Cardinals’ New Catcher Yohel Pozo Brings More Than Talent — He Brings a Story of Resilience
The St. Louis Cardinals have a promising future behind the plate, boasting an impressive lineup of young catching prospects including Jimmy Crooks, Leonardo Bernal, and Rainiel Rodriguez. But with Ivan Herrera sidelined due to a bone bruise on his left foot, the team has turned to a lesser-known name — Yohel Pozo — whose path to the majors is one of the most inspiring stories in baseball.
Pozo, a native of Venezuela, originally signed with the Texas Rangers in 2013 for $100,000. Though his early career showed promise, including strong performances in 2016 and 2017, he faced several hurdles — including a suspension from a hazing incident and a decline in production in the following seasons. In 2020, after the minor league season was canceled due to the pandemic, Pozo wasn’t invited to the Rangers’ Alternate Training Site, and soon after, his contract expired.
That same year, Pozo and his wife, Paola, welcomed their first child, Paul. But joy quickly turned to hardship when Paul was diagnosed with balance issues that eventually led to a pediatric stroke. Without a contract or steady income, the Pozo family was forced to move out of their apartment and live in their car. Yohel took on work as a delivery driver just to try and stay afloat.
A glimmer of hope came when the San Diego Padres signed him to a minor league deal that November, only for Pozo to be selected by the Rangers again in the Rule 5 Draft. After returning to the organization, he reached out to multiple coaches and staff members to explain his family’s dire situation. In response, the Rangers stepped up — helping Pozo with housing in Arizona and financial support for his son’s medical care during spring training.
Pozo’s perseverance paid off in 2021, when he made his MLB debut and appeared in 21 games for the Rangers, hitting an impressive .284. Still, after the 2022 season, the Rangers released him, and Pozo spent time with the Athletics and Braves organizations before signing with the Cardinals ahead of the 2025 season.
Now, nearly four years since his last major league appearance, Pozo is back — promoted to fill in for the injured Herrera and ready to contribute in a backup role behind Pedro Pagés. While his on-field impact may be limited, his presence in the clubhouse and his journey to get back to this level speak volumes about his character.
Too often, fans overlook the personal battles players endure behind the scenes. In Yohel Pozo’s case, his resilience and unshakable dedication to both his family and his dream of playing in the big leagues are nothing short of remarkable. Whether he gets a few at-bats or none, Cardinals fans now have one more reason to cheer — not just for a player, but for a survivor.
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