Wilfredo Tovar


Wilfredo José Tovar Soto is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop for the Minnesota Twins. He has played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels.

Career

New York Mets

Tovar originally signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent in 2008 at age 16. He played the next six seasons in the Mets minor league system, starting in the Venezuela league and continuing through nearly every level except Triple-A.

2013

Tovar was called up to the major leagues from the Binghamton Mets of the Class AA Eastern League on September 20 after an injury to the Mets' primary shortstop, Ruben Tejada. He made his major league debut on September 22, going 2-4 with an RBI double. He ended his 2013 season in Binghamton with a.263 average, 14 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 36 RBI, 70 runs, and 12 stolen bases. With the Mets he batted.200 in 7 games in 15 at-bats with 19 plate appearances with 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored, 1 walk, 1 stolen base and 3 strikeouts.

2014

On September 23, Tovar was called up from the Binghamton Mets. Tovar appeared in 2 games with 3 at-bats in a short period in 2014. Tovar spent 2014 with the Binghamton Mets and the St. Lucie Mets. With Binghamton he batted.282 in 78 games in 255 at-bats with 72 hits, 29 RBIs, 31 runs scored, 21 walks, 8 stolen bases and 22 strikeouts. With St. Lucie he batted.353 in 5 games in 17 at-bats with 6 hits, 4 RBIs, 2 runs scored, 4 walks, 2 stolen bases and 1 strikeout.

2015

Tovar spent much of the year on the 40-man roster while with the Las Vegas 51s. On November 6, Tovar was outrighted off the 40-man roster making him a free agent. Tovar with the 51s hit.283 with three homers and 42 RBIs and had 30 steals. His season ended on August 16 because of a separated shoulder.

Minnesota Twins

Tovar signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins on December 15, 2015.

St. Louis Cardinals

On November 18, 2016, Tovar signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that included an invitation to spring training. He resigned a minor league deal on November 6, 2017. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.

Los Angeles Angels

On November 13, 2018, Tovar signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels with an invite to spring training. He did not make the team and was assigned to AAA Salt Lake Bees. On June 7, his contract was selected and he was promoted to the major league roster. On August 23, Tovar was designated for assignment. He elected free agency on October 1, 2019.

Minnesota Twins

On December 19, 2019, Tovar signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins. On July 12, 2020, it was announced that Tovar had tested positive for COVID-19.