The Arizona Diamondbacks have spent the last few seasons building rosters talented enough to generate real expectations, yet the results have often fallen short of what the organization and its fans hoped to see.

Arizona missed the postseason in each of the last two years, even after reaching the World Series against the Texas Rangers in 2023. The talent has consistently been there, but the Diamondbacks have not always been able to turn that talent into sustained success.

Gabriel Moreno’s career has followed a somewhat similar path.

For years, Moreno carried the reputation of a future star. He was once regarded as a top-10 prospect in baseball, and although he consistently showed flashes of that upside, there always seemed to be more waiting to emerge.

He never truly had a bad season.

The larger question was whether he could finally put everything together over a long enough stretch to establish himself among the best catchers in baseball.

In 2026, that answer has arrived.

Moreno has developed into one of MLB’s premier backstops while producing one of the strongest offensive seasons at the position.

He first offered a glimpse of his potential during a brief stint with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022, hitting .319/.356/.377 in 25 games.

His first full season came with Arizona in 2023. He hit .284 with seven home runs and 50 RBIs in 111 games.

Although his offensive numbers were not quite as impressive, Moreno played a major role in the Diamondbacks’ surprising run to the World Series and won the National League Gold Glove.

Expectations only increased from there.

The next two seasons were frustrating largely because injuries prevented him from staying on the field consistently.

Moreno posted batting averages of .266 and .286, respectively, but failed to appear in more than 100 games in either season. As a result, questions about his durability became increasingly difficult to ignore.

That was particularly frustrating because Arizona already knew the level of talent Moreno possessed.

If he could simply stay healthy for something close to a full season, there was every reason to believe he could become one of the National League’s best catchers.

That has finally happened.

The 26-year-old is hitting .308/.385/.470 with 10 home runs, 60 RBIs and an .855 OPS in 98 games this season.

Moreno’s impact is not limited to offense, either.

Moreno has consistently been one of the National League’s best defensive catchers, and that has remained true this season.

His receiving ability, instincts behind the plate, athleticism and feel for handling a pitching staff continue to separate him from many others at the position.

His consistency has also become one of his defining qualities.

After two injury-riddled seasons, Moreno has finally been able to combine health with the all-around talent that made him such a highly regarded prospect.

He is not simply hitting well for a catcher.

He has become arguably MLB’s best offensive catcher in 2026 while continuing to provide high-level defense.

The potential was always there.

This season, Moreno has finally turned it into the complete version of the player Arizona believed it was getting.