1. Overview
Sandy David León López (born March 13, 1989), commonly known by his nickname Noah, is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher currently with the Atlanta Braves organization. A right-handed switch-hitter, León has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for multiple teams, including the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians / Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers. Throughout his career, León has been recognized for his defensive prowess as a catcher, even appearing as a pitcher in several games. He has also represented the Colombia national baseball team in international competitions.
2. Early life and background
Sandy David León López was born on March 13, 1989, in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela.
3. Professional career
Sandy León's professional baseball career began in 2007 when he signed with the Washington Nationals, leading to his Major League debut in 2012. He subsequently played for several MLB teams, contributing as a catcher and making occasional pitching appearances, and has re-signed with the Atlanta Braves for the 2025 season.
3.1. Minor league career
León signed with the Washington Nationals as an amateur free agent on January 17, 2007. He made his professional debut later that year with the Gulf Coast Nationals in the Gulf Coast League, where he spent two years. In 2009, he split his time between the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York-Penn League and the Hagerstown Suns in the South Atlantic League. He returned to the Suns for the 2010 season before being promoted to the Potomac Nationals in 2011. In 2012, prior to his first major league call-up, León also played for the Auburn Doubledays, Harrisburg Senators, and Syracuse Chiefs.
3.2. Major League Baseball career
3.2.1. Washington Nationals
León received his first Major League call-up on May 13, 2012, making his debut the following day, May 14, 2012, against the San Diego Padres. He started as the eighth batter and catcher but was forced to leave the game in the fourth inning after spraining his right ankle in a collision at home plate with Padres third baseman Chase Headley.
3.2.2. Boston Red Sox
On March 30, 2015, León was traded to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations. He was designated for assignment on July 21 and then sent to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox on July 30. He was re-added to the major league roster on September 1. During the 2015 season, León appeared in 41 games for Boston, batting .184 with no home runs and three RBIs. Defensively, he recorded a .997 fielding percentage and a 50% caught stealing percentage (10 caught stealings against 10 stolen bases allowed). He also played one game at third base. On November 6, he was removed from the 40-man roster and assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
León began the 2016 season in the minors but was promoted to Boston on June 5 after fellow catchers Ryan Hanigan and Blake Swihart were placed on the disabled list. He finished his MLB season with a .310 batting average in 78 games, hitting seven home runs and driving in 35 runs. His defense was notable, with a .998 fielding percentage and a 41% caught stealing percentage in 74 games played as catcher.
In 2017, León played in 85 games for the Red Sox, batting .225 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs.
During the 2018 season, León split time at catcher with Christian Vázquez, appearing in a career-high 89 games. He batted .177 with five home runs and 22 RBIs, and recorded his first career stolen base. Defensively, he excelled, posting a DRS of +12 (tied for second among MLB catchers that year) and a catcher's earned run average (ERA) of 3.28, which was the best among MLB catchers with over 600 innings played that season. The Red Sox achieved a 108-54 record and went on to win the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. León contributed offensively in the series, batting 3-for-6.
On March 24, 2019, León was placed on waivers, and on March 26, the Red Sox sent him outright to Triple-A Pawtucket. He accepted the assignment, opting to maintain his 2019 salary rather than becoming a free agent. His contract of 2.48 M USD was counted towards the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT). On April 16, he was added back to the major league roster when Blake Swihart was designated for assignment. León was placed on the paternity list from May 17 to May 20 following the birth of his daughter. In the 2019 season with the Red Sox, he played in 65 games, batting .192 with five home runs and 19 RBIs.
3.2.3. Cleveland Indians
On December 2, 2019, León was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league pitcher Adenys Bautista. During the shortened 2020 season, León played in 25 games, batting .136 with two home runs and four RBIs. He became a free agent after the season concluded on October 28, 2020.
3.2.4. Miami Marlins
León signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on January 3, 2021, which included an invitation to spring training. On April 21, 2021, he was selected to the active roster to fill in for the injured Jorge Alfaro. In 84 games with the Marlins, León posted a .183 batting average with four home runs and 14 RBIs. Following the 2021 season, he again became a free agent on November 3.
