2000
Chicago Cubs


May 2006
Fukuoka, Japan
Source: Fukuoka-Now.com


February 2007
Geelong, Australia
Marines Spring Training


June 2008
Marines Stadium
Chiba, Japan
Source: Deanna Rubin


March 2009
San Juan, Puerto Rico
World Baseball Classic

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JULIO ZULETA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Zuleta's Indoor Batting Cages, Inc. is owned and operated by JULIO ZULETA, professional baseball player with a 17-year career in Minor League Baseball (MiLB), Major League Baseball (MLB), Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

In 1992, at age 17, Julio was signed as an Amateur Free Agent by the Chicago Cubs Minor League Organization, where he played 1B, Catcher and OF and appeared in five All-Star Games, received two MVP Awards, and was a Top 10 Prospect. 

In 2000, Julio made his Major League Debut with the Chicago Cubs Organization, playing 1B in a total of 79 games with a .247 batting average with 9 HR and 36 RBI. 

In 2002, Julio was picked up as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox Organization where he played 1B for Pawtucket Minor League Triple-A.

In mid-2003, Julio signed with the Fukuoka Daiei (now SoftBank) Hawks in the Pacific League of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan, managed by Sadaharu Oh.  Between 2004 and 2006, Julio played 1B and hit 109 HR, more than any other player in Japan.  During his pinnacle season in 2005, Julio went .319 with 43 HR and 99 RBI, ranking second in each category in the league and received the Best 9 Award. 

Julio hit three home runs in one game in 2003 and 2006 respectively, against the Orix Blue Wave (regular season) and Seibu Lions (playoffs).  He also appeared in three All-Star Games and holds the current record for most HR hit by a foreigner for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

In 2007, Julio signed a 2-year contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines, managed by Bobby Valentine.  Julio was hit by a pitch in the beginning of the 2007 season which broke his pinkie finger, but continued to play for weeks before being deactivated and sent to California for surgery.  After five months rehabilitation, he returned and hit-for-the-cycle on September 22 (becoming the 61st player in Japanese history to accomplish this feat).  Julio finished the season .267 and led his team with 15 HR in only 77 games.

In 2008, Julio finished his contract with the Marines, although he played only 73 games for the club in 2008.  Julio was one of the highest paid players in Nippon Professional Baseball. 

In his 17-year career, Julio has a .286 batting average, 1,060 RBIs and 276 HR in 5,335 at-bats in over 1500 games.

In 2009, Julio represented his home country of Panama in the World Baseball Classic.  He played 1B in two games in the first round of competition.

Julio is currently a free-agent and is training for next season. 

CAREER STATISTICS