Even with just three starts this past week, there was no other choice. Yohel Pozo is your St. Louis Cardinals Player of the Week.
The numbers were strong, sure. But it’s the story behind them that makes this week unforgettable. Pozo’s path back to the big leagues has been anything but easy, and now, at 27, he’s making the most of every pitch, every at-bat, and every moment in the spotlight.
Covid Hangover for Yohel Pozo
Originally signed by the Texas Rangers out of Venezuela in 2013, Pozo’s early career had promise, but timing dealt him a brutal hand. After a season in High-A ball, he was still developing as a hitter when COVID-19 shut down the 2020 season—a lost year for many, but for Pozo, it was even more devastating.
During that same time, tragedy struck. His infant son suffered a stroke. No baseball, no paycheck, and no health insurance. In a desperate effort to keep his son alive and afford medical care, Pozo and his family lived out of their car. His son pulled through, and ever since, Pozo’s family has traveled with him. Pozo refuses to be far if something ever happens again.
Fast forward to 2025. This was Pozo’s first appearance in the majors since 2021, when he spent most of the year in Triple-A and was used primarily as a DH during his short MLB stint. Back then, he was 24. Now, he’s 27, and with Iván Herrera on the injured list, he’s seizing the opportunity like a man on a mission.
Present Day
On Monday, Pozo went deep in a game the St. Louis Cardinals dropped.
He’s not only impressing in the batter’s box, but behind the plate as well. Matthew Liberatore credited him with making key in-game adjustments that helped settle things down. Oh, and he also gunned down a would-be base stealer—adding a defensive gem to his stat line.
On Friday, Yohel Pozo kept the momentum going. He delivered a clutch double to drive in the first run—not technically a hit with runners in scoring position, but it got the job done. He added two more hits in a 3-for-4 performance, standing out in a game where the Cardinals’ bats struggled.
On Sunday, he did it again—another double, another RBI, helping seal the win while going 1-for-4. It wasn’t flashy, but hopefully a sign of things to come.
Let’s be real: Pozo will be back in the minors once Herrera returns. But if this past week is any indication, he’s not going quietly. He’s making the decision as hard as possible, and he’s reminding everyone why you never count out a grinder with something to prove.
Yohel Pozo isn’t just this week’s standout—he’s the heartbeat of the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse right now.