3.2.5. Cincinnati Reds
On November 22, 2021, León signed a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training camp with the Cleveland Guardians, who had changed their name from the Indians. However, on March 31, 2022, he opted out of his contract and became a free agent after being informed he would not make the Guardians' opening day roster. On April 15, he signed another minor league contract, this time with the Cincinnati Reds. After joining the Reds, he played for their Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats.
3.2.6. Cleveland Guardians (first return)
Due to a shortage of catchers, the Cleveland Guardians acquired León from the Reds in exchange for cash considerations on June 28, 2022. He immediately played in a doubleheader for Cleveland against the Minnesota Twins on the same day. However, León was designated for assignment on July 8, 2022. After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the minor leagues on July 10, 2022, joining the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.
3.2.7. Minnesota Twins
On August 2, 2022, León was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitcher Ian Hamilton. He was selected to the major league roster the following day after Caleb Hamilton was optioned to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. León appeared in 25 games for Minnesota, batting .179/.270/.232 with no home runs and four RBIs. On September 27, it was announced that León would undergo right knee meniscus surgery, which effectively ended his season. He became a free agent on November 6 following the season.
3.2.8. Texas Rangers
León signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization on January 11, 2023. He requested and was granted his release on March 27. The next day, he re-signed with the Rangers on a new minor league contract.
On April 10, León was selected to the active roster following an injury to Mitch Garver. He played in 22 games for Texas, hitting .146 with four RBIs before being designated for assignment on June 14. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Round Rock Express on June 17. Despite accepting the outright assignment, León requested and was granted his release from the organization on June 21.
3.2.9. Cleveland Guardians (second stint)
On July 1, 2023, León signed a minor league contract for a second stint with the Cleveland Guardians organization. In 16 games for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, he batted .220/.361/.400 with two home runs and four RBIs. León elected free agency following the season on November 6.
3.2.10. Atlanta Braves
On January 17, 2024, León signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. However, on March 23, he requested and was granted his release by the Royals.
On April 2, 2024, León signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. As of the end of the 2024 season, he was still with the Gwinnett Stripers, the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A team. On October 29, 2024, León re-signed a minor league contract with the Braves for the 2025 season.
3.3. Pitching career
Throughout his professional career, Sandy León has made occasional appearances as a pitcher, totaling eight games. In 2021, he pitched in six games for the Miami Marlins, finishing the year with a 7.50 ERA in 6 innings pitched. In 2022, while with the Cleveland Guardians, he pitched one game, not allowing any baserunners in 2 innings pitched. Finally, in 2023, he pitched one inning for the Texas Rangers, giving up two runs. Overall, León holds a career ERA of 7.00 over 9.0 innings pitched in MLB.
4. International career
Despite being of Venezuelan heritage, Sandy León chose to play for the Colombia national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He qualified to represent Colombia through his residency in the country and also because his wife is Colombian.
5. Player profile and detailed statistics
Sandy León is a right-handed switch-hitter primarily known for his defensive abilities as a catcher. His nickname is Noah.
