Luis Muñoz (minors03)

Luis Manuel Munoz

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 194 lb.

• Born January 10, 1982 in San Pedro de Macoris D.R.

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Luis Munoz has pitched eight minor league seasons (through 2007) and joined the Pittsburgh Pirates 40-man roster after the 2007 campaign.

Munoz was signed by scout Jose Luna for Pittsburgh in 2000 and debuted the next year with the DSL Pirates, going 0-4 with a 4.33 ERA. In 2002, he went 3-2 with a save and a 3.38 ERA for the same team. The next season, Luis came stateside with the GCL Pirates and had a 2-1, 4.89 record. Munoz was 2-4 with a 4.57 ERA for the 2004 Williamsport Crosscutters, walking only 14 in 61 innings but allowing 80 hits. In 2005, the right-hander improved to 6-3, 3.81 with Williamsport. He split 2006 between the Lynchburg Hillcats (4-3, 3.82) and Hickory Crawdads (6-2, 3.28). 2007 was his best year yet - in his AA debut with the Altoona Curve, Munoz posted a 12-5, 3.63 record and twice was the Eastern League pitcher of the month; he walked 32 in 136 innings. He was promoted to the Indianapolis Indians and had a 2-1, 3.12 record there, though opponents hit .319. He led Pirates farmhands in wins and ERA (3.57) and was third with 105 strikeouts, four behind leader Jared Hughes. Munoz was 8th in the Eastern League in ERA, right ahead of Jeff Marquez, and was tied for third in wins, even with Dallas Trahern, Alan Horne and Chuck Lofgren and trailing Marquez and Eddie Bonine.

Munoz did not do as well in 2008. He started with the Indianapolis Indians but was 3-3 with a 5.09 ERA, earning a demotion to Altoona. He had a 1-2, 5.09 mark for Altoona as of July 10. He was then called up to the majors due to the poor state of Pirates pitching. Manager John Russell, in a non-endorsement, said "I would not anticipate Luis being here for an extended period of time. It was a step short of desperation." Munoz did not pitch in two games then was designated for assignment when Franquelis Osoria came off the disabled list. He was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners, who assigned him to the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.

Sources

• Altoona Curve website
• 2007 Pirates Media Guide
• 2008 Baseball Almanac