Paul Hoover (baseball)

Paul Hoover (born April 14, 1976) is an American former professional baseball catcher and current coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Miami Marlins from 2001 to 2013.

Hoover attended Purdue University, where he played college baseball for the Boilermakers. He was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 23rd round of the 1997 MLB draft.

During his major league career, Hoover was primarily a backup catcher, known for his defensive skills and ability to handle pitching staffs. He was not a particularly strong offensive player, but he provided valuable depth behind the plate. He played in 274 MLB games, accumulating a .205 batting average, 7 home runs, and 43 RBIs.

After his playing career ended, Hoover transitioned into coaching. He has held various coaching positions within the Miami Marlins organization, including minor league manager and catching instructor. In 2020, he was named the Marlins' Major League field coordinator. In 2023, he was named the Marlins' third base coach.