5.1. Batting statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Plate Appearances | At Bats | Runs | Hits | Doubles | Triples | Home Runs | Total Bases | RBIs | Stolen Bases | Caught Stealing | Sacrifice Bunts | Sacrifice Flies | Walks | Hit By Pitch | Strikeouts | Double Plays | Batting Average | On-base Percentage | Slugging Percentage | On-base Plus Slugging | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | WSH | 12 | 36 | 30 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 1 | .267 | .389 | .333 | .722 |
| 2013 | WSH | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| 2014 | WSH | 20 | 70 | 64 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | .156 | .229 | .219 | .447 |
| 2015 | BOS | 41 | 128 | 114 | 8 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 4 | .184 | .238 | .202 | .439 |
| 2016 | BOS | 78 | 283 | 252 | 36 | 78 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 120 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 66 | 4 | .310 | .369 | .476 | .845 |
| 2017 | BOS | 85 | 301 | 271 | 32 | 61 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 96 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 74 | 5 | .225 | .290 | .354 | .644 |
| 2018 | BOS | 89 | 288 | 265 | 30 | 47 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 74 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 75 | 6 | .177 | .232 | .279 | .511 |
| 2019 | BOS | 65 | 191 | 172 | 14 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 51 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 47 | 0 | .192 | .251 | .297 | .548 |
| 2020 | CLE | 25 | 81 | 66 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 2 | .136 | .296 | .242 | .539 |
| 2021 | MIA | 84 | 220 | 202 | 15 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 54 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 2 | .183 | .237 | .267 | .504 |
| 2022 | CLE | 9 | 21 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | .133 | .381 | .133 | .514 |
| 2022 | MIN | 25 | 65 | 56 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | .179 | .270 | .232 | .502 |
| 2022 Total | 34 | 86 | 71 | 6 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 | .169 | .298 | .211 | .509 | |
| MLB: 11 years | 535 | 1685 | 1508 | 154 | 316 | 60 | 2 | 31 | 473 | 145 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 9 | 132 | 3 | 15 | 435 | 27 | .210 | .278 | .314 | .592 | |
5.2. Pitching statistics
| Year | Team | Appearances | Starts | Complete Games | Shutouts | Walk-Free Games | Wins | Losses | Saves | Holds | Win-Loss Percentage | Batters Faced | Innings Pitched | Hits Allowed | Home Runs Allowed | Walks | Intentional Walks | Hit Batters | Strikeouts | Wild Pitches | Balks | Runs Allowed | Earned Runs | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MIA | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 26 | 6.0 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 7.50 | 1.33 |
| 2022 | CLE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 6 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| MLB: 2 years | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 32 | 8.0 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5.63 | 1.00 | |
5.3. Fielding statistics
| Year | Team | Catcher (C) | First Baseman (1B) | Third Baseman (3B) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage | Passed Balls | Stolen Base Attempts | Stolen Bases Allowed | Caught Stealing | Caught Stealing Percentage | Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage | Games | Putouts | Assists | Errors | Double Plays | Fielding Percentage | ||
| 2012 | WSH | 12 | 73 | 5 | 1 | 1 | .987 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | .143 | - | - | ||||||||||
| 2013 | WSH | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | - | - | ||||||||||
| 2014 | WSH | 20 | 154 | 9 | 1 | 1 | .994 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 | .625 | - | - | ||||||||||
| 2015 | BOS | 37 | 258 | 28 | 1 | 4 | .997 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 10 | .500 | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | |||||
| 2016 | BOS | 74 | 561 | 35 | 1 | 6 | .998 | 7 | 34 | 20 | 14 | .412 | - | - | ||||||||||
| 2017 | BOS | 84 | 767 | 42 | 6 | 2 | .993 | 7 | 49 | 31 | 18 | .367 | - | - | ||||||||||
| 2018 | BOS | 87 | 776 | 37 | 1 | 4 | .999 | 13 | 35 | 26 | 9 | .257 | - | - | ||||||||||
| 2019 | BOS | 65 | 535 | 30 | 3 | 0 | .995 | 4 | 33 | 26 | 7 | .212 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | - | |||||
| 2020 | CLE | 24 | 213 | 14 | 5 | 0 | .978 | 0 | 11 | 9 | 2 | .182 | - | - | ||||||||||
| MLB | 404 | 3339 | 200 | 19 | 18 | .995 | 37 | 197 | 131 | 66 | .335 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ---- | |
5.4. Uniform numbers
Sandy León has worn various uniform numbers throughout his professional career:
- 41 (2012-2014)
- 3 (2015-2019)
- 9 (2020)
- 7 (2021)
- 4 (2022, first stint with Cleveland Guardians)
- 39 (2022, second stint with Cleveland Guardians)
6. Personal life
Sandy León is married and has two children: a son born in 2017, and a daughter born in May 2019. He is a Christian.