Raul Casanova was a Puerto Rican baseball player who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He began his professional career in 1990 when he was signed by the Texas Rangers as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Rangers in 1996.
Casanova played for several teams during his career, including the Rangers, the Detroit Tigers, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the New York Mets. He was known for his strong arm and defensive skills as a catcher, and he was often used as a backup or platoon player.
Casanova's best season came in 2003 when he played for the Tigers. He appeared in 91 games and hit .277 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. He also threw out 38% of attempted base stealers, which was one of the best rates in the league that year.
Despite his solid performance in 2003, Casanova was never able to establish himself as a full-time starter in the majors. He often struggled with injuries and inconsistency, and he was frequently relegated to a backup role. He played his final MLB game in 2008 as a member of the Mets.
After his playing career ended, Casanova remained involved in baseball as a coach and instructor. He worked with several minor league teams and also served as a coach for the Puerto Rican national team. In 2019, he was named the manager of the Santurce Crabbers, a team in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
Overall, Casanova's career was characterized by his defensive prowess and versatility as a catcher. While he never became a star player, he was a reliable contributor who played for several teams over a long career.
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