David Bañuelos Bio
David Clemente Bañuelos is an American professional baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles. Bañuelos was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2017 and has had a varied career in the minor leagues, showcasing his talent as a catcher.
Early Life and Background
David Bañuelos was born on October 1, 1996. He attended Damien High School in La Verne, California, where he excelled in baseball, graduating in 2014. As a senior, he achieved a batting average of .395, hitting four home runs and driving in 24 runs batted in (RBIs). After high school, he enrolled at California State University, Long Beach, where he played college baseball for the Long Beach State Dirtbags. Bañuelos became the starting catcher for the Dirtbags during his sophomore year in 2016.
Path to Baseball
Following his college career, David Bañuelos played collegiate summer baseball for the Bellingham Bells in the West Coast League during the summer of 2016. In 2017, he had a standout season, batting .289 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs, earning recognition as a First-Team All-American by Baseball America and being named a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award. His impressive performance in college led to his selection in the 2017 MLB Draft.
David Bañuelos Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
David Bañuelos was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, being the 153rd overall pick. He signed with the Mariners and received a $300,000 signing bonus. Bañuelos made his professional debut with the Low-A Everett AquaSox, where he played in 36 games and posted a batting average of .236 with four home runs and 26 RBIs. In December 2017, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins as part of a deal to sign Shohei Ohtani. Bañuelos spent the 2018 season with the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels, where he batted .220 with two home runs and 22 RBIs.
Breakthrough (2021-2023)
Bañuelos began the 2019 season with Cedar Rapids before being promoted to the High-A Fort Myers Miracle. However, he struggled at the plate, finishing the season with a .177 batting average. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season, which limited his opportunities that year. In 2021, he played for the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge and Triple-A St. Paul Saints, batting .201 with three home runs and 18 RBIs over 45 games. In 2022, he continued with Triple-A St. Paul, hitting .204 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 55 games. His performance improved significantly in 2023, where he played for Double-A Wichita, achieving career highs with a .270 batting average, 10 home runs, and 30 RBIs.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, David Bañuelos has shown resilience and determination. His notable achievement includes being named a First-Team All-American and his significant improvement in 2023, which led to his free agency following the season.
David Bañuelos Award Nominations
Throughout his career, David Bañuelos has received recognition for his performance, including being a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award during his college career.
David Bañuelos Awards Won
David Bañuelos has not yet won any major awards in his professional baseball career, but his achievements in college baseball, including being named a First-Team All-American, highlight his potential.
David Bañuelos Family
There is limited public information available regarding David Bañuelos’ family background or personal life.
Personal Life
As of now, David Bañuelos is focused on his professional baseball career and is currently a free agent, having recently played for the Baltimore Orioles. He has not publicly disclosed details about his personal relationships or family.