Jesus Flores #3

Jesus M. Flores ... graduated from Rafael Osio Perez High (VEN) ... grew up idolizing Ivan Rodriguez and Andres Galarraga.

2011

Returned to big leagues after missing all of '10 with a right shoulder injury ... enjoyed pair of stints with Washington ... almost 2 years after suffering right shoulder fracture on May 9, 2009, returned to Nationals with pinch-hit single off PHI's Cliff Lee, April 14 ... posted game-winning RBI with solo home run in a 3-1 win, Aug. 18 vs. CIN ... gunned down 4 of 20 (20%) would-be basestealers with the Nationals, including Jose Reyes, Willie Harris and Hanley Ramirez ... began '11 with Syracuse, batting .234 with 5 homers and 30 RBI in 56 games ... threw out 17 of 42 (40%) would-be Triple-A basestealers.

2010

Did not play while continuing rehab from September 16, 2009 right-labrum surgery...did, however, participate in the Nationals Instructional League in Sept. and October...hit .316 (6-for-19) with 2 doubles, a homer, 2 RBI and 2 walks.

2009

Played in just 29 contests, as season was cut short by lengthy DL stints for right shoulder contusion/fracture (May 10-September 4) and partially-torn right labrum (September 17-end of season)...in 26 games prior to first injury, batted .311 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers and 15 RBI...on-base and slugging percentage in that 26-game stand were .382 and .522, respectively...suffered right shoulder contusion when struck by a foul tip off the bat of Chris Young, May 9 at ARI...was later diagnosed with stress fracture in his throwing shoulder...after returning to the Nationals roster on September 4, he made 3 pinch-hitting appearances then was shut down with a torn labrum (right shoulder)...underwent surgery to repair the labrum on September 16, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL...defensively, threw out 4 of 15 (26.7%) would-be basestealers.
Game-By-Game Highlights: Capped scoring with tie-breaking 6th-inning RBI single in 3-2 win, April 20 vs. ATL... hit first career homer against initial organization, NYM, in the Nationals' first game at Citi Field, April 24 off Francisco Rodriguez...posted 3 hits, including game-winning 2-run shot, and 3 RBI in 8-1 win, April 26 at NYM...homered and gunned down potential tying run via a stolen-base attempt in a 5-4 win, May 8 at ARI. In Minor Leagues: While on big-league DL (right shoulder), registered 4 hits in 3 game rehab stint with Double-A Harrisburg from May 25-29.

2008

At the age of 23, turned in solid sophomore season, hitting .256 with 18 doubles, 8 home runs and 59 RBI in just 90 games...was MLB's youngest catcher to start at least 55 games behind the plate in 2008...did not play the season's final 22 games due to a left-ankle sprain sustained in home plate collision (caught stealing) with Chase Utley in 3rd inning on Sept. 2 vs. PHI...ranked 2nd in the NL (7th in MLB) by hitting .370 (34-for-92) with runners in scoring position... 7 game-winning RBI matched Elijah Dukes for the Nationals team lead...8 home runs doubled total from rookie campaign...the 59 RBI ranked 2nd among Nationals (Lastings Milledge, 61)...averaged an extra-base hit every 11.1 at-bats...gunned down 11 of 58 would-be basestealers (19%)...batted .327 in 32 games through June 14, but hit just .220 in 58 contests thereafter...hit .294 with runners on base...batted .312 in 28 games against NL East foes...led the Nationals in batting (.340) and OBP (.417) in May...began the season on Opening Day roster...was hitting .364 with 2 doubles, a homer and 3 RBI in 4 games upon being optioned to Columbus, April 13, for month-long stint in Triple-A.

2007

In big league debut, hit .244 (44-for-180) with 9 doubles, 4 homers and 25 RBI in 79 games (42 starts)...flashed offensive and defensive skills and numbers that suggest long-term big league future...started 42 games behind incumbent Brian Schneider...when starting behind the plate, Washington went 21-21...ranked 6th among MLB rookie catchers in RBI and 4th among the same group in games played...gunned down 11 of 38 (29%) would-be basestealers...went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, April 22 at FLA, to account for first hit and first RBI of big league career...the initial double came in the 7th inning off Wes Obermueller and also rendered the first 2 RBI...hit first big league homer on July 1 at PIT off Paul Maholm...became the 8th player to collect first big league homer while playing with the Washington Nationals...joined Tony Blanco, Brandon Watson, Rick Short, Ryan Zimmerman, Brandon Harper, Henry Mateo and Ramon Ortiz on the short list...batted .268 (41-for-153) when starting at catcher...hit safely in 27 of 42 starts (64%), including 25 of final 35 (71%)...hit safely in 10 straight starts, August 18-September 14, at a .349 (15-for-43) clip... batted .353 with 2 homers and 8 RBI in 13 July contests...hit .273 (24-for-88) in 38 games on the road...went just 3- for-22 (.136) with 5 walks in 27 pinch-hitting appearances.

2006

Was a mid-season Florida State League All-Star, and later earned the Sterling Award as the Most Valuable Player of the Single-A St. Lucie squad after hitting .266 with 32 doubles, 21 homers and 70 RBI in 120 games...entered season as NYM's No. 12 prospect per Baseball America...21 homers tied 2 other for the FSL lead...also ranked among FSL leaders in slugging percentage (3rd at .487) and extra-base hits (4th with 53)...earned FSL Player of the Week honors for period ending June 4 (9-for-21, 2 doubles, 3 homers, 9 RBI, 5 games)...played in the FSL mid-season All-Star Game...posted 25 RBI in 26 May contests...homered in 3 straight games May 30-June 2...had a pair of 2-homer games: August 10 at Dunedin and August 29 (G2) vs. Palm Beach...batted .471 (8-for-17) with 4 doubles and 2 RBI in 5 post-season games during St. Lucie's run to the FSL championship...played for Navegantes in the Venezuelan Winter League.

2005

Was limited to just 82 games with Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League after beginning the season on the Disabled List with a broken right thumb...was hit by a Tomo Ohka pitch in the 5th inning of the exhibition finale April 3 at RFK Stadium...despite the injury, threw out 40 percent of would-be base stealers after being activated from the DL on May 13...posted pro-high 5 RBI, August 12 at Greensboro...hit .366 during 10-game hitting streak, Aug. 15-26.

2004

In his first year of pro ball in the US, was a Gulf Coast League All-Star, and later earned the Sterling Award as the Most Valuable Player of the GCL Mets club.

2003

Hit .255 with 16 doubles, 4 homers and 32 RBI in 52 games with Tronconero of the Venezuelan Summer League.

2002

Batted .292 with 3 homers and 10 RBI in 19 games with Dominican Summer League Mets after beginning the year with Universidad of the Venezuelan Summer League...was signed by NYM as a non-drafted free agent March 12.