Mike Napoli

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**Mike Napoli**
Image:Mikenapoli.jpg
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — No. 44
Catcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
May 4, 2006 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Selected MLB statistics (through October 1, 2006)
Batting Average	.228
OPS	.815
Home runs	16
RBI's	42

Michael Anthony "Mike" Napoli (b. October 31, 1981 in Hollywood, Florida) is a Major League Baseball catcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He was drafted out of high school by the Anaheim Angels during the 17th round (500th overall) in 2000.

Napoli began his professional career with the rookie-level Butte Copper Kings, but sat out most of the year after suffering a lower back strain. He returned to the diamond in 2001 with the high-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes before transferring to single-A Cedar Rapids. In 2002, he returned to Cedar Rapids, hitting .251 with 10 HRs and 50 RBIs as the Kernels' primary designated hitter. He also started at catcher for 37 games. After being transferred to Rancho Cucamonga in 2003, Napoli only played 47 games after injuring his right shoulder.

2004 was Napoli's breakout year with the Quakes. His offensive production exploded, as he hit .282 with 29 HRs and 118 RBIs, ranking seventh in RBIs and ninth in walks in all of the minor leagues. In 2005, Napoli was promoted to double-A Arkansas, finishing second in the league with extra-base hits and fifth in runs scored.

Although Napoli was considered a top prospect in baseball, he was behind Angels prospect Jeff Mathis to start the 2006 season, especially considering the latter's defensive prowess. Mathis struggled during his 23-game stint at the major league level, allowing Napoli to make the active roster for the Angels. With solid offensive and defensive numbers, Napoli has worked his way to become the Angels' regular starting catcher.

[edit] Trivia

On May 4, 2006, versus the Detroit Tigers, Mike became the third player in Angels history to hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat.
On July 1, 2006, Napoli had his first two-homerun game, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first came off Mark Hendrickson, and the second off Hong-Chih Kuo.
Played for the Santiago "Las Aguilas" in the Dominican Republic during the winters of 2004 and 2005.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Coaching Staff	Manager: Mike Scioscia • Bench: Ron Roenicke • Pitching: Mike Butcher • Hitting: Mickey Hatcher • Bullpen: Orlando Mercado • First Base: Alfredo Griffin • Third Base: Dino Ebel
Rotation	John Lackey • Ervin Santana • Joe Saunders • Kelvim Escobar • Jered Weaver
Bullpen	Héctor Carrasco • Greg Jones • Darren Oliver • Francisco Rodríguez • Scot Shields • Justin Speier
Catchers	Jeff Mathis • José Molina • Mike Napoli
Infielders	Orlando Cabrera • Chone Figgins • Shea Hillenbrand • Maicer Izturis • Howie Kendrick • Casey Kotchman
Outfielders	Robb Quinlan • Garret Anderson • Tommy Murphy • Vladimir Guerrero • Gary Matthews, Jr. • Reggie Willits
Disabled List:	Bartolo Colón • Juan Rivera