Juan Centeno
{{Short description|Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Juan Centeno
| image = Juan Centeno on June 8, 2015.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Centeno with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in {{Baseball year|2015}}
| team = Free agent
| number =
| position = Catcher
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|11|16}}
| birth_place = Arecibo, Puerto Rico
| bats = Left
| throws = Right
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate = September 18
| debutyear = 2013
| debutteam = New York Mets
| statyear = 2019 season
| statleague = MLB
| stat1label = Batting average
| stat1value = .223
| stat3label = Home runs
| stat3value = 6
| stat4label = Runs batted in
| stat4value = 37
| teams =
- New York Mets ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}})
- Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2015}})
- Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2016}})
- Houston Astros ({{mlby|2017}})
- Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2018}})
- Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2019}})
|awards=
- World Series champion ({{wsy|2017}})
|medaltemplates=
}}
Juan Carlos Centeno ({{IPAc-en|s|ɛ|n|ˈ|t|eɪ|n|oʊ}} {{respell|sen|TAY|noh}};[http://snymetsminors.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/vegas_2014_roster_march31_igbcrpag.pdf Las Vegas 51s 2014 roster.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132244/http://snymetsminors.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/vegas_2014_roster_march31_igbcrpag.pdf |date=2014-05-17 }} born November 16, 1989) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox.
Career
=New York Mets=
File:Juan Centeno (cropped).jpg
Centeno was selected in round 32 with the 991st pick of the 2007 MLB draft by the New York Mets. He received a $5,000 signing bonus. He was selected primarily because of his defensive qualities, as his batting capabilities were not the best.{{cite news|last=Rosa Rosa|first=Carlos|work=El Nuevo Día|lang=es|url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/deportes/beisbol/nota/suenaaltoelnombredejuancenteno-2262059/|title=Suena alto el nombre de Juan Centeno|date=November 13, 2016|accessdate=November 13, 2016}} Centeno began his professional career in 2007 with the Gulf Coast League Mets at the Rookie League league level
After the 2008 season, he played for Gigantes de Carolina of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC).
After the 2012 season, he played for Atenienses de Manatí of the LBPRC.
In 2013, Centeno advanced to the Triple-A level with the Las Vegas 51s. On September 9, 2013, Centeno was called up to the majors for the first time.{{cite tweet|user=Mets|author=New York Mets|number=376823980851609600|date=8 September 2013|title=Outfielder Mike Baxter, RHP Aaron Harang and catcher Juan Centeno will join the team in New York tomorrow.}} He made his major league debut on September 18 against the San Francisco Giants, going 2-for-4 with two singles, and his first major league RBI. For the 2013 season, Centeno appeared in four MLB games, batting .300 with one RBI. After the 2013 season, he played for Carolina of the LBPRC.
In 2014, he appeared in 10 MLB games, batting .200 with two RBIs. That season, Centeno also played in 74 minor league games, batting .289 with one home run and 25 RBIs.
After the 2014 season, he played for Senadores de San Juan of the LBPRC.
=Milwaukee Brewers=
On October 31, 2014, Centeno was selected off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.
In 2015, after catcher Jonathan Lucroy was injured, Centeno was called up to Milwaukee. From late April to late May, he appeared in 10 MLB games, batting .048 (1-for-21).{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=centeju01&t=b&year=2015 |title=Juan Centeno 2015 Batting Game Logs |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=August 31, 2019}} He was optioned to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox when Lucroy returned.{{cite web |url=http://m.brewers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2015/06 |title=Brewers Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=June 2015 |accessdate=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901025019/http://m.brewers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2015/06 |url-status=dead }} On November 2, Centeno was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Colorado Springs on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Outrighted: Schafer, Hellweg, Jimenez, Moreno, Santos|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/brewers-outright-logan-schafer-four-others.html|access-date=June 22, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 2, 2015 |language=en}} He was granted free agency on November 6.{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/C/Pcentj001.htm |title=Juan Centeno |website=Retrosheet |accessdate=August 31, 2019}} After the 2015 season, he played for Cangrejeros de Santurce and Criollos de Caguas of the LBPRC.
