panamanian national team on and off for several years.

Muñoz helped Panama to a Silver Medal in the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games. He was a star performer in the 2002 Intercontinental Cup, when he went 13 for 26 with 7 doubles, a homer, 6 runs and 7 RBI in 7 games to lead Panama to a Bronze (later revoked when Earl Agnoly, Jorge Cortez, Roberto Kelly and Roberto Gutierrez tested positive for banned substances). Muñoz outhit all 3 major leaguers on Panama (Kelly, Orlando Miller and Sherman Obando). He led the Cup in average, .043 ahead of Michel Enríquez. He was the lone Panamanian named to the All-Tournament team, chosen at catcher ahead of Ronny Paulino and Ariel Pestano most notably.

Carlos signed with Saim Rho in Italy in 2004, the club's lone year in Serie A1. He was one of their bright spots (along with Jaime Jaen, a fellow Panamanian), leading them with 27 RBI in 52 games; he hit .258/.300/.359 in his season in Italy.

In the 2005 Baseball World Cup, Muñoz batted .314/.375/.457 with 5 doubles in 11 games but had 4 passed balls. He went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and 2 RBI in the Bronze Medal game as Panama beat the host Netherlands 7-6.

Carlos had one plate appearance in the 2006 World Baseball Classic; in the 5th inning of Shairon Martis's no-hit gem, he pinch-hit for Damaso Espino and grounded out to first base. He was just 1 for 12 with a walk in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games. He then played for Panama in the 2006 COPABE Olympic qualifier, going 1 for 4 as the backup to Cesar Ivan Quintero.

After not playing for Panama in 2007, he hit only .158/.158/.263 in the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup as the backup to César Quintero.

He is on Panama's preliminary roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Sources

• IBAF
• Sportsline
• Italian Baseball and Softball Federation
• 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games