José Gregorio Herrera Bio
José Gregorio Herrera is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who has played at the Major League Baseball level. Born on February 24, 1997, Herrera began his professional career in 2014 and eventually reached MLB with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he served primarily as a backup catcher. Following his time with the Diamondbacks organization, Herrera joined the Texas Rangers in December 2025 on a minor league contract. Throughout his career, Herrera has been recognized as a solid defensive catcher and a positive clubhouse presence.
Early Life and Background
José Gregorio Herrera hails from Venezuela, a country renowned for producing elite baseball talent. Herrera grew up immersed in baseball, the national pastime of his homeland. His passion for the sport developed at a young age, and his journey toward professional baseball began long before he signed his first professional contract. Specific details about his upbringing, family background, and early baseball influences remain limited in publicly available sources.
Path to Professional Baseball
Herrera’s talent caught the attention of Major League scouts, leading to his signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international free agent. The Diamondbacks signed Herrera on July 8, 2013, marking the beginning of his professional baseball journey. He made his professional debut in 2014, appearing with the rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks and the rookie-level Missoula Osprey. This initial exposure to professional competition provided Herrera with foundational experience in the minor leagues.
In 2015, Herrera demonstrated his offensive capabilities with the Arizona League Diamondbacks, hitting .304 with a .415 on-base percentage and a .380 slugging percentage in 24 games. The following season with Missoula, he continued to develop his skills, posting a slash line of .277/.351/.438 with 5 home runs and 18 RBI in 36 games. These early performances showcased Herrera’s potential as an everyday catcher at the professional level.
José Gregorio Herrera Career
Minor League Development (2014–2021)
Herrera split the 2017 season between the Arizona League Diamondbacks and the Single-A Kane County Cougars, spending the majority of his time with Kane County. In 66 combined games across both affiliates, he slashed .227/.291/.318 with one home run and 29 RBI. The 2018 season presented challenges when Herrera was suspended 50 games after testing positive for methylhexaneamine and oxilofrine, substances banned under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension limited him to just 38 games that year.
In 2019, Herrera rebounded by splitting the season between Kane County and the High-A Visalia Rawhide. He delivered a solid performance, slashing .252/.383/.371 with 5 home runs and 43 RBI in 90 total games. The 2020 season was lost entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the cancellation of the minor league season. Herrera returned in 2021, splitting time between the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles and the Triple-A Reno Aces. He posted a combined batting line of .258/.364/.422 with career-highs of 11 home runs and 57 RBI, solidifying his status as a prospect worthy of a major league roster spot.
Arizona Diamondbacks MLB Career (2022–2025)
The Diamondbacks added Herrera to their 40-man roster on November 8, 2021, following his standout Triple-A campaign. He made the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster in 2022 as the backup catcher behind Carson Kelly. Herrera made his Major League Baseball debut on April 9, 2022, starting behind the plate against the San Diego Padres. He struggled at the plate early, going 0-for-13 to begin his MLB career before recording his first hit on April 22. In 47 games during his rookie season, Herrera hit .189/.250/.207 with no home runs and 5 RBI.
The 2023 season saw Herrera appear in 43 games for the Diamondbacks, batting .208/.296/.257 with no home runs and 7 RBI. He began the 2024 season with Triple-A Reno but was called up when starting catcher Gabriel Moreno landed on the injured list. Herrera split catching duties with Adrian Del Castillo during the stint, ultimately batting .227/.290/.320 with one home run and 13 RBI over 42 games. His versatility and dependability as a secondary catcher became valuable assets for the Diamondbacks throughout his tenure.
In what became his most extensive MLB action, Herrera made 57 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2025, slashing .187/.285/.259 with two home runs and 17 RBI across a career-high 202 plate appearances. His final major league hit came in the form of a two-run home run at Coors Field in Denver. Herrera received praise from manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen, who described him as a good teammate and a “true Arizona Diamondback” during spring training. Arizona designated Herrera for assignment on August 22, 2025, upon Gabriel Moreno’s return from the injured list. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno on August 25, where he completed the season. Herrera elected free agency on October 3, 2025.
Texas Rangers (2025–Present)
Following his departure from the Diamondbacks organization, Herrera found a new home with the Texas Rangers. On December 15, 2025, Herrera signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. The move represented a fresh opportunity for the veteran catcher to compete for a roster spot within a different major league organization and continue his professional baseball career.
José Gregorio Herrera Career Statistics
Throughout his Major League Baseball career spanning four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Herrera established himself as a reliable backup catcher with modest offensive contributions and solid defensive capabilities. His career totals reflect his role as a defensively-focused player who contributed primarily as a secondary receiver and clubhouse presence.
MLB Career Highlights
Herrera’s most productive MLB season came in 2025, when he set career highs across nearly every major statistical category. His 57 appearances and 202 plate appearances both represented single-season bests, while his 17 RBI and two home runs topped his previous career totals. The 2024 campaign also provided memorable moments, including a mid-season call-up that saw him contribute meaningfully during a crucial stretch for the Diamondbacks. Across parts of four major league seasons, Herrera never developed into a consistent offensive threat but remained valued for his defensive work and professionalism.
| Season | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 47 | 148 | 28 | 0 | 5 | .189 |
| 2023 | 43 | 120 | 25 | 0 | 7 | .208 |
| 2024 | 42 | 97 | 22 | 1 | 13 | .227 |
| 2025 | 57 | 182 | 34 | 2 | 17 | .187 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented both a significant opportunity and a challenging year for Herrera with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Entering spring training, he had earned the respect of the organization following years of faithful service and solid defensive work. The Diamondbacks gave him an extended look in a backup role, providing him with more playing time than any previous season in his major league career.
Herrera appeared in 57 games, establishing new career highs in plate appearances and RBI while matching his career best in home runs with two. His two-run home run at Coors Field in Denver stood as a highlight of his offensive production. Manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen consistently praised Herrera’s approach and professionalism, acknowledging his value as a team player who contributed positively to the clubhouse environment. Despite the increased opportunity, Herrera’s offensive output remained modest at .187, reflecting the challenges of consistent production at the major league level.
The season took a turn when the Diamondbacks needed to clear roster space following Gabriel Moreno’s return from the injured list. Arizona designated Herrera for assignment on August 22, demonstrating the difficult roster decisions that characterize professional baseball. After clearing waivers and accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Reno, Herrera finished the season in the minor leagues before electing free agency. His 2025 campaign, while imperfect, provided him with valuable experience and demonstrated his ability to handle an expanded role when called upon.