Carlos Mota took pride in his defense over 12 pro seasons; Made AAA, saw independent ball

Carlos Mota, catcher at independent Bangor, earned high praise from his manager Roger LaFrancois in June 1997, according to The Bangor Daily News.

Mota took pride in his defense, called a good game and had a good arm, LaFrancois, a former AAA coach, told The Daily News.

"There's a lot of catchers in triple A that I know of who can't catch as well as Carlos Mota," LaFrancois told The Daily News. "I've had catchers in triple A that I would take him over right now."

Mota received that praise in his 10th season as a pro, having already seen AAA briefly twice before. He played in two more campaigns after that, both in independent ball. He never made the majors.

Mota's career began in 1987, signed by the Indians out of his native Dominican Republic.

Mota started with the Indians at rookie Burlington. He saw 15 games there in 1987 and 55 more in 1988. He hit .236 there in 1988.

Mota played 1989 largely at short-season Watertown, then 1990 at high-A Reno. He also saw eight games that year at AA Canton-Akron.

In June 1990, he spoke to The Reno Gazette-Journal about playing ball in the winter with major leaguers like Pedro Guerrero and learning from them.

"I hope to be up there in the majors with them, someday," Mota told The Gazette-Journal. "They are always ready to give me advice and help me with my game. That's almost as good as being able to play with them."

Mota played 1991 at high-A Kinston, then 1992 back at Canton-Akron. He also saw eight games at AAA Colorado Springs. He went 7 for 30 there.

He played one more season in the Indians organization, 1993, between Canton-Akron and AAA Charlotte. He saw 49 total games and hit .266.

After skipping 1994, Mota returned for independent ball in 1995. He played that year at St. Paul and 1996 and 1997 at Bangor. He saw independent Albany-Colonie in 1998 and St. Paul again in 1999 to end his career.

Mota has since continued on the field as a manger for the Yankees' Dominican Summer League team from 2010 to 2014.

• Reno Gazette-Journal, June 13, 1990: Mota
• Bangor Daily News, June 20, 1997: Mota more disciplined at plate

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:3,526
Made the Majors:1,227-34.8%
Never Made Majors:2,299-65.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:509
10+ Seasons in the Minors:303-X