Joel Galarraga

Joel (Ruiz) Galarraga

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
• Born March 20, 1982 in La Habana Cuba

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Catcher Joel Galarraga played for Industriales of the Cuban National Series before defecting to Mexico. After playing one year in the Mexican League, Galarraga was sold to the Oakland Athletics. His catching abilities received rave reviews in his first Major League spring training in 2009 and came close to making the team, but and was assigned to AAA Sacramento. He played well, accumulating averages of .357/.449/.476 before an injury ended his season after playing in only 13 games. 2010 was spent in the lower minor leagues, still in the A's system, where he hit only .205/.284/.231. He began 2011 back in the Mexican minors, with the Petroleros de Minatitlan