Omar Narváez (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Omar Narváez

|image = Omar Narváez during pregame warmups, March 26, 2023 (2) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Narváez with the Mets in 2023

|team = Chicago White Sox

|number =

|position = Catcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|2|10}}

|birth_place = Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = July 17

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = Chicago White Sox

|statyear = April 16, 2025

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .252

|stat3label = Home runs

|stat3value = 53

|stat4label = Runs batted in

|stat4value = 206

|teams =

Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2019}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2022}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2025}})

|awards =

All-Star (2021)

}}

Omar David Narváez (born February 10, 1992) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher in the Chicago White Sox organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. He made his MLB debut in 2016 and was an All-Star in 2021.

Career

=Tampa Bay Rays=

At the age of 16, on July 4, 2008, Narváez signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.{{cite web|title=Omar Narvaez Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/narvaom01.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 22, 2017}} In 2009, he made his professional debut with the VSL Rays of the Venezuelan Summer League. In 47 games, Narváez posted a .315 batting average and 27 runs batted in (RBIs).{{cite web|title=Omar Narvaez Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=narvae001---|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 22, 2017}} He remained with the VSL Rays in 2010, batting .308 in 46 games, with one homer and 20 RBIs. Narváez also earned 27 walks compared to only 11 strikeouts.

Narváez joined the GCL Rays of the Gulf Coast League for the 2011 season. In 47 games, his average dipped to .221 and he drove in 15 runs. His batting average climbed back to .305 in 2012, when Narváez joined the Princeton Rays of the Appalachian League. In 43 games, he tallied one homer and 16 RBIs.

In 2013, Narváez was promoted above Rookie–level for the first time in his career. He joined the Hudson Valley Renegades of the Single–A New York–Penn League. He batted .267 in 39 games, driving in 13 runs.

=Chicago White Sox=

File:Catcher Omar Narváez 2017.jpg

On December 12, the Chicago White Sox selected Narváez from the Rays in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/671584/2018/11/24/how-the-white-sox-found-omar-narvaez-in-two-at-bats/ |title=How the White Sox found Omar Narváez in two at-bats |publisher=The Athletic |date= |accessdate=December 22, 2022}}

Narváez split the 2014 season between the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Winston-Salem Dash. With Kannapolis, a member of the mid Single–A South Atlantic League, Narváez saw action in 38 games. He batted .291 and drove in 20 runs. Narváez also appeared in 47 games with Winston-Salem of the high Single–A Carolina League, where he batted .279, with 2 homers, 16 RBI, 27 walks, and 21 strikeouts. Narváez played in a total of 85 games in 2014, well surpassing his prior career high of 47 appearances (in 2009 and 2011).

File:Omar Narvaez 2019 (3).jpg in 2019]]

Narváez remained with Winston-Salem for the 2015 season. He saw action in 98 games and posted a .274 average, with one home run, 27 RBI, 40 walks, and 31 strikeouts. He also appeared in 13 games for Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan Winter League. Narváez spent the 2016 season with a pair of Chicago's minor league affiliates, the AA Birmingham Barons and the AAA Charlotte Knights, as well as the parent club. He batted .222 in 13 games with Birmingham and .245 in 41 appearances for Charlotte.

Narváez was called up to the major leagues for the first time on July 6, 2016.{{cite tweet|user=whitesox|author=Chicago White Sox|number=750751410682290181|date=July 6, 2016|title=Prior to tonight's game, the #WhiteSox placed Alex Avila on the 15-day DL and purchased the contract of catcher Omar Narvaez.}} He made his MLB debut on July 17 against the Los Angeles Angels, and doubled off pitcher Jered Weaver in his first at-bat.{{cite web|title=Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Box Score, July 17, 2016|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ANA/ANA201607170.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=July 28, 2017}} Narváez hit his first MLB home run, a solo shot off Minnesota Twins reliever Pat Dean, on September 30,{{cite web|title=Twins striking out in Chicago|url=http://minnesotanewsnetwork.com/twins-striking-chicago/|website=minnesotanewsnetwork.com|publisher=Minnesota News Network|access-date=August 11, 2017|date=September 30, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox Box Score, September 30, 2016|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA201609300.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=August 11, 2017}} his father's birthday.{{cite web|last1=Hayes|first1=Dan|title=Omar Narvaez helps father celebrate his birthday in style with first home run|url=http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-white-sox/omar-narvaez-helps-father-celebrate-his-birthday-style-first-home-run|website=csnchicago.com|publisher=CSN Chicago|access-date=August 11, 2017|date=September 30, 2016}} Overall, Narváez played in 34 games for the White Sox and posted a .267 batting average with one home run and 10 RBIs.

=Seattle Mariners=

On November 30, 2018, the White Sox traded Narvaez to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Alex Colomé.{{cite web |title=White Sox acquire Colome for Narvaez |url=https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/white-sox-acquire-alex-colome-from-mariners/c-301305946 |website=MLB |access-date=November 30, 2018}} He made 132 appearances for the Mariners in 2019, batted .278/.353/.460 with 22 home runs and 55 RBI.{{cite web|url=https://www.brewcrewball.com/2019/12/5/20996755/milwaukee-brewers-omar-narvaez-seattle-mariners-trade|title=Milwaukee Brewers to acquire catcher Omar Narvaez from Seattle|website=Brew Brew Ball|publisher=SB Nation|date=December 5, 2019|author=Kyle Lesniewski|access-date=December 5, 2019}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On December 5, 2019, the Mariners traded Narváez to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Adam Hill and a competitive balance round B draft pick in the 2020 MLB draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28230702/brewers-fill-need-catcher-acquire-omar-narvaez-mariners|title=Brewers fill need at catcher, acquire Omar Narvaez from Mariners|website=ESPN.com|author=ESPN|date=December 5, 2019|access-date=December 5, 2019}} In 2020, Narváez hit .176/.294/.269 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 40 games for Milwaukee. Narváez was selected to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2021/07/10/catcher-omar-narvaez-joins-four-brewers-pitchers-nl-all-star-squad/7916987002/ |title=Catcher Omar Narváez joins four Brewers pitchers on NL all-star squad |publisher=Jsonline.com |date= |accessdate=December 22, 2022}} In 123 games for the Brewers in 2021, he batted .266/.342/.402 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI.

