Jose Tabata, Outfield

Date of Birth: 8/12/1988
Birthplace: Anzoategui, Venezuela

Jose Tabata, outfielder, was originally with the New York Yankees. He started playing in their minor league system at the age of just 17. In July, 2008, the Yankees traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He continued to play in the minor leagues through the 2009 season.

Tabata's rookie year, 2010, was his best one, with career highs in hits with 121, doubles with 21, stolen bases with 19, and batting average with .299 in 102 games. The following season, he played in just 91 games and he batted .266 with 89 hits. In August, 2011, he signed a contract extension through 2016 that is valued at $14.75 million. The contract includes club options for three additional years.

Tabata spent time on the DL in 2013, playing in just 106 games with the Pirates. He batted .282 with 87 hits and 17 doubles. His defensive playing time was split between right field (50 games) and left field (40 games). He played in just 80 games in 2014, finishing with 49 hits and a .282 batting average.

Tabata spent most of the 2015 season in the minors, playing in just 27 games with the Pirates. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31st and he continued his season in the minors.

Tabata was released by the Dodgers on June 11, 2016. He played in the minors and in the Mexican league in 2016. He didn't play professional baseball in 2017. He played in the Mexican League in 2018.

Tabata didn't play professional baseball in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, he played in the independent Atlantic League, the Mexican League, and the Venezuelan Winter League.

Personal Life

Tabata and his wife Auromar were married in 2011. They have one daughter.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jose Tabata
ESPN - Jose Tabata