CB Sant Boi continued their shopping tour. They have agreed on terms with reliever Fernando Mercedes QUIJADA for the upcoming season. The right-hander was born on October 9th 1984 in Nueva Esparita, Dominican Republic. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and was later selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2005 Rule V Draft.
Between 2003 and 2006 he made 70 appearances over the course of three seasons for Rookie, Low A and Single A teams of the aforementioned clubs. He had a combined ERA of 4.28 and 118 strikeouts in 120 innings pitched, while walking 56. He also pitched in the Venezuelan Summer League before his pro-career in the United States.
He joined La Guaria of the Liga Paralela in Venezuela for the 2007 season. He pitched in 14 games as their closer, getting seven saves and a 1-1 record. He struck out 19 (2 walks) in 14.2 innings pitched. He allowed just one run, which gave him an ERA of 0.61. After the summer season QUIJADA was added to the Venezuelan Winter League roster of the Triburones de La Guaria and made two appearances, striking out three in 2.1 innings pitched.
Sant Boi meets the German team Paderborn Untouchables next weekend and open the Spanish season against local rivals CB Viladecans on March 29th.