Humberto Cota Essentials

Positions:
Bats: R Throws: R
71 Weight: 225
Born: Wednesday, February 07, 1979 in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora Mexico
Died: in ,
Debut: 9/9/2001
Last Game: 5/28/2007
Full Name: Humberto Figueroa Cota

Humberto Cota, catcher for the 2001-07 Pirates. He was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves in 1995 then released by them two years later. The Devil Rays picked him up then eventually traded him to the Pirates on July 23, 1999 in the Joe Oliver/Jose Guillen deal. Cota was a September call-up each of his first two seasons in the majors and in 2003 he played with the team from late July until mid-August. He had a total of 24 games played between his first three seasons in the majors with just 44 plate appearances. He spent the 2004 season as the backup to Jason Kendall, receiving very little playing time throughout the season, but it was his first full season in the majors. When Kendall was traded in the off-season, Cota took over and had his best year in the majors, playing 93 games, hitting .242 with seven homers and 43 RBIs. In 2006, rookie Ronny Paulino emerged, hitting .310 in 129 games and taking over the regular catcher spot. Cota played briefly for the Pirates in 2007 before being granted free agency. He played pro ball until 2016 without making the majors again. He turns 41 today.