=Minnesota Twins=
Centeno signed with the Minnesota Twins on November 30, 2015.
In 2016, He served as the team's regular back-up catcher, appearing in 55 games with 192 plate appearances while batting .261 (46-for-176) with three home runs and 25 RBIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=centeju01&t=b&year=2016 |title=Juan Centeno 2016 Batting Game Logs |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=August 31, 2019}} He again became a free agent on November 23, 2016.
After the 2016 season, he played for Tiburones de Aguadilla of the LBPRC.
=Houston Astros=
On December 15, 2016, Centeno signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-dec-10-22-2/#RqTSwuaBayDGT0yV.97|title=Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10-22|last=Eddy|first=Matt|work=baseballamerica.com|date=December 24, 2016|accessdate=December 24, 2016}}
On May 23, 2017, Centeno appeared in his first game for the Astros against the Detroit Tigers, where he homered in his debut.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=centeju01&t=b&year=2017 |title=Juan Centeno 2017 Batting Game Logs |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=August 31, 2019}} In 22 games with the Astros in 2017, Centeno finished with a .231 batting average, two home runs, and four RBI. The Astros finished the season with a 101–61 record, and went on to win the World Series for the first time.{{cite web|last1=McTaggart|first1=Brian|last2=Gurnick|first2=Ken|title=Houston Astros win 2017 World Series|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-beat-dodgers-to-win-first-world-series-c260380704|publisher=MLB|access-date=November 2, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012212/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/260380704/astros-beat-dodgers-to-win-first-world-series/|url-status=live}} Centeno was on the Astros' roster through the postseason, but only appeared in one postseason game (Game 3 of the 2017 ALDS) and did not have a plate appearance.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=centeju01&t=b&post=1 |title=Juan Centeno Postseason Batting Game Log |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=August 31, 2019}}
=Texas Rangers=
Centeno was claimed off waivers on November 27, 2017, by the Texas Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/rangers-claim-juan-centeno-from-astros.html|title=Rangers Claim Juan Centeno From Astros|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 27, 2017|accessdate=November 27, 2017}}
Early in the 2018 season, he appeared in 10 games with the Rangers, batting .162 (6-for-37) with one home run and three RBIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=centeju01&t=b&year=2018 |title=Juan Centeno 2018 Batting Game Logs |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=August 31, 2019}} He was designated for assignment on May 3, and sent outright to the Triple-A Round Rock Express four days later.{{cite web |url=http://m.rangers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/05 |title=Rangers Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=May 2018 |accessdate=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901032230/http://m.rangers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/05 |url-status=dead }} He was granted free agency on October 1, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/10/players-electing-free-agency.html|title=Players Electing Free Agency|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=October 8, 2018|accessdate=October 9, 2018}}
After the 2018 season, he played for Indios de Mayagüez of the LBPRC.
=Boston Red Sox=
On November 13, 2018, Centeno signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox;{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/11 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |date=November 2018 |website=MLB.com |accessdate=June 5, 2019 |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605183102/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/11 |url-status=dead }} he was assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.{{cite web |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=518542 |title=Juan Centeno Stats, Highlights, Bio |website=MiLB.com |accessdate=June 5, 2019}}
On September 1, 2019, the Red Sox selected Centeno's contract, adding him to their active MLB roster.{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2019/09 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |date=September 2019 |website=MLB.com |accessdate=September 1, 2019 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901220726/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2019/09 |url-status=dead }} He played his first game with the Red Sox on September 11, appearing against the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=401076907 |title=Red Sox vs. Blue Jays - Box Score |website=ESPN |date=September 11, 2019 |accessdate=September 11, 2019}} Centeno appeared in seven games with the 2019 Red Sox, batting .133 with two RBI. Following the 2019 season, he was removed from Boston's 40-man roster and elected to become a free agent.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/red-sox-outright-juan-centeno.html |title=Red Sox Outright Juan Centeno |first=Jeff |last=Todd |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=November 4, 2019 |accessdate=November 9, 2019}}{{cite tweet |user=RedSox |number=1191449534649511936 |title=Catcher Juan Centeno was outrighted from the major league roster. He has elected free agency. |date=November 4, 2019 |accessdate=November 9, 2019}}
After the 2019 season, he played for Atenienses de Manatí of the LBPRC.