=New York Mets=

On December 22, 2022, Narváez signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets including a player option for 2024 worth $15 million.{{Cite web |title=Mets reach 1-year deal with catcher Narváez |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/omar-narvaez-mets-deal?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} On April 6, 2023, Narváez was diagnosed with a medium-to-high grade strain of his left calf, and given a recovery timetable of 8-to-9 weeks.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Omar Narvaez: Dealing with severe calf strain|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-omar-narvaez-dealing-with-severe-calf-strain/amp/|access-date=April 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He returned from the 60-day injured list on June 5, and assumed the backup role that was vacated when Tomás Nido was designated for assignment.{{cite news |last1=Britton |first1=Tim |title=Mets designate Tomás Nido for assignment: What's next for the veteran catcher? |url=https://theathletic.com/4582425/2023/06/05/mets-tomas-nido-dfa/ |access-date=June 7, 2023 |work=The Athletic |date=June 5, 2023}} Narváez finished the year having made 49 appearances for the Mets, with a slash line of .211/.283/.297 with two home runs and seven RBI.

On May 26, 2024, Narváez delivered a walk-off hit against the San Francisco Giants in the 9th inning, his first and only hit at Citi Field that season.[https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-rally-in-ninth-walk-off-vs-giants?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share 'We needed that': Mets flip script with big 9th-inning rally], MLB.com, May 26, 2024 He played in 28 games for New York in 2024, batting .154/.191/.185 with no home runs and five RBI. On May 31, Narváez was designated for assignment by the Mets following the acquisition of Luis Torrens.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brett-baty-optioned-to-triple-a |title=Baty, Scott optioned to Triple-A; Narváez DFA'd |last=DiComo |first=Anthony |date=May 31, 2024 |website=MLB.com |publisher= |access-date=May 31, 2024 |quote= }} He was then released by the team on June 5.{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Mets Release Omar Narvaez, Jorge Lopez |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/mets-release-omar-narvaez-jorge-lopez.html |access-date=June 5, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

= Houston Astros =

On June 26, 2024, Narváez signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2024 |title=Astros Sign Omar Narvaez To Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/astros-sign-omar-narvaez.html |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 42 games for the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he batted .196/.325/.304 with three home runs and 20 RBI. Narváez elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|access-date=January 10, 2025|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Chicago White Sox (second stint)=

On January 10, 2025, Narváez signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Sign Omar Narváez To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/white-sox-sign-omar-narvaez-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=January 10, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He was released by the White Sox prior to the start of the season on March 24.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Release Omar Narváez, Reassign Chase Meidroth|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/white-sox-release-omar-narvaez-reassign-chase-meidroth.html|access-date=March 24, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} On April 1, Narváez re-signed with the White Sox on a new minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Planning To Select Omar Narvaez|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/white-sox-planning-to-select-omar-narvaez.html|access-date=April 10, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 3 games for the Double-A Birmingham Barons, he went 2-for-8 (.250) with 2 RBI. On April 10, the White Sox selected Narváez's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Select Joshua Palacios, Omar Narvaez; Release Juan Carela|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/white-sox-select-joshua-palacios-omar-narvaez-release-juan-carela.html|access-date=April 10, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In four games for Chicago, he went 2-for-7 (.286) with three RBI and two walks. Narváez was designated for assignment following the promotion of Edgar Quero on April 17.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Designate Omar Narvaez For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/white-sox-dfa-omar-narvaez-call-up-edgar-quero-top-prospect.html|access-date=April 21, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He elected free agency after clearing waivers on April 21.{{Cite web|title=Omar Narvaez Elects Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/omar-narvaez-elects-free-agency.html|access-date=April 21, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} On April 23, Narváez re-signed with the White Sox organization on a minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Re-Sign Omar Narvaez To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/white-sox-re-sign-omar-narvaez-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=April 23, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Narváez's cousin, Carlos, also plays in MLB.{{Cite web|title=Yankees catcher Carlos Narvaez picks up hit in first major league at-bat|url=https://nypost.com/2024/07/21/sports/yankees-catcher-carlos-narvaez-notches-hit-in-first-major-league-at-bat/|access-date=October 2, 2024|website=nypost.com|language=en}}

References

External links

{{Baseballstats|mlb=553882|espn=34254|br=n/narvaom01|fangraphs=13338|brm=narvae001---|retro=N/Pnarvo001}}

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaxwBtn4T4I Venezuelan Youth Dream of Baseball Careers in US Leagues] (2010) from Voice of America via YouTube
{{Instagram|_24omar|Omar Narvaez}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Baseball players from Maracay

Category:Birmingham Barons players

Category:Bravos de Margarita players

Category:Brooklyn Cyclones players

Category:Charlotte Knights players

Category:Chicago White Sox players

Category:Gulf Coast Rays players

Category:Hudson Valley Renegades players

Category:Kannapolis Intimidators players

Category:Major League Baseball catchers