| José Tábata | |
|---|---|
 Tabata with the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1988-08-12)12 August 1988 (age 36) Anzoátegui,Venezuela | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 9, 2010, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 25, 2015, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .275 |
| Home runs | 17 |
| Runs batted in | 126 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
José Nicolas Tábata (born 12 August 1988) is aVenezuelan former professionalbaseballoutfielder. He was an international signee of theNew York Yankees in 2005, and by 2008, became the Yankees' No. 2 prospect. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates from 2010 through 2015.
At the age of 17, and in his first year of professional ball, Tábata led the Yankees farm system inbatting average when he hit .314 for theGulf Coast Yankees in 2005.
In 2006, Tábata batted .298 for the Low ACharleston RiverDogs. The same year, he was selected to participate in theXM Satellite RadioAll-Star Futures Game as a member of the World Team, which consisted of 25 highly touted prospects from across the globe.[1] In the game, which was part of the festivities for the 2006All-Star Game atPNC Park inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he playedcenter field while going 1-for-3 with asingle off fellowYankees prospectPhil Hughes.
In 2007, Tábata played for the Single-ATampa Yankees.
On 26 July 2008, Tábata was acquired by the Pirates withRoss Ohlendorf,Jeff Karstens, andDaniel McCutchen from the Yankees in exchange forXavier Nady andDámaso Marte.[2]
Tábata was called up from theTriple-AIndianapolis Indians to make his major league debut on 9 June 2010. He subsequently singled for his first major league hit in his first at bat.[3] In the top of the fourth, withNeil Walker at bat, Tábata collected the first stolen base of his career. He then tallied his first run of his career, on a single from Walker on the next pitch.
In 2010, he batted .299, and led National League left fielders inrange factor/game (2.09). He tied for 8th in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year, behindIke Davis of theNew York Mets.[4]
On 21 August 2011, Pirates general managerNeal Huntington announced a contract extension for Tábata through 2019. Tábata signed with the Pirates through 2016 for $14.75 million guaranteed, with a $250,000buyout, and an additional three club option years for 2017–2019.[5] On 2 July 2012, Tábata was sent down to the Triple–A Indianapolis. Tábata was recalled on 19 August, whenStarling Marte was placed on theDisabled list.[6] Tábata started the 2013 season off well. On 25 May 2013, Tábata was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain and didn't return until early July.[7][8] He was batting .272, with two home runs, six RBI, and a .744 OPS in just 36 games with the Pirates. Tábata finished up the 2013 season with 6 homers, a career best.
On 24 June 2014, Tábata was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Indianapolis.[9] Tábata was re-added to the roster on 25 August.[10] He was laterdesignated for assignment on 3 October.[11] Tábata was called back up by the Pirates on 19 May 2015.[12]
On 20 June 2015, Tábata facedMax Scherzer in the ninth inning, after Scherzer had retired the first 26 batters in order for theWashington Nationals. On a 2–2 count, a pitch insideclipped Tábata on the elbow guard, ending Scherzer's chance for aperfect game. After Tábata took first base, Scherzer induced a fly ball from the next batter that was caught byMichael A. Taylor, preserving ano-hitter for Scherzer. Tábata faced criticism from numerous baseball fans and analysts after the game for leaning into the pitch, although he said afterward he had expected Scherzer's slider to break back toward the plate.[13] Replays confirmed that Tábata moved his elbow guard down towards the ball. Scherzer did not blame Tábata for breaking up the perfect game, adding, "I probably would have done the same thing."[14][15][16]
On 31 July 2015, Tábata was traded to theLos Angeles Dodgers in exchange forMichael Morse.[17] He was assigned to the Triple–AOklahoma City Dodgers, where he hit .225 in 28 games in 2015 and .244 in 30 games in 2016.[18] Tábata was released by the Dodgers on 11 June 2016.[19]
On 30 June 2016, Tábata signed with theTigres de Quintana Roo of theMexican Baseball League.[20] In 30 games for Quintana Roo, he hit .320/.439/.410 with one home run and nine RBI.[21]
Tábata signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays on 10 February 2017.[22][23] He spent the entire 2017 season on the disabled list with theBuffalo Bisons, and elected free agency on 7 November.[24][25]
On 21 February 2018, Tábata signed with theYork Revolution of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[26] In 7 games for York, he went 4–for–24 (.167) with one home run, three RBI, and one stolen base. Tábata was released by the Revolution on 8 June.[20]
On 3 July 2018, Tábata signed with theGuerreros de Oaxaca of theMexican League. In 6 games for Oaxaca, he went 3–for–23 (.130) with no home runs and two RBI. Tábata was released the Guerreros on 10 July.[20]
On 26 May 2021, Tábata signed with theWest Virginia Power of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[27] In 29 games, he slashed .354/.433/.585 with four home runs and 18 RBI.
On 8 July 2021, Tábata's contract was purchased by theSultanes de Monterrey of theMexican League.[28][29] In 11 games, he slashed .387/.486/.710 with two home runs and four RBI. Tábata was released on 4 August.[30]
On 23 March 2009, Tábata's wife, Amalia Tábata Pereira, who is 23 years his senior, was arrested and charged withabduction after allegedly kidnapping a two-month-old girl inFlorida by posing as an immigration officer; the baby was found unharmed in a shopping center later the same day.[31] Tábata told the media that Pereira, whom he married in January 2008, had told him that she had given birth and that the baby was his.[32] She also lied to him about her age, identity, and criminal background.[33] Tábata Pereira was sentenced to 24 years in prison.[34] The couple had been estranged, with Tábata filing for divorce in early 2010.[35]
Tábata married his second wife, Auromar, in early 2011, and the couple have a daughter, Barbara (born 29 September 2011).[36][37]