Nolan Arenado

At 33 years old, Nolan Arenado has this physical status:

Nolan James Arenado (born April 16, 1991) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB).

In 2013, he made his MLB debut with the Rockies.

Arenado has been praised both for his contributions as a hitter for power and average, as well as his defensive range and arm strength.

He is the only infielder to win the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in each of his first seven MLB seasons. Arenado, a native of Newport Beach, California, attended El Toro High School in nearby Lake Forest before being the Rockies' second-round pick in the 2009 MLB draft.

The five-time MLB All-Star's most notable achievements (in addition to his seven Gold Gloves) include three consecutive Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards for his work, as well as three consecutive Rawlings Platinum Gloves.

He has twice led the league in both home runs and runs batted in (RBI), and currently leads all major leaguers in RBI since the 2015 season. Arenado made the minor leagues in RBI in 2011 with 155 over 163 total games during his minor league career, and was a two-time All-Star Futures Game pick.

Arenado was the youngest player in the Rockies to reach 100 home runs in 2016.

He competed for the United States national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC), winning Team USA's first gold medal in a WBC tournament.

He hit the cycle on June 18, 2017, becoming the sixth player to complete with a walk-off home run in the history.

In 2017, he became the 11th major leaguer and the first third baseman to drive in 130 or more runs in three seasons.

Personal life

Laura Kwan, Arenado's high school sweetheart, married him in December 2019. In August 2022, the couple's first child, a daughter, was born.

Adrián Beltré of the Texas Rangers and Rockies teammate and outfielder Matt Holliday are Arenado's favorite players. Arenado was told that he tries to imitate Holliday's swing "because he stayed through the game so much."

Vin Scully, the long-serving Dodgers' play-by-play announcer, signed the bat for his 40th home run of 2016 and his final series of calling Dodgers' home games.

Josh Fuentes, Arenado's cousin, has played as a third baseman for the Colorado Rockies.

Scott Boras, Arenado's agent, was once a student at the University of Arenado. It was announced as Joel Wolfe of Wasserman Media Group as of November 2015.

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Early life and amateur career

Nolan James Arenado was born in Newport Beach, California, and grew in Lake Forest, an Orange County suburb sandwiched between Irvine, Mission Viejo, and Laguna Hills. Fernando's father, Fernando, is of Cuban origins, and his mother, Millie, a New York native, is of Cuban and Puerto Rican origins. Fernando Jr., his older brother, and Jonah, a younger brother, were all infielders in the San Francisco Giants organization. Josh Fuentes, his first cousin, has played for the Rockies.

Arenado grew up to be a Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He attended El Toro High School in Lake Forest and played shortstop on the school's baseball team, as well as future major leaguers Austin Romine and Matt Chapman. El Toro of Arenado's junior year won the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section championship in 2008. Since leading his division with a.456 batting average, 32 runs batted in (RBI), and 33 runs scored, he was welcomed to the Los Angeles Times' All-Star team.

Arenado, a senior, batted.517,.615 on-base percentage (OBP), five home runs (HR), 14 doubles, and a triple, and was recently selected to the Los Angeles Times' All-Star team for the first time. On a college baseball scholarship, he pledged to Arizona State University (ASU) to attend a college baseball scholarship.

Professional career

In the second round of the 2009 MLB draft, the Colorado Rockies selected Arenado for the 59th overall pick. He signed with the Rockies rather than attending ASU and made his professional baseball debut with the Casper Ghosts of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, where he batted.300 runs. Arenado played for the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2010, where he had a.308 batting average and 41 doubles.

Baseball America rated Arenado as the Rockies' third-best prospect and 80th overall in the 2011 season. He was well-known as a hitter but not so much as a defender. While playing for the Modesto Nuts of the Class A-Advanced California League, he began working harder on his defense. Although he had previously displayed amazing arm strength and soft hands, his feet were neutralized by his inept footwork. Arenado recalled later that he had "real bad feet" and "was too lazy" for which Modesto boss Jerry Weinstein scolded him. Arenado was ordered by the emperor to gather ground balls earlier than the other players and to move quickly and precisely, as well as maintain readiness at third base. In addition, Arenado started lifting weights in earnest while trying to improve himself. Eventually, the job gave him a mash-up of explosive vigor, ingenuity, and finesse that enabled him to cover wide areas and produce quick and short throws from upright to almost laying down.

Arenado, along with Wilin Rosario, represented the Rockies at the 2011 All-Star Futures Game. With six home runs and 42 RBI, his first-half totals were in for a.283 batting average. He finished the season with a.298 batting average and 20 home runs, leading the minor leagues with 122 RBI. After hitting.388 with six home runs and 33 RBI later this year, he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Arizona Fall League (AFL). Arenado batted.315 runs, 26 home runs, and 44 doubles in 163 games in the California League and AFL in 2011. In 2012, he was selected to attend the All-Star Futures Game while playing for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League. He ended the year with a.285 batting average, 12 home runs, and 56 RBI.

