Yorvit Adolfo Torrealba ([ʝoɾˈβittoreˈalβa]; born July 19, 1978) is a Venezuelan former professionalbaseballcatcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSan Francisco Giants,Seattle Mariners,Colorado Rockies,San Diego Padres,Texas Rangers,Toronto Blue Jays andMilwaukee Brewers. He bats and throws right-handed.

Yorvit Torrealba
Torrealba with the Colorado Rockies
Catcher
Born: (1978-07-19)July 19, 1978 (age 46) Caracas,Venezuela
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 5, 2001, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
September 25, 2013, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
Batting average	.256
Home runs	56
Runs batted in	339
Stats atBaseball Reference
Teams
San Francisco Giants (2001–2005) Seattle Mariners (2005) Colorado Rockies (2006–2009) San Diego Padres (2010) Texas Rangers (2011–2012) Toronto Blue Jays (2012) Milwaukee Brewers (2012) Colorado Rockies (2013)

Torrealba signed with theSan Francisco Giants as a minor leaguefree agent on September 14, 1994. He made his major league debut with the Giants on September 5, 2001, as a September call up. His first major league hit was a triple.^[1] No other MLB player would record a triple for his first MLB hit until Jason Perry in 2008. Torrealba became the Giants back up catcher for the 2002 season after a strong spring training. During Torrealba's early career, his defensive abilities were his key strength, particularly his ability to throw out baserunners. He had 136 at-bats in 2001 and 200 in 2002.^[2] During the 2002 postseason, Torrealba would still serve as the backup catcher although he made no appearances as the Giants lost the2002 World Series to theAnaheim Angels.

Yorvit showed some potential, but whenBenito Santiago left viafree agency in2003, the Giants opted to trade forA. J. Pierzynski rather than test Torrealba as a full-time player.^[3] He continued to serve as the backup catcher when the Giants signedMike Matheny prior to the2005 season; in fact, he played less than when Pierzynski was the starter. Torrealba expressed frustration over his lack of playing time to the media more than once, saying he believed he was capable of playing every day.^[4] ManagerFelipe Alou publicly discussed the possibility of converting Torrealba into a utility player to get him more playing time, but that never came to pass.

Torrealba was traded, along withpitcherJesse Foppert, to the Seattle Mariners foroutfielderRandy Winn at the trading deadline of the 2005 season.^[3] The Mariners were in the midst of a 93-loss season and were rebuilding, and Torrealba competed for the opportunity to be Seattle's starting catcher.

After the 2005 season, theSeattle Mariners traded Torrealba to theColorado Rockies forMarcos Carvajal after signingKenji Johjima to be their starting catcher.^[5] With the Rockies, Torrealba had a chance to be the starting catcher, but lost the job after he was injured prior to the 2006 season, establishingDanny Ardoin as the Rockies starting catcher. Torrealba's injury was a lingering shoulder injury that was caused byovertraining.^[3]

During November 2007, rumors that Torrealba would sign with the Mets intensified. Torrealba and the Mets agreed on a deal for $14.4 million over three years.^[6] The deal had seemed to be done, but with the failing of Yorvit's physical he was never sent to New York.^[7][8] Torrealba would later file a grievance against the Mets.^[9] On November 29, 2007, he re-signed with the Rockies.^[10]

Torrealba began the2007 season for the Rockies platooning with rookie catcherChris Iannetta. When Iannetta struggled, Torrealba won the starting job. On May 29, 2007, against theSt. Louis Cardinals, Torrealba hit agrand slam, the 3rd of his career. He finished the season with a .255 average and 47 RBIs in 396 at-bats and he threw out only 17 percent of potential base-stealers, down from his success in previous seasons.^[2] Torrealba had some big hits for the Rockies during late 2007, when the Rockies won 12 of their last 13 to force aone-game playoff against theSan Diego Padres, which the Rockies won. Torrealba homered offJake Peavy in that game.^[11] Torrealba also hit a 3-run home run off of former teammateLiván Hernández in Game 3 of the2007 National League Championship Series.^[12] Torrealba led the Rockies to the World Series for the first time ever but lost the series to theBoston Red Sox in a 4-game sweep.^[13]

