Gabriel Moreno

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Gabriel Moreno

|image =

|image_size =

|caption = Moreno with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022

|team = Arizona Diamondbacks

|number = 14

|position = Catcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|2|14|mf=y}}

|birth_place = Barquisimeto, Venezuela

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 11

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

|statyear = April 15, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .277

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 13

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 104

|teams =

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2022}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2023}}–present)

|awards =

Gold Glove Award (2023)

}}

Gabriel José Moreno (born February 14, 2000) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 before being traded to the Diamondbacks during the 2022–23 offseason. In his first season with Arizona, Moreno won a Gold Glove Award and aided in the team's first National League pennant since 2001.

Professional career

=Toronto Blue Jays=

Moreno signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent on August 13, 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/1151238/2019/08/21/physically-hes-got-it-converted-infielder-gabriel-moreno-morphs-into-blue-jays-top-catching-prospect/|title='Physically, he's got it': Converted infielder Gabriel Moreno morphs into Blue Jays' top catching prospect|first=John|last=Lott|website=The Athletic}} Moreno made his professional debut in 2017 with the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Blue Jays. In 2018, Moreno split the year between the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and the Rookie Advanced Bluefield Blue Jays, slashing a cumulative .359/.395/.575 with four home runs and 36 RBI.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=moreno000gab|title = Gabriel Moreno Minor, Winter & Fall Leagues Statistics & History}} The following year, Moreno played for the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts, hitting .280/.337/.485 with career-highs in home runs (12), RBI (52), stolen bases (7), and walks (22).

Moreno did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=June 28, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}} The Blue Jays added him to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-rule-5-draft-protection-2020|title=Blue Jays protect five from Rule 5 Draft|website=MLB.com}}

Moreno was assigned to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats to begin the 2021 season, where he excelled, batting .373/.441/.651 with eight home runs and 45 RBI in 32 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2021/09/19/gabriel-moreno-orelvis-martinez-are-the-top-prospects-in-the-blue-jays-pipeline.html|title=Gabriel Moreno, Orelvis Martinez are the top prospects in the Blue Jays' pipeline|last=Armstrong|first=Laura|work=thestar.com|date=September 19, 2021|accessdate=April 3, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/talent/blue-jays-might-have-real-deal-in-electric-moreno-1.1651498|title=Blue Jays might have real deal in 'electric' Moreno|last=Mitchell|first=Scott|work=TSN.ca|date=June 8, 2021|accessdate=April 3, 2022}} On July 3, 2021, Moreno underwent surgery on his right thumb after suffering a fracture.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-prospect-gabriel-moreno-injured|title=Notes: Prospect Moreno hurt; Jansen, Kirk|last=Matheson|first=Keegan|work=MLB.com|date=June 30, 2021|accessdate=April 3, 2022}} Moreno returned from the injury later in the season and was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-promote-top-prospect-gabriel-moreno-triple-buffalo/|title=Blue Jays promote top prospect Gabriel Moreno to triple-A Buffalo|work=Sportsnet|date=September 21, 2021|accessdate=April 3, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2021/09/21/blue-jays-top-prospect-gabriel-moreno-moves-one-step-closer-to-big-leagues.html|title=Blue Jays top prospect Gabriel Moreno moves one step closer to big leagues|last=Armstrong|first=Laura|work=thestar.com|date=September 21, 2021|accessdate=April 3, 2022}} After the season, he played for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .329 with a home run and 18 RBI in 22 games, as well as 18 games with the Cardenales de Lara of the Venezuelan Winter League.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/gabriel-moreno-grows-leadership-skills-versatility/|title=Gabriel Moreno Grows Leadership Skills, Versatility|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=baseballamerica.com|date=November 4, 2021|accessdate=April 3, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/history-elite-young-catchers-tells-us-jays-prospect-gabriel-moreno/|title=What the history of elite young catchers tells us about Jays prospect Gabriel Moreno|last=Ashbourne|first=Nick|work=Sportsnet|date=November 19, 2021|accessdate=April 3, 2022}}

