| Angel Villalona | |
|---|---|
| San Francisco Giants – No. -- | |
| First basemen | |
| Born: August 13, 1990 La Romana, Dominican Republic |
|
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
Angel Miguel Villalona (born August 13, 1990 in La Romana, Dominican Republic) is a first baseman in the San Francisco Giants organization.
He had been rated by many baseball websites as the Giants #1 prospect.[1][2] He was a suspect in the killing of a 25-year-old man in the Dominican Republic.[3]
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In August 2006, the Giants signed Villalona with a club-record $2.1 million signing bonus.[4]
In 2007, the Giants assigned him to Extended Spring Training with the idea of sending him to Rookie Ball or Short-Season Ball later in the minor league season. He was then assigned to the AZL Giants of the Rookie Arizona League as a 3rd baseman, hitting .264 and with an OPS in excess of .800 through July 30, 2007.
Villalona played 2008 with the Augusta GreenJackets and was named to the 2008 All-Star Futures Game. He played the year with the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants.
On November 19, 2011, Villalona was added to the Giants' 40-man roster.[5]
On September 20, 2009, it was announced by the police in the Dominican Republic that Villalona was a suspect in the murder of Mario Felix de Jesus Velete. Villalona turned himself in and could face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.[6]
The San Francisco Chronicle soon had an article profiling Villalona, his life, and this incident. It gave a detailed picture of life in the Dominican and for prospects like Villalona who make big money. It also offered details into the charges and what was known at that time about the murder.[7]
In November 2009, Villalona was released on bond, but still faced murder charges. The victim's family asked a judge to drop the case, prompting Villalona's release, which appears related to a reported monetary settlement of approximately $139,000 that Villalona reached with the deceased's family. Villalona would have stayed in jail awaiting the former charges without the settlement. The prosecutor, however, still planned to prosecute Villalona.[8]
Villalona appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on April 27, 2010 to determine if the case will go to trial. Villalona has been free on bond since the settlement, but his U.S. visa has been subsequently revoked.[9]
Charges against Villalona were dropped.[10]