José Capellán

José Francisco Capellán (January 13, 1981 – April 7, 2015) was a professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies. He also played with the Hanhwa Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. He batted and threw right-handed.

Career

In 2004, Capellán pitched at Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A and posted a combined 14–5 mark with a 2.80 earned run average (ERA). In three games with the Atlanta Braves after a September call-up in 2004, Capellán compiled a 0–1 record with an 11.25 ERA in eight innings pitched.

A highly touted prospect, Capellán was acquired after a rapid rise through the Braves system in exchange for all-star reliever Dan Kolb.

Capellán opened the 2005 season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, and was called up to Brewers major league club, where he worked relief through the 2005 season. At the end of spring training in 2007, he was sent back to Triple-A after a poor spring, and demanded a trade and even considered retirement. His wish eventually came true on July 1, 2007, when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Chris Cody.

Capellán was traded from Detroit to the Rockies in exchange for pitcher Denny Bautista on December 4, 2007. On May 5, 2008, Capellán was released by the Rockies after being designated for assignment. In late June, Capellán signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and became a free agent after the season.

Capellán signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on January 14, 2009, and was invited to spring training.

The Hanhwa Eagles, a Korean professional baseball club, revealed their acquisition of Capellán on December 10, 2009. Capellán was considered to be a starter for the Eagles in 2010 and scheduled to make $250,000 a year. He was released from the Eagles on August 5, 2010.

In between, Capellan pitched winterball with the Gigantes del Cibao and the Toros del Este in Dominican Republic, and for the Tigres de Aragua in Venezuela, where he made his last professional appearance in 2013.

Death

Capellán died of a heart attack on April 7, 2015 aged 34.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

• Hanwha Eagles Sign With 2 Former Major League Pitchers
• Pura Pelota – LVBP Statistics
• Jose Capellan dies at age 34 from apparent heart attack