mark canha

Mark David Canha, born on February 15, 1989, in San Jose, California, began his baseball career at Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he earned the 2007 West Coast Athletic League MVP. He continued his amateur career at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a two-time All-Pac-10 selection, hitting .333 with 22 home runs and 118 RBI during his collegiate tenure. In 2010, the Florida Marlins drafted Canha in the seventh round. He spent several years in the minor leagues, steadily progressing and developing his skills across various levels, including Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, High-A Jupiter Hammerheads, Double-A Jacksonville Suns, and Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, where he notably hit a career-high .303 with 20 home runs and 82 RBI in 2014.

Canha made his Major League Baseball debut in 2015 with the Oakland Athletics after being acquired via the Rule 5 draft. He quickly established himself, leading American League rookies in RBI with 70 that year, alongside 16 home runs. Over his tenure with the Athletics from 2015 to 2021, he accumulated several career bests, including 26 home runs, 58 RBI, 80 runs, and a .396 on-base percentage in 2019. He was also recognized as the AL Player of the Week in August 2019. Known for his ability to get on base, Canha led the majors in hit-by-pitches in 2021 (27) and 2022 (28), demonstrating his persistent plate approach. After leaving Oakland, Canha continued his MLB journey, signing with the New York Mets in 2022 and later playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, and most recently, the Kansas City Royals, before becoming a free agent.

Beyond his on-field achievements, Canha is recognized as an avid foodie, documenting his culinary experiences on his Instagram, @bigleaguefoodie. He has been a celebrity voter for Good Morning America’s United States of Pie contest and uses his platform to support causes such as LGBTQ rights, reflecting his personal values. His professional career showcases a consistent performer who has adapted to various roles and teams, contributing both offensively and defensively across different positions in the outfield and at first base.