Javier Sanoja

Javier Ernesto Sanoja

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 7", Weight 150 lb.

• Debut September 7, 2024

• Born September 3, 2002 in Maracay, Aragua Venezuela

BR page

Biographical Information

Javier Sanoja made his major league debut with the Miami Marlins as a pinch-hitter on September 7, 2024, four days after celebrating his 22nd birthday. In the minor leagues he split his time between the infield and the outfield, with second base and centerfield being his most common positions, although he saw significant time at shortstop as well. He hit .229 in 15 games in his first taste of the majors.

In 2025, he spent a full season with the Marlins, playing 118 games and hitting .243 with 6 homers and 38 RBIs, for an OPS+ of 87. His biggest contribution was on defense, as he won the National League Gold Glove for utility players. He played 41 games at third base, 35 in left field, 34 at second base, 14 in center field and 10 at shortstop, doing well at all of those positions, which made him a very valuable bench player. He was also the Marlins' go-to guy when in need of someone to pitch mop-up relief in a blowout, doing so 8 times during the season. Apart from being willing to take on the unpleasant duty which is normally reserved for a team's back-up catcher, he was not particularly good at it, as he allowed 17 runs on 24 hits and 5 walks in 9 1/3 innings.

He was a member of the Venezuelan national team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. As was the case in Miami, he was a bench player, getting just 8 at-bats in the tournament (and 3 hits). He did play a key role in Venezuela winning the title, however, as in the 9th inning of the finale against the United States in his home ballpark of loanDepot Park on March 17th, he replaced Luis Arráez as a pinch-runner at first base after he had drawn a lead-off walk with game tied, 2-2. He promptly stole second base, then came in to score what turned out to be the winning run on a double by Eugenio Suárez. It was Venezuela's first world title in baseball since the 1945 Amateur World Series.

Notable Achievements

• NL Gold Glove Winner (2025/UT)

Further Reading

• Max Ralph: "This clutch steal led to Venezuela's Classic-winning run", mlb.com, March 18, 2026. [1]

Related Sites

• Javier Sanoja on mlb.com