José Vidro
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| Seattle Mariners — No. 5 | |
| Designated Hitter | |
| Bats: Switch | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| June 8, 1997 for the Montreal Expos | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through October 2, 2006) |
|
| Batting average | .301 |
| Home runs | 115 |
| Runs batted in | 550 |
| Former teams | |
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José Vidro (born August 27, 1974 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball player who is currently the designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners. He is a switch hitter, going for average from the left and for power from the right. He throws right-handed. On December 13, 2006, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners.
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[edit] Background
Vidro was drafted in the sixth round of the 1992 amateur draft. Working his way through the minor leagues, he made his major league debut on June 8, 1997. He continued to be a fill-in starter and play irregularly through both the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
Playing for the most part as a backup third baseman in 1997 (his first season), Vidro was moved to his more natural second base position for the 1998 season and on. When he finally got a good amount of starts and was allowed to play everyday, he shined, finishing with a .304 batting average to along with 12 home runs and 59 RBI. Vidro has been known for his low number of strikeouts per at bats, twice (1999 and 2003) being in the top 10 in the National League, and never striking out more than 70 times in a season.
[edit] Professional career
Following his breakout in 1999, Vidro followed up with a great 2000 season in which he earned his first All-Star team honor. He placed seventh in the National League in batting with a .330 average and connected on 24 home runs, 51 doubles, and 200 overall hits. He also made himself into a consistent fielder with above average fielding skills and average fielding range.
Vidro continued to produce over the seasons, earning All-Star selections in 2002 and 2003, continuing to bring in a good bat with solid fielding. Vidro set career highs in walks and OBP in 2003, providing much of the Expos offense after the departure of Vladimir Guerrero.
Due to injuries to his right knee, ankle and quadriceps muscle, Vidro only played in 87 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005, of which 8 were as a pinch-hitter. Vidro had had surgery on his right knee in September 2004, and opted against a second surgery in the 2005 off-season.
In an eight-year career, Vidro is a .302 hitter with a .364 on-base percentage, 108 home runs and 503 RBI in 1060 games.
On December 14, 2006 the Nationals acquired OF Chris Snelling and pitcher Emiliano Fruto from the Mariners for Vidro[1].
[edit] World Baseball Classic
Vidro did not play in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico due to his ailing knee.