In March 2022, Moreno participated in spring training with the Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/gabriel-moreno-blue-jays-spring-training-arrival-prospect|title=Hype Builds as Blue Jays Top Prospect Gabriel Moreno Arrives at Spring Training|last=Bannon|first=Mitch|work=si.com|date=March 25, 2022|accessdate=April 3, 2022}} He began the 2022 season with Buffalo.{{cite web | url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/baseball/bisons-notebook-the-wait-is-on-for-top-blue-jays-catching-prospect-gabriel-moreno/article_5a5a8f2e-b459-11ec-9b6e-ff50d3a706ec.html | title=Bisons Notebook: The wait is on for top Blue Jays catching prospect Gabriel Moreno | date=April 4, 2022 }}

Moreno joined the Blue Jays in Detroit on June 9, 2022, following an injury sustained by catcher Danny Jansen,{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/opinion/2022/06/09/the-jays-gabriel-moreno-is-supposed-to-be-the-next-cant-miss-prospect-but-prospects-miss.html | title=Opinion | the Jays' Gabriel Moreno is supposed to be the next can't-miss prospect, but prospects miss | newspaper=The Toronto Star | date=June 9, 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-top-prospect-gabriel-moreno-joining-team-for-series-against-tigers/ | title=Blue Jays giving top prospect Gabriel Moreno an opportunity to showcase himself }} but was not activated until June 11, when he was added to the day's starting line-up at the catcher position and batting eighth in the order.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-officially-recall-catcher-gabriel-moreno-ahead-of-mlb-debut/ | title=Blue Jays officially recall catcher Gabriel Moreno ahead of MLB debut }}{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/gabriel-moreno-call-up-toronto-blue-jays-major-league-debut-1.1811768|title=Blue Jays officially call up top prospect Moreno|work=TSN.ca|date=June 11, 2022|accessdate=June 11, 2022}} He was slashing .324/.380/.404 in 36 games with the Bisons prior to his call up.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/steve-phillips-gabriel-moreno-a-low-risk-promotion-for-toronto-blue-jays-1.1811300|title=Moreno a low-risk promotion for Blue Jays|last=Phillips|first=Steve|work=TSN.ca|date=June 10, 2022|accessdate=June 11, 2022}}

Moreno earned his first major league hit on June 11, 2022, a single, in his fourth at-bat of the day.{{cite tweet|number=1535758190121467905|user=BlueJays|title=The kid can hit 🔥 There's Gabriel Moreno's FIRST as a Major Leaguer 👏|date=June 11, 2022}}{{cite news | title=Blue Jays fall to Tigers in top prospect Gabriel Moreno's MLB debut| website=CBC | date=June 11, 2022 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-detroit-tigers-recap-june-11-1.6485700 | access-date=May 20, 2023}}{{cite web | url=https://www.tsn.ca/gabriel-moreno-toronto-blue-jays-detroit-tigers-1.1811862 | title=Moreno gets hit in debut; Jays fall to Tigers - TSN.ca | date=June 11, 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/analysis/blue-jays-gabriel-moreno-debut-heroes-venezuela-miguel-cabrera | title=Gabriel Moreno's Heroes, Helpers, Home and Blue Jays Debut | date=June 11, 2022 }} On October 5, Moreno hit his first career home run, a three–run shot off of Baltimore Orioles reliever Mike Baumann.{{Cite web|title=WATCH: Blue Jays' top prospect Gabriel Moreno hits first career MLB home run|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/watch-blue-jays-top-prospect-gabriel-moreno-hits-first-career-mlb-home-run/amp/|access-date=June 28, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

File:Arizona Diamondbacks (240618-A-LT474-1073) (cropped).jpg during a Diamondbacks game in 2024]]

On December 23, 2022, the Blue Jays traded Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Daulton Varsho.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/daulton-varsho-traded-to-blue-jays|title=OF/C Varsho acquired by Blue Jays for Gurriel, Moreno|publisher=Toronto Blue Jays|date=December 23, 2022|accessdate=December 23, 2022}}