Despite a good spring training result in 2013, the Rockies optioned Arenado to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL). He batted.364, 1.059 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), three home runs, and 21 RBI with Colorado Springs through April 28. Colorado drafted him to the major leagues, and named Chris Nelson for assignment to make room on the roster at that time.

In his MLB debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Arenado went 0-for-3. In a 12–2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, he scored his first three MLB hits in his second game, including his first MLB home run off of pitcher Josh Wall. Off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price, he scored his first major league grand slam and second home run in his sixth game. Arenado's defensive prowess translated to the major leagues, with ESPN.com announcing on September 7 that he would have been ranked second for a hypothetical National League (NL) Defensive MVP award. In Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), 37–30, he trailed only shortstop Andrelton Simmons for the league lead. He appeared in 133 major league games and finished with a record of.267/.405 with 10 home runs and 52 RBI. He ranked third basemen in the three games (3.08) and per nine innings (3.24), and was second in putouts (91), assists (39) and double plays turned (tied with two others with 27).

Arenado became the first NL rookie to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award at third base in both major leagues since Frank Malzone won in the American League in 1957. Arenado is tied for seventh place with Evan Gattis in the NL Rookie of the Year Award voting, which was won by José Fernández, with Arenado receiving the most votes as a third baseman.

In a 9–4 victory over Brandon McCarthy of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arenado's first multi-home run game of his career occurred on April 5, 2014, the first multi-home run game of his career. Arenado smashed the Rockies' streak record in his 28th straight game on May 8, beating Michael Cuddyer set the previous record. Arenado sustained a mallet fracture of his left middle finger during a headfirst slide into second base in a game against the Atlanta Braves on May 23, and was later placed on the 15-day disabled list (DL).

Arenado missed 37 games due to the fracture but returned on June 28. For the week ending August 24, he received his first NL Player of the Week Award. He batted.545 with 1.645 OPS and 12 runs, three doubles, one triple, two home runs, three RBI, and six runs scored. Arenado missed additional time at the end of the season due to a chest infection and early onset pneumonia. He batted.287/.333/.500 on the year, winning 18 home runs and driving in 61 runs. Despite playing in only 111 games, he received his second Gold Glove Award.

Arenado earned his second NL Player of the Week Award in 2015, winning six games, seven home runs, and 14 RBI. He scored ten times, the second most in the major leagues, behind second. For the first time as a National League reserve at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, he became an MLB All-Star. He was fifth in the majors in home runs with 24 runs and led in RBI with 68, at the time his pick was announced. He had more home runs in road games than at Coors Field (15 to nine) and had higher on-base (.318 to.580) percentages. Arenado was home in his sixth straight game against the San Francisco Giants on September 5, defeating the Rockies' team record of five players, which Dante Bichette and Larry Walker shared. He received his first NL Player of the Month award in September, batting.339 and leading the major leagues with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, and 79 total bases. He had a NL-leading 38 hits and finished second in the league with.705 SLG.

Arenado tied for the NL home run title with 42 runs, led the National League with 130 RBI and 354 total bases in the 2015 season. In addition,, he scored.387 with a.323 OBP,.898 SLG, 43 doubles, and 11 sacrifice flies on his way to win his first Silver Slugger Award for third basemen. He was the first Rockies player to lead the National Home Runs since Walker retired at 49 in 1997, and he was the first Rockies player to lead the majors in RBI since Andrés Galarraga 1996. In addition, Arenado set a new franchise hit by a third baseman in one season, beating Chipper Jones' total of 87 in 1999.

Arenado earned his third gold glove in his third straight appearance, and he was named the top baseman in both the Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards for both the Fielding Bible and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year awards for third baseman. Following shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, he became the second Rockies player to win the Fielding Bible at any position. Arenado was named the recipient of the prestigious Professional Athlete of the Year Award for 2015. For the first time, he was nominated for the NL MVP Award, ranking eighth in voting behind Harper, Paul Goldschmidt, Joey Votto, Anthony Rizzo, Andrew McCutchen, Jake Arrieta, and Zack Greinke.

On January 15, 2016, Arenado and the Rockies ruled out salary arbitration after agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract, up from $512,000 in 2015. Since leading the NL with four home runs and 12 RBI, he was named NL co-Player of the Week with Harper on April 18th. He had a.852 SLG, led the NL with 23 total bases and tied for second with seven runs scored. Arenado played in his second All-Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego. On August 8, he made his 100th home run in franchise history, becoming the youngest player to do so in franchise history at less than 25 years and four months.

