Guillermo Valenzuela

Guillermo Valenzuela Ramirez

• Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.

• Born February 19, 1962 in Ahome, Sinaloa Mexico
• Died January 20, 2014

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Guillermo Valenzuela was the last pitcher to lead the Mexican Center League in wins. He pitched 8 seasons in the Mexican League, the same number of his brother Humberto Valenzuela.

Valenzuela debuted in 1977 with Jalisco, going 5-7 with a 5.06 ERA at age 15. He improved to 12-4, 1.68 with La Barca in 1979 to help them win the MCL title. He led the MCL in wins in its last season of play, tied for the lead in complete games (11) and was 8th in ERA. His 84 strikeouts were second, 7 behind another Valenzuela, Fernando Valenzuela, who would go on to bigger things. Gullermo's brother Humberto had led the MCL in ERA six years earlier. Guillermo made his Mexican League debut in 1979 and was 3-3 with four saves and a 5.44 ERA for the Alacranes de Durango.

After a couple years off, Guillermo returned with the 1982 Broncos de Reynosa, going 8-9 with a save and a 4,38 ERA, He spent 1983 in the Toronto Blue Jays system, splitting time between the Kinston Blue Jays (3 R in 6 2/3 IP) and Knoxville Blue Jays (0-1, 4.48 in 28 G). He played in 1984 for Kinston (11-4, Sv, 3.61) and the Bravos de León (2-2, 5.96). He was 7th in the Carolina League in ERA as Kinston's top starter. In 1985, he ended his US career with a 3.79 ERA and no decisions for Knoxville, while going 7-8 with a save and a 4.24 ERA for the Bravos.

The Sinaloa native remained with the Bravos de León in 1986 (8-10, Sv, 5.27, 38 BB in 169 IP) and 1987 (0-1, 6.48). In 1988, the right-hander fell to 4-13, 4.59 for the Ganaderos de Tabasco. He wrapped up in 1989 by going 2-4 with a 8.36 ERA between Tabasco and the Industriales de Monterrey.

Overall, Guillermo was 32-50 with 7 saves and a 5.05 ERA in 152 Mexican League games, 11-6 in the US minors and 17-11 in the Mexican Center League for a composite pro record of 60-67.

Sources

• 1978-1989 Baseball Guides
• The Mexican League: Comprehensive Player Statistics by Pedro Treto Cisneros