Jorge Luis Cantú (born Jorge Luís Cantú Guzmán on
January 30, 1982 in McAllen, Texas) is a Major
League Baseball third baseman for the Florida
Marlins. Cantú bats and throws right-handed. He was
born in McAllen, Texas and makes his home in nearby
Reynosa, Mexico.
Cantú was spotted by a scout while playing in a
Junior Olympic tournament in Mexico City while in
high school and offered a contract with the Tampa
Bay Devil Rays at age 16. In 2003, Cantú played for
the Mexican national team in the regional Olympic
qualifying tournament. His team defeated the U.S.
team, eliminating them from the 2004 summer games in
Athens.
Cantú made his major league debut with the Tampa Bay
Devil Rays in the 2004 season, hitting a .301
batting average with two home runs and 17 runs
batted in from 50 games played. In 2005, Cantú began
the season expecting to play a utilityman role, but
due to the retirement of second baseman Roberto
Alomar, he was forced into a full time position. He
took the opportunity to showcase his talents, being
named the Devil Rays Most Valuable Player by Tampa
Bay sportswriters, after hitting .289 with 28 home
runs, 117 RBI, 40 doubles, and 171 hits in 150 games
(80 at second base, 63 at third).
Cantú exceeded the expectations of many fans and
members of the media, and he was a valuable young
player for the rebuilding Devil Rays, who finished
last in the American League last season. However, he
failed to make the Opening Day 25-man roster for
2007, and was assigned instead to the Triple-A
Durham Bulls. He threatened not to report, and
demanded a trade. However, on the April 4, 2007
edition of ESPN's Baseball Tonight, Cantu retracted
his trade demand and stated he would voluntarily
report to Durham.
On July 28, 2007 Cantu was traded to the Cincinnati
Reds along with outfielder Shaun Cumberland for
pitchers Brian Shackelford and Calvin Medlock.
On December 5, 2007 the Cincinnati Reds released
him.
On January 4, 2008, the Florida Marlins signed him
to a minor league contract with an invitation to
Spring Training.
On March 22, 2008, Jose Castillo was claimed off
waivers by the San Francisco Giants, opening the
door for a possible roster spot for Cantú. Cantu was
added to the active roster on March 27, 2008.