Arenado was the second player under the age of 25 and younger to drive in 125 runs in consecutive seasons in September. Arenado had a batting average of.294, 362 hits, 35 doubles, 116 runs scored, an MLB-leading 133 RBI, a.942 SLG, and a.932 OPS in 160 games. Arenado won his third Gold Glove at third base in his first four seasons, as well as his second Silver Slugger, Fielding Bible, and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was also the first person in Rockies history to lead the Majors in RBIs in two separate seasons. Arenado came in fifth place in the NL MVP Award voting, behind Kris Bryant, Daniel Murphy, Corey Seager, and Rizzo, who all received nearly double the number of vote points as he had gotten the year ahead (199 points in 2016 vs. 102 in 2015).

Arenado and the Rockies avoided arbitration for the second year in a row by agreeing to a two-year $29.5 million deal prior to spring training. During the 2018 season, he earned $11,750,000 for 2017 and $17,750,000 for 2018. He hit the San Francisco Giants on June 18 for the cycle on June 18. The home run was a walk off against Mark Melancon, resulting in a 75% win for the Rockies. It was the sixth time a cycle in MLB history that featured a walk-off home run; Arenado's Carlos González was the first to do so on July 31, 2010. Arenado's eighth was the eighth by a Rockies player in his career, and Coors Field's 17th overall at Coors Field. Ty Blach, who was facing third base, spun on his stomach, and, without getting up on his feet, toss Blach at first base.

Arenado was selected to start in the MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park in Miami for the first time in his career, after receiving the most fan votes of any National League third baseman. Arenado batted sixth and collected two singles in two at bats in his third overall pick. Arenado hit three home runs and five hits in a 19–4 loss to the San Diego Padres on July 19. During his career-high seven RBI, he tied a career-high seven RBI. He tied for the number of total bases in a single game with 14 players, and became the first player in Rockies history to record both three home runs and five hits in a single game. He was also the first major league player to reach 80 RBIs. For the fourth time in his career, Arenado was voted Player of the Week for four out runs and 13 RBI in five games. After hitting.389/.44.1 with eight home runs, 35 runs, 15 extra base hits, 30 RBIs, and 18 runs scored in 22 games, he received the Player of the Month Award for July, his second monthly award.

Arenado was the first major leaguer to reach 100 RBI in a row during his third year in a row, winning in 112 games. In those 112 games, he had batted.441 and 77 RBI with runners in scoring position (RISP). In the seventh inning versus Miami for throwing his bat, he was ejected by umpire Pat Hoberg from the August 12 game. In the ninth inning, Arenado's batting average was up, but Miami defeated Miami 4-3. On August 14, Vance Worley's pitch struck him on the left hand. There were no fractures on his X-rays, and he was ruled to miss the DL, but swelling ensued. Arenado scored in his 125th game of the season on September 16 against the Padres on September 16, becoming the first third baseman and first Rockies player to do so in three seasons. He became the 11th player and 1st third baseman in major league history to drive in 130 or more runs in three seasons. Joe Rivera, a writer for The Sporting News, noted that Arenado was the fourth player in history to win at least 100 defensive runs in his first five seasons (103). He had batted.365 and 1.297 OPS in situations of two outs and runners in scoring position for the season as a result. Arenado went 1-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored as the Rockies lost to the Diamondbacks 11–8 at Chase Field, his first appearance in the NL Wild Card Game.

Arenado had a.309 batting average, 43 doubles, seven triples, 37 home runs, tying for third most in the league, with teammate Charlie Blackmon and Miami's Marcell Ozuna), with 37 RBI. Arenado was second second to Giancarlo Stanton for the big league lead by two runs, resulting in Arenado's third straight season without leading the majors. He also hit 100 runs, 355 total bases, three deliberate walks, three stolen bases,.3703 OBP,.586 SLG, and.959 OPS over 159 games. He hit, doubles, triples, total bases, stolen bases, OBP, SLG, and OPS, and tied for career highs in batting average, hits, doubles, triples, triples, and OPS.

Arenado's third baseman of Baseball America's All-Million Team was selected as the third baseman of the All-MLB Team, earning the third Silver Slugger Award and third consecutive Silver Slugger Award. "The player who consistently displays grit, tenacity, perseverance, and hustle on and off the field" was named as the Player Choice for the Majestic Athletic Surely Game Award, benefiting his teammates and fans. An amplitude of defensive accolades has culminated, with his fifth straight Gold Glove Award winning his first infielder to arrogate this in each of his first five seasons in the major leagues. Only Ichiro Suzuki, a right fielder, earned more Gold Gloves to start his career (10)). Arenado received his first Platinum Glove Award as the best defensive player of the National League, as well as a third award for third base from both the Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. He earned his fourth position in the NL MVP voting, his highest ranking of his career—behind Stanton, Votto and Goldschmidt, and ahead of fifth-place Blackmon.

