Yohel Pozo is a Venezuelan catcher from Maracaibo who arrived in the big leagues in August 2021. He’s built his MLB career on a foundation of solid defense, smart pitch-calling, and the kind of quiet reliability that managers count on from their backstops.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Yohel Pozo
- Position: Catcher
- Team: Baltimore Orioles
- Number: 79
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’11» / 201 lbs
- Born: June 14, 1997 (age 29)
- Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela
- MLB Debut: August 13, 2021
Background
Pozo grew up in Maracaibo and worked his way through the minor league systems of multiple organizations before earning a spot on an MLB roster. He debuted on August 13, 2021, and since then has logged valuable experience handling pitching staffs and competing in high-leverage situations at the game’s highest level.
Professional Career
Over the course of his MLB career, Pozo has suited up for both the Baltimore Orioles and the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2026, he posted a combined .238 average with 1 home run, 7 RBI, and an OPS of .566 — numbers that reflect a player whose value lives behind the plate rather than in the box score.
The split tells an interesting story: with Baltimore he hit .222 with an OPS of .756, while his time in St. Louis produced a .242 average with 5 RBI and a .515 OPS. Across both stops, his pitch management and defensive presence remained his calling cards.
2026 Stats at a Glance
- Overall: .238 AVG | 1 HR | 7 RBI | 1 R | .566 OPS
- Baltimore Orioles: .222 AVG | 1 HR | 2 RBI | 1 R | .756 OPS
- St. Louis Cardinals: .242 AVG | 0 HR | 5 RBI | 0 R | .515 OPS
Awards and Honors
Pozo has not yet earned individual hardware — no Gold Glove, no All-Star nod. His focus has been on cementing himself as a versatile, trustworthy catcher within each organization he’s been part of, prioritizing defensive development and pitching-staff management above all else.
Worth Knowing
At 29, Pozo represents something genuinely common in Venezuelan baseball: a player who built his path to the majors through relentless defensive work and determination rather than prospect hype. His journey from Maracaibo to the big leagues is a reminder that there’s more than one way to make it to the show.
