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Guillermo Zuñiga

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Not to be confused with Guillermo Zúñiga Martínez.
Guillermo Zuñiga
Zuniga with the Angels in 2024
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1998-10-10) October 10, 1998 (age 26)
Cartagena, Colombia
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 2, 2023, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average5.03
Strikeouts16
Teams

Guillermo "Guillo" Enrique Zuñiga (zoon-YEE-gah; born October 10, 1998) is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels.

Professional career

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Atlanta Braves

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Zuñiga signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent on July 2, 2016.[1] He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Braves, posting a 2.61 ERA in five games. In 2017, Zuñiga pitched in eight games (starting six) for the rookie-level Gulf Coast Braves, registering an 0–3 record and 5.59 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 19.1 innings of work.

On October 2, 2017, Braves general manager John Coppolella and international scouting director Gordon Blakely resigned after an MLB investigation into their activities discovered several rules violations regarding international signings.[2] On November 21, MLB ordered that Zuñiga and several other players were released from their contracts and declared to be free agents.[3]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On December 6, 2017, Zuñiga signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.[4] He spent the 2018 season with the rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, logging a 3–1 record and 3.86 ERA with 41 strikeouts across 12 games (two starts).[5] In 2019, Zuñiga split time between the Single-A Great Lakes Loons and High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, pitching in 33 games and posting a cumulative 4–3 record and 4.08 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 5 saves in 68.1 innings of work. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

In 2021, Zuñiga made 25 appearances for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, pitching to a 7–2 record and 3.06 ERA with 49 strikeouts and two saves in 35.1 innings of work.[7] He returned to Tulsa the following year, pitching in 48 games and registering a 4–4 record and 4.77 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 11 saves in 54.2 innings pitched.[8] He elected free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.[9]

St. Louis Cardinals

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On December 6, 2022, Zuñiga signed a major league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[10] The Cardinals optioned Zuñiga to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds to begin the 2023 season.[11] He made 9 appearances for Memphis, registering a 5.40 ERA with nine strikeouts and three saves in 8+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 2, 2023, Zuñiga was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[12] On May 2, Zuñiga debuted against the Los Angeles Angels, retiring Chad Wallach, Zach Neto, and Mike Trout in order. Additionally, Wallach and Trout served as his first career strikeouts.[13] On August 27, Zuńiga was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain.[14] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on September 2, ending his season. In only two appearances for St. Louis, he recorded a 4.50 ERA with four strikeouts in two innings of work.[15] Zuñiga was designated for assignment on February 3, 2024.[16]

Los Angeles Angels

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On February 7, 2024, the Los Angeles Angels acquired Zuñiga from the Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations.[17] In 15 games for Los Angeles, he compiled a 5.09 ERA with 12 strikeouts and 2 saves across 17+2⁄3 innings pitched. Zuñiga was designated for assignment by the Angels on November 12, in order to clear roster space for Travis d'Arnaud.[18] He was released by the Angels organization on November 15.[19]

International career

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Zuñiga played for the Colombian national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[20] Over two appearances and three innings pitched, he did not allow a run and led the team in strikeouts, with six.[21] Zuñiga also earned the win over Mexico, allowing a double to Austin Barnes but striking out Jonathan Aranda and Alex Verdugo.

References

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  1. ^ "Guillermo Zuniga Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  2. ^ Oz, Mike (October 2, 2017). "Braves GM John Coppolella quits suddenly amid MLB investigation". yahoo.com. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  3. ^ "Braves to Lose Draft Pick, Release 12 Minor Leaguers for Rule Violation". syndication.bleacherreport.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "Dodgers reportedly sign former Braves minor league RHP Guillermo Zuniga". truebluela.com. December 7, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "Cards sign Minor League RHP Zuniga". MLB.com.
  6. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  7. ^ "Guillermo Zuniga: Big Dodger". dodgersdaily.net. March 24, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  8. ^ "Former Dodgers Prospect Guillermo Zuñiga Was Considered 'Top Minor League Free Agent'". yardbarker.com. March 16, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  9. ^ "2022–23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Guerrero, Daniel (December 6, 2022). "Cardinals sign 24-year-old righty Guillermo Zuniga to major-league deal". STLtoday.com.
  11. ^ "Cardinals' Guillermo Zuniga: Sent to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  12. ^ "Cardinals' Guillermo Zuniga: Recalled from Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  13. ^ "Cardinals Flamethrower Guillermo Zuñiga Shines In Debut Shortly After WBC Stardom". draysbay.com. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "Cardinals' Guillermo Zuñiga: Placed on 15-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "Cardinals Claim Michael Siani From Reds". mlbtraderumors.com. September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  16. ^ "Cardinals Designate Guillermo Zuniga for Assignment". February 3, 2024.
  17. ^ "Angels' Guillermo Zuniga: Headed to Anaheim". CBSSports.com. February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Angels Sign Travis d'Arnaud To Two-Year Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  19. ^ "Angels Release Guillo Zuñiga". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  20. ^ "Colombia's Guillermo Zuñiga shines in a World Baseball Classic David vs. Goliath moment". March 12, 2023.
  21. ^ "Pitching Stats - Colombia". MLB.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
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