Angel Villalona

From BR Bullpen

Angel Miguel Villalona

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 240 lb.

Born August 13, 1990 in La Romana Dominican Republic

[edit] Biographical Information

Angel Villalona is a San Francisco Giants prospect whose career has been imperiled by a murder charge in the fall of 2009, soon after his 19th birthday.

Villalona was signed by the Giants 3 days after his 16th birthday, for $2.1 million, a team record at the time for an amateur signing from Latin America. Angel made his pro debut in 2007 with the AZL Giants (.285/.344/.450, 40 R in 52 G) and Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (2 for 12). He led Arizona League third basemen in assists (89) but also in errors (18). Baseball America rated the youngster the #1 prospect in the AZL, right ahead of Engel Beltre and Nick Noonan. Villalona did not make the league All-Star team; the third baseman chosen was Edgar Trejo.

In 2008, Angel hit .263/.312/.435 with 29 doubles and 17 homers for the Augusta GreenJackets. He struck out 118 times while drawing only 18 walks, one negative. He moved to first base, where he made 15 errors. Baseball America ranked him as the #6 prospect in the South Atlantic League, between Matt Dominguez and Jesus Montero; he was 5 spots behind teammate Madison Bumgarner. Villalona played in the 2008 Futures Game, backing up Pablo Sandoval at first base for the World team. He grounded out to Ryan Mattheus in the 7th and struck out versus Casey Weathers in the 8th.

He was originally picked for the 2009 Futures Game but sat out due to injury and was replaced by Bárbaro Cañizares, who was almost 16 years older. For the season, Villalona hit .267/.306/.397 in 74 games for the San Jose Giants.

On September 21, 2009, Villalona was charged with murder for the fatal shooting of a man at a bar in his hometown of La Romana. Angel had turned himself in to the police and pleaded "innocent" the following day. In early November, Villalona and the family of the deceased man reached an agreement whereby the family would receive approximately $138,000 (5 million pesos) and the family would not seek additional damages. At that point, Villalona was allowed to pay bail (500,000 pesos) and was freed until his criminal trial. At the time of Villalona's posting of bail, the US rescinded his travel visa, thus helping to ensure Villalona stands trial in the Dominican.