Yohel Pozo is a Venezuelan catcher from Maracaibo who reached the big leagues on August 13, 2021. His career has been defined by movement between organizations and a steady effort to carve out a reliable role behind the plate — one of the most demanding positions in the game.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Yohel Pozo
- Position: Catcher
- Team: Baltimore Orioles
- Number: 79
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’11» / 201 lb
- Born: June 14, 1997 — Maracaibo, Venezuela 🇻🇪
- MLB Debut: August 13, 2021
Background
Pozo grew up in Maracaibo, a city with deep baseball roots in Venezuela. He signed with an MLB organization and developed his craft as a catcher — a position that demands not just athleticism but sharp tactical instincts to manage a pitching staff and control a game from behind the plate.
Professional Career
Pozo has suited up for multiple MLB clubs throughout his career. In 2026, his numbers told two different stories depending on the uniform. With the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit .242 with 5 RBI and an OPS of .515. After joining the Baltimore Orioles, he bumped his OPS all the way to .756 — albeit in a smaller sample — while batting .222 with 2 RBI.
Combined across both stops, Pozo posted a .238 AVG, 1 home run, 7 RBI, and a .566 OPS in 2026. Those numbers reflect the classic catcher’s tradeoff: defensive value and pitch-calling intelligence often outweigh raw offensive production, especially for backup and platoon options.
2026 Stats
- Overall: .238 AVG | 1 HR | 7 RBI | 1 R | .566 OPS | 0 SB
- 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 Records
Pozo has not yet earned major individual awards such as an MVP, Gold Glove, or Silver Slugger. His focus remains on establishing himself as a dependable everyday option behind the plate — a goal that requires sustained consistency on both sides of the ball.
One Thing Worth Knowing
As a Venezuelan catcher in MLB, Pozo is part of a proud Latin American catching tradition. Maracaibo has long produced players with serious defensive chops and a deep love for the game — and Pozo carries that identity with him every time he straps on the gear.