On January 23, 2020, Centeno re-signed with the Red Sox on a minor league contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2020/1/23/21079385/boston-red-sox-juan-centeno-contract |title=Red Sox sign Juan Centeno to minor-league deal |first=Matt |last=Collins |website=overthemonster.com |date=January 23, 2020 |accessdate=February 11, 2020}} He was later announced as a non-roster invitee to Red Sox spring training,{{cite tweet |user=RedSox |number=1227223514987581440 |title=The #RedSox have added five non-roster invitees to the team's 2020 Spring Training roster |date=February 11, 2020 |accessdate=February 11, 2020}} but did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/full-list-of-2020-2021-milb-free-agents/|access-date=September 18, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}} Centeno became a minor league free agent on November 2.{{cite news |url=https://bloggingtheredsox.com/2020/11/02/former-red-sox-utilityman-tzu-wei-lin-is-now-a-minor-league-free-agent/ |title=Former Red Sox utilityman Tzu-Wei Lin is now a minor-league free agent |first=Brendan |last=Campbell |website=bloggingtheredsox.com |date=November 2, 2020 |accessdate=November 3, 2020}}
=Detroit Tigers=
On April 15, 2021, Centeno signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/#month=4&year=2021|title=Major League Baseball Transactions}} Centeno began the 2021 season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. After only five games, hitting .316 with one home run and four RBI, he was promoted to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Centeno played in 53 games for Triple-A Toledo, hitting .277 with one home run and 17 RBI. He became a free agent following the season.
=Arizona Diamondbacks=
On January 25, 2022, Centeno signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite news|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/01/diamondbacks-sign-juan-centeno-catcher.html|title=Diamondbacks Sign Juan Centeno To Minor League Deal|date=January 25, 2022|accessdate=January 25, 2022}} He split the season between the Double–A Amarillo Sod Poodles and Triple–A Reno Aces, slashing .305/.355/.512 with 15 home runs and 67 RBI in 91 combined appearances.
In 2023, Centeno spent the entire year with Amarillo, playing in 68 games and hitting .271/.324/.327 with one home run, 23 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=November 27, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}
=Saraperos de Saltillo=
On November 23, 2023, Centeno signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 23 de noviembre de 2023|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/leones-refuerzos-melenudos|access-date=November 27, 2023|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 44 games for Saltillo in 2024, he batted .347/.438/.438 with one home run and 22 RBI. Centeno was released by the Saraperos on July 24, 2024.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 24 de julio de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-24-de-julio-de-2024|access-date=July 25, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}
Personal life
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Baseballstats|mlb=518542 |espn=31443 |br=c/centeju01 |fangraphs=7168|brm=centen002jua |retro=C/Pcentj001}}
{{2017 Houston Astros}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Centeno, Juan}}
Category:Amarillo Sod Poodles players
Category:Atenienses de Manatí (baseball) players
Category:Binghamton Mets players
Category:Boston Red Sox players
Category:Brooklyn Cyclones players
Category:Cangrejeros de Santurce (baseball) players
Category:Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
Category:Criollos de Caguas players
Category:Erie SeaWolves players
Category:Fresno Grizzlies players
Category:Gigantes de Carolina (baseball) players
Category:Gulf Coast Mets players
Category:Houston Astros players
Category:Indios de Mayagüez players
Category:Las Vegas 51s players
Category:Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente catchers
Category:Major League Baseball catchers
Category:Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico
Category:Milwaukee Brewers players
Category:Minnesota Twins players
Category:New York Mets players
Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players
Category:People from Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Category:Peoria Javelinas players
Category:Puerto Rican expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Category:Rochester Red Wings players
Category:Round Rock Express players
Category:Saraperos de Saltillo players
Category:Senadores de San Juan players
Category:St. Lucie Mets players
Category:Texas Rangers players