Eliezer Alfonzo #50

Eliezer (eh-lee-AYE-zer) Jesus Alfonzo (al-FON-zoe)...resides in Anzoategui, VZ during the off-season with wife, Patricia, and three sons: Jordan, Eliezer and Omar...originally signed by St. Louis as a non-drafted free agent on July 13, 1996.

2010

Began the season with Triple-A Tacoma after being signed to a minor league contract by the Mariners on 12/14/09...played the first two months with Tacoma as the everyday catcher before being recalled on 5/28...hit .220 (9-for-41) in 13 games for the Mariners before being designated for assignment on 6/29...was outrighted the next day and spent the remainder of the season at Tacoma...played for Anzoategui in the Venezuela Winter League.

2009

Played in 37 games for San Diego...spent most of season with Portland (AAA) in the Pacific Coast League...appeared in 55 games at Portland (C - 53, DH - 2)...caught in 30 games for the Padres (28 GS)...threw out 9 of 24 attempted base stealers (37.5%)...had contract selected from Portland on June 19...hit safely in 10 of first 13 games with the Padres...played for Anzoategui in the Venezuela Winter League (.244, 7 HR, 29 RBI).

2008

Played at 4 levels in the Giants organization...appeared in just 5 games with the Giants, going 1-for-11...on Major League Baseball suspended list April 30-June 22 (50 games)...hit .321 (68x212) with 18 doubles, 8 home runs, 45 RBI and .528 SLG% in 56 minor league games.

2007

Made Opening Day roster for 1st time in career, serving as backup catcher to Bengie Molina...however, suffered left knee sprain and tore posterior cruciate ligament in home plate collision June 8...had arthroscopic surgery on knee June 19, and did not return to big leagues until Sept. 4...appeared in 26 ML games, making 12 starts (all at C)...guided SF hurlers to 3.54 ERA (48er, 122.0ip) in 17 games behind plate...was batting at .260 clip (13-for-50) with 1 HR and 5 RBI in 21 contests before injury, including .333 mark (13-for-39) with 2B, 3B, HR and 5 RBI over his last 15 games...suffered injury when Oakland's Donnie Murphy barreled into him in 10th inning June 8, as he held onto ball for 2nd out of inning in tied contest...was originally on 15- Day Disabled List, before being transferred to 60-Day DL June 18...made rehab assigments with rookie-league Arizona and triple-A Fresno in early August, before being activated and optioned to Fresno Aug. 21...batted .297 (19-for-64) with 6 2Bs, 3 HRs and 10 RBI in 18 games with Grizzlies (1st 8 as part of rehab assignment)...appeared in 5 games for Giants in Sept. (3 starts), going 3- for-14 (.214) with 1 RBI...played for Caribes de Anzoategui in Venezuelan Winter League and was named circuit's MVP after hitting 15 HRs with 47 RBI in 53 games...also added 7 HRs and 16 RBI in 14 playoff games.

2006

Was recalled from double-A Connecticut June 2 when Mike Matheny landed on Disabled List with concussion, and proceeded to hit .266 with 17 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 12 HRs, 39 RBI and .465 slugging pct. in 87 games...started 80 of 108 contests after joining SF, becoming club's primary catcher as Matheny was unable to return...was at his best in clutch, batting .296 (21-for-71) with RISP...hit at .314 clip (11-for-35) with RISP and 2 outs...guided pitching staff to 4.43 ERA (345er, 700.1ip) in 84 contests overall behind plate...in fact, caught Jason Schmidt's 16-strikeout game June 6 vs. Florida, both of Matt Morris' complete games and Matt Cain's 1-hit, 8.0-inning effort June 19 vs. LAA...belted 2-run HR in ML debut June 3 at New York (off Orlando Hernandez), 6th-inning shot in 1st game of DH that proved game-winner in SF's 6-4 triumph...became 1st Giant to homer in ML debut since Randy Kutcher did so June 19, 1986 at SD...also became 1st Giant to homer for initial ML hit since Damon Minor Sept. 10, 2000 vs. San Diego, and 1st SF player to make big league debut as starting catcher since Marcus Jensen April 14, 1996 vs. Cubs...collected pair of multi-HR games, going deep twice July 6 in Colorado and July 27 at Washington...played for Caribes de Oriente in Venezuelan Winter League.

2005

Played at 3 top rungs of Giants organizational ladder during 1st year in system, seeing action for single-A San Jose, double-A Norwich and triple-A Fresno...clubbed career-high 23 HRs to tie for 2nd most by SF farmhands, while his .334 avg. (129-for-386) was 5th...in 106 overall contests, drove in career-best 79 runs...was named to Cal League In-Season All Star team after hitting .357 with 13 HRs and 45 RBI for eventual league champion San Jose...made triple-A debut with 4-game Sept. cameo for Fresno...played with Oriente in Venezuela Winter League following campaign.

2004

Was selected to Florida State League All-Star team during lone campaign in Marlins organization... batted .281 with 112 hits, 18 HRs and 70 RBI in 105 games for single-A Jupiter.

2003

Signed minor league deal with Cubs over winter, but was released March 29...signed with St. Paul of independent Northern League in May...batted .300 with 15 2Bs, 9 HRs and 46 RBI in 68 games with Saints.

2002

Logged final year in Milwaukee chain, splitting time with Class A Advanced High Desert and Double-A Huntsville...was .349 hitter in 12 games in California League, then batted .258 with 7 HRs and 38 RBI in Southern League.

2001

Set career high with 28 2Bs for single-A Beloit, batting .277 with 14 HRs and 48 RBI in 106 games.

2000

Began year at single-A Peoria in St. Louis chain, but was dealt to Milwaukee June 13 to complete off-season trade that sent Fernando Vina to Cardinals...spent remainder of campaign at Beloit...combined for 26 2Bs, 10 HRs and 48 RBI in 109 contests.

1999

Earned New York-Penn League All-Star honors after batting .326 in 46 outings for single-A New Jersey.

1998

Played in 46 games at New Jersey.

1997

Was converted to catcher and batted .275 in 38 contests for rookie-level Johnson City.

1996

Made professional debut as 3rd baseman for St. Louis' affiliate in Dominican Summer League...batted .325 in 24 games.