Junior Noboa is in his 27th year with the Arizona Diamondbacks and 10th as Vice President, Latin Operations. In his current role, Noboa oversees the D-backs’ baseball academy in Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic and serves as the team’s liaison to its Latin American prospects. He previously served as Special Assistant to the General Manager & Director, Latin American Operations.
In 2020, Noboa served as the National Baseball Commissioner for the Dominican Republic. In 2019, he was the recipient of the Chief Bender Award, which is presented annually at the Winter Meetings to an individual with distinguished service who has been instrumental in player development.
Noboa was the organization’s first international hire in August 1995 and a month later signed the organization’s first two Latin players. Among the players that have been signed and developed during Noboa’s tenure are Miguel Montero, Gerardo Parra, Ender Inciarte, Carlos González, Vicente Padilla, José Valverde and Emilio Bonifacio.
In 1997, Noboa was the first recipient of the Roland Hemond Award, bestowed upon a member of the baseball operations department who best exemplifies the D-backs’ approach to their work.
In 2014, he played an integral role in creating a first-of-its-kind program to further the education of the team’s Latin American players and staff. The program ensures participants are able to complete their high school education, develop English skills and successfully integrate in the culture of North America while building a foundation to have career alternatives, if needed. In 7 years, the program has allowed more than 60 prospects to graduate high school.
He is currently involved in the club’s efforts to build a new player development and education academy in the D.R., scheduled to open in 2022.
He has sat on the board of trustees for the Dominican Republic Sports and Education Academy and has served on the coaching staff for his native Dominican Republic in the 2006, 2009 and 2017 World Baseball Classic, most recently as the Bench Coach.
Noboa played in parts of 8 Major Leagues seasons with the Indians, Angels, Expos, Mets, A’s and Pirates.
He and his wife, Llabil, have three children, John, Michael and Milciades Jr.