Gabriel Moreno became the first Latin catcher to be crowned MLB batting champion

Published at: 28/09/2026 01:22 PM

Venezuelan Gabriel Moreno became the first Latin American receiver to be crowned batting champion in the majors.

The Venezuelan led the National League with an average of .311; one point ahead of his compatriot Luis Arráez (.310), who was looking for his fourth batting title.

Moreno also became the first batting champion in the history of the Arizona Diamondbacks and only the eighth receiver in MLB history to achieve the distinction, since 1926 Bubbles Hargrave, Cincinnati Reds (.353); 1938 Ernie Lombardi, Cincinnati Reds (.342); 1942 Ernie Lombardi, Boston Braves (.330); 2006, 2008 and 2009 Joe Mauer, Minnesota twins (.347); (.329) and (.365), respectively and 2012 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (.336).

The Arizona Jingle Bells mask was one of the most outstanding hitters for the Jingle Bells, co-leading in hits (147, with Geraldo Perdomo) and doubles (33, with Corbin Carroll). He was second to the plate (83), first in OBP (.388), slugging (.486) and OPS (.874), surpassing even in these last two sections Nolan Arenado, who compiled his eighth campaign of 30 home runs and first with Arizona, reports Diario El Líder.

At the same time, he was one of four Creole masks to connect more than 15 shots (16 in total), along with Salvador Pérez (21), William Contreras (18) and Francisco Álvarez (16). In addition, he had the third most hits and the second in biangles among all major league receivers, finishing fourth in rowing.

Mazo News Team