Edgar Quero’s Rise Leads To Futures Game Selection

At just 20 years old, Edgar Quero has already made a name for himself as one of the top young catchers in baseball. Now with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Quero will soon take his talents to the national stage.

Quero, along with Trash Pandas teammate Kyren Paris, will soon play for the American League in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at T-Mobile Park on July 8 as part of MLB All-Star Saturday in Seattle.

“It’s a blessing,” Quero said of the Futures Game selection. “I feel great to be named to the Futures Game to represent my team and my country. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Paris and Quero have been at the top of the Rocket City lineup for the entire season, and their moment in the sun in Seattle is one that will be savored by two of the youngest players on the roster.

“We’ve been back-to-back in the lineup for the whole season. Being young and trying to be leaders on this team, we’ve developed a great relationship,” Paris said. “It’s going to be special for both of us to be out there together. We’re going to take it all in and have a lot of fun out in Seattle.”

For Quero, the road to Seattle was a long one with a big recent rise. Born in Cuba on April 6, 2003, Quero starred for the Cuban National Team at the 2018 U-15 World Cup in Panama and was named to the All-Tournament team as the Catcher.

In 2019, he left Cuba and eventually signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 for a six-figure signing bonus. Last season, he broke through for Low-A Inland Empire, batting .312 with 17 home runs and 75 RBI to lead the 66ers to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and earn California League MVP honors.

Now ranked as the Angels’ number two prospect according to MLB.com, Quero skipped High-A and was assigned to the Double-A Trash Pandas to start the 2023 season. Turning 20 years old on Opening Night, Quero began his Rocket City tenure with a game-tying RBI double in the bottom of the ninth on April 6 against Chattanooga, his first Double-A hit.

Since then, he has adjusted well to the Double-A level, hitting .242 with two home runs, 32 RBI, 35 runs scored and 45 walks in 60 games and ranking among the Southern League leaders with a .378 on-base percentage. While the transition hasn’t been easy, it’s been exciting for the catcher.

“It’s a lot different here than it was in Inland Empire last year,” Quero said. “Everything is better here in Double-A. the pitchers are better. It’s been harder for me but I’m working hard to try and be better myself.”

“We’re seeing signs of growth. He’s continuing to manage things from both a tangible and an intangible standpoint,” Trash Pandas Manager Andy Schatzley said of Quero. “He’s only 20 years old. We’re proud of the strides that he’s made and the maturation that’s happening and we’re looking forward to more to come.”

While the offensive numbers have been stellar, one of Quero’s biggest assignments has been handling the talented Trash Pandas pitching staff. He’s taken it in stride too, with several former Rocket City pitchers currently contributing at the Major League level for the Angels.

“My goal is to help the pitchers. I’m very happy to help my teammates in the field and see them move up,” he said. “I know I’m younger, but I can do it. I’m working every day. I’m preparing for every game to help my teammates and the pitchers.”

With a difficult first half of the season behind them, Quero and his Rocket City teammates have their sights set on a pennant chase in the second half.

“We are going to try and win the second half to get into the playoffs,” he said. “We’re trying to get better every day. Everybody is good here. We’re working hard to be better.”

After this homestand against Chattanooga, the Trash Pandas will break for four days before beginning a nine-game road trip in Biloxi and Pensacola on July 14.