Through the 2007 season, Torrealba posted a career .251batting average with 30home runs and 173RBIs in 440 games.^[14] As a catcher, he compiled a .997fielding average with only seventeenerrors in 2587chances; Torrealba's defense has been above average throughout his career. He has thrown out over 32% of all baserunners attempting to steal. His ability to throw out runners was a career low 19.7% in 2007. Due to his impressive postseason play, Torrealba has recently been dubbed "Mr. Rocktober."^[2]

Torrealba has an unusual throwing motion, as he brings his hand to earside and then snaps his arm in a quick motion, although it seems to work for him, given his success at throwing out baserunners.

On November 6, 2009, the Rockies decided to go with youngsterChris Iannetta as their primary catcher and declined their 2010 contract option with Torrealba, making him a free agent.^[15]

On February 9, 2010, Torrealba and theSan Diego Padres signed a one-year contract with a mutual option for a second year.^[16] In 2010, he batted .271, and led the league's catchers in fielding percentage, at .996.^[17] Following the season, Torrealba declined the option, but was later offered arbitration by the Padres.^[18]

Torrealba agreed to a two-year contract with theTexas Rangers for $6.25 million.^[19] Torrealba homered in his second game with his new team.

In 2011, he batted .273 with 7 home runs.^[17] On defense, he was third in the league in errors by a catcher, totalling 9 errors.^[17] Torrealba led the Rangers into the postseason until the team lost the2011 World Series against theSt. Louis Cardinals.^[20]

On July 30, 2012, Torrealba was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers^[21] He was released on August 8, 2012.^[22]

On August 14, 2012, Torrealba signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays, and reported to theNew Hampshire Fisher Cats.^[23] Torrealba was added to the 40 man roster and called up to theBlue Jays on August 21.^[24] On August 22, Torrealba played first base for the first time in his career.^[25]

On September 21, 2012, Torrealba was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations or aplayer to be named later.^[26] He ended up appearing in five games for the Brewers, going 0-for-5 at the plate with one walk.^[27]

On January 24, 2013, Torrealba signed a minor league contract with theColorado Rockies.^[28] He had his contract selected to the major league roster on March 29. In 61 games, Torrealba batted .240 and had 8 doubles and 16 RBIs for the Rockies.^[29]

On January 31, 2014, Torrealba signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.^[30] He was released on March 23.^[31]

On June 12, 2014, Torrealba signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs.^[32] He was released on July 17.^[33]

Torrealba's parents gave him his name when they could not decide between Yorman and Victor. They decided to combine the two into "Yorvit".^[34] Torrealba's parents still reside in Venezuela.

Torrealba has two sons named Yorvis Eduardo Torrealba (1997) and Julian Xavier Houston-Torrealba (2000).^[35] In June 2009, Yorvit Torrealba was unexpectedly placed on the Rockies' restricted list. On June 4, 2009, it was announced that the reason for his absence was that his 11-year-old son and "his two uncles" had been kidnapped. The abductors set Yorvis and the other family members free without picking up the $50,000 that had been agreed upon. He then moved his son out of Venezuela to Miami.^[36] Yorvis Eduardo tossed the first pitch in the third game of the 2009 National League Division Series against the Phillies,^[37] and he was drafted by the Rockies in the 20th round of the2019 MLB draft.^[38]

On December 23, 2011, while playing for theLeones del Caracas in theVenezuelan Winter League regular season, Torrealba argued heatedly following astrikeout. He then was ejected by umpire Dario Rivero, Jr. Before leaving, he delivered a shot to Rivero in the head. Torrealba claimed that his attack on the umpire was because of a disputed strike call prior to striking out. As a result, the league suspended Torrealba for 66 games, which did not carry over toMajor League Baseball or any other baseball circuit.^[39]

• List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball

• Career statistics fromMLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet 
• Yorvit Torrealba onTwitter