Curve Cuts: 9th professional season. Received a non-roster invitation to Pirates' major league spring training after signing as a minor league free agent in 2007. Signed out of Venezuela by Cincinnati at the age of 17 and spent seven season in the Reds' system thru 2007. Reached the major leagues in 2005, appearing in two games for the Reds that September. Rated by Baseball America as the "Best Defensive Catcher" in the Cincinnati organization each season from 2005-2007.
2007 Season: Rated by Baseball America  as the "Best Defensive Catcher" in the Reds system prior to the season. Received a non-roster invitation to Reds' major league spring training, but was unable to participate while recovering from off-season surgery to remove a rib in order to relieve pressure on an artery which was causing a blood clot.  Missed the first half of the minor league regular season and saw his first game action of the season with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Reds on 6/19 and went to hit a combined .322 with eight homers and 25 RBI in 42 games between the GCL Reds, Sarasota (A) and Chattanooga (AA). Tossed out 12-53 (22.6%) potential base stealers between the three clubs. Played in four games with the GCL Reds, going 5-12 (.417) with one homer and three RBI before being promoted to Sarasota in the Florida State League on 6/28. Batted .324 (35-108) with four home runs and 18 RBI with Sarasota. Went 4-4 on 7/20 vs. Fort Myers. Had a second four hit contest and added a homer and four RBI on 7/31 vs. Tampa. Sent to Chattanooga on 8/14 and appeared in eight games, hitting .269 (7-26) with three homers and four RBI. Homered twice in his first game with Chatanooga on 8/15 vs. Tennessee. Briefly appeared for Aragua of the Venzuelan Winter League, going 0-2 in three games.
2006 Season: Member of the Reds' 40 man roster for the second consecutive season. Rated by Baseball America as the Reds' #7 prospect as well as the organizations "Best Defensive Catcher". Spent entire season with Chattanooga (AA), hitting .241 with three home runs and 33 RBI in a career-high 111 games. Led Southern League catchers in games played (107), errors (14), total chances (952), putouts (864) and double plays (14). Tossed out nearly 41% of would be base stealers for the Lookouts (45-111). Was non-tendered by the Reds on 12/23, but that same day signed a 2007 minor league contract with Cincinnati.
2005 Season: Member of the Reds' 40 man roster.  Rated by Baseball America  as the "Best Defensive Catcher" in the Reds system. Spent the minor league season with Sarasota (A) and Louisville (AAA) while also appearing in two games for Cincinnati in September. In 101 games for the FSL Reds and Bats combined to hit .256 with five home runs and 38 RBI. Seclected to play in the FSL All-Star Game. On 8/9 was promoted to Louisville and finsihed his minor league season there, hitting .208 (15-72) with one homer and five RBI. On 8/18 vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hit a 454 foot homer, his first Triple A home run and the ninth longest in Louisville Slugger Field history. Was recalled by Cincinnati on 9/5 and saw action in two games, going 0-3 at the plate. at 21 years old made his MLB debut and flew out to center in his first at-bat on 9/7 vs. Milwaukee. Caught the final two innings of the 9/7 contest, his only action behind the plate with Cincinnati. Made only other appearance with the Reds on 9/28 at Milawaukee, going 0-1 as a pinch hitter. Following the season played in 24 games for the Arague in the Venezuelan Winter League, batting .267 with six RBI.
2004 Season: Attended Reds' spring training as a non-roster invitee. In 92 games at Dayton (A) and Potomac (A) combined to hit .236 with one home run and 27 RBI. Began the season in Dayton and appeared in 74 games there before he was promoted to the Carolina League on 8/11. Following the season played in 10 games for Arague of the Venezuelan Winter League, hitting .208. Was added to the Reds' 40-man roster 11/19.
2003 Season: Combined to hit .305 with one homer and 28 RBI in 80 games at Dayton (A) and rookie-level Billings. Began the season at Dayton, where in 20 games he hit .172 with three RBI. Joined Billings when he came off the D.L. and in 60 games hit .339 with one homer and 25 RBI to help the Mustangs to the Pioneer League Championship. Finished the short season ranked 7th in the league in batting average. Recorded a season-high 15 game hitting streak from 7/6-7/23 (25-54, .463, 13 RBI). Had a 14 game hitting streak from 8/19-9/4 (21-59, .356).
2002 Season: Hit .278 with two homers and 29 RBI in 60 combined games between the Venezuelan Summer League Reds and the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Reds.
2001 Season: In his first professional season, hit .331 with 19 RBI in 48 games with the Venezuelan Summer League Reds. Played third base during the season.
ACQUIRED:
Signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent, 12/20/07