Manny Banuelos is looking to make his way into the big leagues again. Banuelos is a pitcher who has been getting lots of attention with his spring training performances. Here is his story.
Banuelos’ Minor League Career and First Shot at the Majors
Banuelos was born in Mexico, dreaming of making his baseball career in the majors. On March 30, 2008, he was signed by the New York Yankees to a minor league contract.
A year later, the Charleston RiverDogs placed him on the 7-day disabled list with an upper body injury.
On September 3, 2009, Banuelos was assigned to the Tampa Yankees, returned to the RiverDogs five days later, only to be assigned by the Yankees again on September 14th.
In April of 2010, Banuelos was put on the 7-day DL and then sent on a rehab assignment to the GCL Yankees.
In August of 2010, Banuelos was assigned to the Trenton Thunder. A couple of months later, he was assigned to the Phoenix Desert Dogs.
Banuelos was invited to the Yankees spring training on February 11, 2011. His impact was felt so much that he was recognized as the most outstanding rookie in spring training. He won the James P. Dawson award, which is awarded annually to the Yankees rookie player who has the best spring training performance. This award has been given out since 1956.
Banuelos’ career took a turn for the worst as he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012. He didn’t pitch again until 2014.
On January 1, 2015, the Atlanta Braves traded their LHP Chasen Shreve and RHP David Carpenter for Banuelos and later optioned to the Gwinnett Braves.
On July 14, 2015, Banuelos was assigned to the International League All-Stars. Two weeks later, he was placed on the 15-day DL for left elbow inflammation, where he would end up on a rehab assignment to the GCL Braves and then the Gwinnett Braves.
His stats in 2015 consisted of only five games with a record of 1-4 and an ERA of 5.13. He allowed 30 hits, four HR and 12 walks, while striking out 19.
Another Chance
After Banuelos returned from his 15-day DL, he was sent on a rehab assignment to the Rome Braves.
He was later optioned to the Gwinnett Braves again and then assigned to the Mississippi Braves.
On August 15, 2016, Banuelos was released from the Atlanta Braves and signed three days later to a minor league contract by the Los Angeles Angels.
He was invited to the Angels’ spring training and then assigned to the Salt Lake Bees.
On November 6, 2017, Banuelos elected free agency and was assigned to the Tomateros de Culiacan.
Two days later, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Banuelos to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Three days after being signed by the Dodgers, Banuelos was placed on the reserve list.
On January 30, 2018, Banuelos was assigned to the Oklahoma City Dodgers where he was placed on a temporary inactive list.
Later the same year, Banuelos was placed on the 7-day DL.
On November 1, 2018, the Chicago White Sox traded Justin Yurchak to the Dodgers for Banuelos.
In May of 2019, Banuelos was placed on the 10-day DL for a strained left shoulder. Later in the year, he was sent on a rehab assignment to the AZL White Sox. Two days later, he was put on the 60-day DL.
Banuelos elected free agency on November 4, 2019 after being sent on another rehab assignment to the Winston-Salem Dash, along with the Charlotte Knights.
Banuelos was assigned to Tomateros de Culiacan and then assigned to Mexico.
During Banuelos’ time with the White Sox, he played in 16 games with an ERA of 6.93, allowing 60 hits, 12 HR, 33 walks and struck out 44 batters.
Third Time’s the Charm?
The Seattle Mariners signed Banuelos to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training on February 11, 2020.
Eleven days later, Banuelos was assigned to the Tacoma Rainiers, but then released three months later.
Banuelos was signed by the Sultanes de Monterrey on July 13, 2021 and then placed him on the reserve list. He was assigned, again, to the Tomateros de Culiacan.
March 13, 2022, the Yankees signed him to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training where he is definitely being noticed.
Banuelos has not allowed a run in any of the three games he appeared in. He has one save and struck out seven in six innings pitched. Nice!
It is clear that Banuelos wants to show the everyone, especially the Yankees, that he has what it takes. If he keeps this up, he may have a nice spot on the Yankees roster.
Featured Image Courtesy of Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
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