Jhonny Pereda is a Venezuelan catcher born in San Juan who made his MLB debut on April 17, 2024, with the Seattle Mariners. Now 30 years old, the right-handed hitter has carved out a role as both a starter and a backup behind the plate for Seattle, posting a .270 AVG and .689 OPS in the 2026 season.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Jhonny Pereda
- Position: Catcher
- Team: Seattle Mariners
- Number: 5
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 6’1″ / 203 lbs
- Born: April 18, 1996 — San Juan, Venezuela 🇻🇪
- MLB Debut: April 17, 2024
Background
Pereda was born on April 18, 1996, in San Juan, Venezuela — a country with deep baseball roots. He spent years refining his craft in the minor leagues, developing both the defensive instincts and the offensive tools needed to compete at the highest level. By the time he put on a Mariners uniform for the first time, he had gone through a thorough, patient development process — arriving in the big leagues at an age when many catchers are already in their prime.
Professional Career
Since his 2024 debut, Pereda has worked as both a starter and a backup catcher in Seattle. In 2025, he split time between the Mariners and the Minnesota Twins. His brief stint in Minnesota stood out offensively — he hit .345 without a home run — while his Seattle numbers that same year showed the natural growing pains of a big-league adjustment: .246 AVG and a .658 OPS.
The 2026 season brought a noticeable step forward. Back with Seattle full-time, Pereda hit .270 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI, 8 runs scored, and an OPS of .689. Those numbers paint the picture of a modern catcher who prioritizes pitch framing and game management while contributing enough at the plate to hold his spot in the lineup.
Career Stats
- 2026 — Seattle Mariners: .270 AVG | 2 HR | 4 RBI | 8 R | .689 OPS | 0 SB
- 2025 — Seattle Mariners: .246 AVG | 0 HR | 4 RBI | 4 R | .658 OPS | 0 SB
- 2025 — Minnesota Twins: .345 AVG | 0 HR | 1 RBI | 1 R | .870 OPS | 0 SB
Awards and Records
Pereda has not yet earned individual honors such as a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, or an All-Star selection. His MLB career is still in its consolidation phase, with the immediate goal being to lock down a reliable everyday role behind the plate in Seattle.
Worth Noting
Pereda is part of a new wave of Venezuelan catchers who reach the majors after age 28 — a sign that their development was deliberate and thorough rather than rushed. His .345 AVG in Minnesota suggests there’s more offensive upside in his bat than his Seattle numbers alone might indicate. Consistency is the next challenge as he works to establish himself as a trusted piece of the Mariners’ roster.
