César Salazar is a Mexican catcher from Hermosillo, Sonora, who made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros on April 2, 2023. Now 30, he splits his time between chasing a roster spot in Houston and anchoring the lineup for his hometown Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League — a team and a city he’s never really left behind.
Background
Hermosillo has deep baseball roots, and Salazar is a product of that culture. He developed into a catcher with solid defensive instincts and a left-handed bat that allowed him to climb through the professional ranks steadily. His path to the majors wasn’t overnight, but when the call came with the Astros in 2023, he was ready. Since then, he’s been working to establish himself in the most competitive league in the world while staying sharp in winter ball.
Professional Career
Salazar’s best MLB season came in 2024, when he hit .320 with 8 RBI and an OPS of .787 — zero home runs, but impressive contact consistency for a backup catcher getting his opportunities. That version of Salazar looked like a legitimate big-league option.
The 2025 season brought a step back: a .231 AVG and .606 OPS, a reminder of how hard it is to sustain production in the majors. Then 2026 hit harder — a .056 AVG in his Houston appearances, signaling that Salazar is at a crossroads in his MLB career.
Winter Ball: A Different Story
When Salazar heads home to the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico, the numbers tell a different story. In the 2025-26 season he played 31 games for Naranjeros, hitting .256 with 2 home runs, 9 RBI, and a .753 OPS — noticeably more productive than what he’s shown in Houston.
The early returns in 2026-27 are even more eye-catching: through 2 games, Salazar is slashing .600 with an OPS of 1.467. Small sample, sure — but a hot start for a player who needs momentum heading into next spring.
Career Stats at a Glance
MLB (Houston Astros)
- 2024: .320 AVG | 0 HR | 8 RBI | .787 OPS
- 2025: .231 AVG | 0 HR | 1 RBI | .606 OPS
- 2026: .056 AVG | 0 HR | 1 RBI | .283 OPS
LMP (Naranjeros de Hermosillo)
- 2026-27: .600 AVG | 0 HR | 0 RBI | 1.467 OPS (2 G)
- 2025-26: .256 AVG | 2 HR | 9 RBI | .753 OPS (31 G)
- 2024-25: .241 AVG | 0 HR | 4 RBI | .619 OPS (25 G)
- 2023-24: .257 AVG | 0 HR | 7 RBI | .652 OPS (25 G)
One Thing Worth Noting
Salazar represents a new wave of Mexican catchers pushing for big-league opportunities. His connection to Hermosillo goes beyond birthplace — he remains a fixture for the Naranjeros year after year, giving back to the community that shaped him while continuing to fight for his spot on an MLB roster. How his 2026-27 winter unfolds could very well determine what comes next in Houston.