==2023==

After backing up Carson Kelly to start the 2023 season, Moreno became the Diamondbacks' primary catcher midway through the season after Kelly was designated for assignment.{{cite web |title=D-backs DFA catcher Carson Kelly as Gabriel Moreno activated |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38185716/d-backs-dfa-catcher-carson-kelly-gabriel-moreno-activated |website=ESPN |access-date=March 31, 2024}} In his first full season in MLB, Moreno finished with a 3.1 defensive WAR, the highest in the majors. Moreno also caught 39% of potential base-stealers, which was the best in all of MLB (minimum 20 attempts), and he led all MLB catchers in defensive runs saved with 20.{{cite web |last1=Oliver |first1=Jake |title=A Look at Gabriel Moreno's Growth Over Past Season |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/news/a-look-at-gabriel-morenos-growth-over-past-season |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=March 31, 2024}} With his offense, he had a slash line of .284/.339/.408 with seven homers, 50 runs batted in, and six stolen bases.{{cite web |title=Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Knocks in three runs in rout |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/diamondbacks-gabriel-moreno-knocks-in-three-runs-in-rout/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=March 31, 2024}} Moreno was awarded the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for National League catchers.{{cite web |last1=Gilbert |first1=Steve |title=Moreno wins 1st, Walker captures 2nd straight NL Gold Glove |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/gabriel-moreno-christian-walker-2023-gold-glove-awards |website=MLB.com |access-date=March 31, 2024}}

On October 7, 2023, in game 1 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Moreno hit a three-run home run off Clayton Kershaw in the first inning to blow the game wide open that extended his team's lead from two to five runs before Kershaw recorded the first out, scoring Tommy Pham and Christian Walker.{{cite web|last=Guardado|first=Maria|title=Moreno: Game 1 HR off Kershaw 'a dream come true'|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/gabriel-moreno-homers-off-clayton-kershaw-in-six-run-first-in-nlds-game-1|website=MLB.com|date=October 7, 2023|access-date=January 27, 2024}} In game 3, Moreno was one of four Diamondbacks hitters to hit a home run in the third inning off Dodgers pitcher Lance Lynn. After his first initial home run was deemed foul, Moreno sent the next pitch he saw over the left field wall, covering 420 feet.{{cite web |title=Diamondbacks 1st team to homer 4 times in postseason inning with big 3rd vs. Dodgers |url=https://apnews.com/article/diamondbacks-homers-perdomo-marte-walker-moreno-a04d774b4b90d40e5dbc20de7ca3ed81 |website=AP News |access-date=March 31, 2024}}

After the Diamondbacks went down 2–0 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS, Moreno was moved up from fifth to third in the batting lineup.{{cite web |last1=Toribio |first1=Juan |title=Moved up in lineup, Moreno provides G4-winning hit |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/gabriel-moreno-gets-game-winning-hit-in-nlcs-game-4 |website=MLB.com |access-date=March 31, 2024}} With Moreno hitting third, the Diamondbacks won four of the next five games to clinch their first National League pennant and their first World Series appearance since 2001, with Moreno driving home the game-winning runs in games 4 and 7.{{cite web |last1=Kepner |first1=Tyler |title=How catcher Gabriel Moreno became a ‘difference maker’ for the Diamondbacks |url=https://theathletic.com/5318660/2024/03/06/gabriel-moreno-arizona-diamondbacks-catcher/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=March 31, 2024}} In game 2 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers, Moreno hit a home run in the Diamondbacks 9–1 victory, their lone victory of the series.{{cite web |title=Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks jump on Rangers’ Montgomery in World Series Game 2 |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3537060/gabriel-moreno-diamondbacks-rangers-world-series-game-2/ |website=arizonasports.com |access-date=March 31, 2024}}

==2024==

On August 5, 2024, Moreno suffered a left groin strain and was removed from the game. He was later placed on the 10-day injured list with a left adductor strain.{{cite web |title=Gabriel Moreno (groin) exits Diamondbacks' win, put on IL |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40739629/diamondbacks-catcher-moreno-leaves-game-injured |website=ESPN.com |access-date=August 29, 2024}}