Sports Illustrated rated Arenado as the eighth best overall player and the "best defensive infielder in baseball" prior to the 2018 season. Third base is the lowest position in baseball today, but no one can do what Arenado can," says the narrator. The Rockies and he decided to hold contract extension talks off until the season.

Luis Perdomo of San Diego threw a pitch behind Arenado, who charged the mound and sparked a bench-clearing brawl on April 11, causing a bench-clearing brawl. Arenado and Perezo were suspended for five games two days after. Arenado lost his 150th home run to Kyle Hendricks in a 165 loss to the Chicago Cubs in his first game back. Arenado was named NL Player of the Week on June 25, after homering and registering at least two hits in each of four consecutive games. He had five home runs, two doubles, seven runs scored, and 13 RBIs for his.379/.419/.955 with five home runs, five runs, seven runs scored, and 13 RBI.

Arenado was selected in the 2018 MLB All-Star Game for the second year in a row, with his fourth pick overall despite a first-half batting.305, 22 home runs, and 63 RBI. He finished his 2018 season with 38 home runs and 110 RBIs in 156 games, while still hitting 104 runs and 39 doubles, a career-high 73 runs, 331 total bases, and a career-best 133 OPS+. He earned his sixth straight Gold Glove and his fourth straight Silver Slugger since the start of the season. With his former high school colleague Matt Chapman, he also received his second consecutive Rawlings Platinum Glove Award. Javier Baez of the Cubs and Christian Yelich of the Brewers also finished third in MVP voting.

Arenado has decided to an eight-year, $260 million contract extension with the Rockies, beginning on February 26, 2019. Against the Baltimore Orioles on May 25, he scored his 200th home run, a three-run go-ahead shot. He was selected by fan vote to begin in the MLB All-Star Game at third base in the National League, which was hosted in Cleveland.

Arenado finished the 2019 season on a high note in batting average, OBP, fielding percentage (.980), and on-base plus slugging (.962). He also ranked third in hits (185) and total bases (343), fourth in RBIs (118), and fifth in home runs (41), with runs scored (104), batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS. He also received his seventh straight Gold Glove Award and his third straight Platinum Glove Award, finishing second in MVP voting.

During the offseason, Arenado was unemployed in Colorado and had requested a trade, saying, "There's a lot of disrespect from people there that I don't want to be a part of." "We've listened to teams regarding Nolan, and absolutely nothing has come out of it," Arenado said of the Colorado season. Arenado batted.303/.434 in 48 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, earning eight home runs and 26 RBIs. He earned his eighth Gold Glove Award at third base, tying Scott Rolen for third-most Gold Gloves at the time.

The St. Louis Cardinals purchased Arenado from the Rockies on February 1, 2021, along with $51 million in exchange for Austin Gomber, Mateo Gil, Tony Locey, Elehuris Montero, and Jake Sommers.

In a 9–6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on March 29, Arenado scored his first home run as a Cardinal. In the Cardinal's home opener on April 8, he scored his first home run as a Cardinal, a go-ahead two-run homer in a game in which the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 3–1. At the 2021 Major League All-Star Game in Denver, Arenado was named as the National League's starting third baseman. Arenado batted 2021 with 34 home runs and 105 RBIs. He led National League third basemen in putouts (125), double plays (38), and range factor per game (2.66). He earned the Gold Glove Award at third base, one of five Cardinals to win this year, an MLB record. Mike Schmidt was ranked ninth in consecutive awards for a National League third baseman. Arenado may have left his deal with the Cardinals and become a free agent, but the Cardinals preferred to stay with the team throughout the season.

Arenado was jailed on April 27, 2022, after yelling at Yoan López for throwing near his head, triggering a bench-clearing brawl against the New York Mets, presumably as retaliation for the Cardinals after the throw was retribution for the Cardinals' hitting three Mets batters the night before. Arenado received a two-game suspension for the incident, but the suspension was reduced to one game after an appeal. After hitting.375 with five home runs, 17 RBIs, 12 extra-base hits, and a league-best 1.125 OPS, he was named Player of the Month for the National League in April. In May 1977, he became the first Cardinals third baseman to win the award since Ken Reitz.

Arenado batted a.196 average in May, batting a.196 average during the month. In the months of June and July, he was able to turn it around, batting.309 with 10 home runs and 28 runs batted in.

Arenado lost 5–3 to the Philadelphia Phillies on July 1, 2022, his second career cycle. In the first inning, he hit a triple, doubled in the third inning, and in the ninth, he singled out third baseman Matt Vierling's glove. It was the 17th cycle of Cardinals history. Arenado made his first home run in four straight games on July 2, 2022, the 11th in major league history. Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez, and Dylan Carlson all followed suit from starter Kyle Gibson in the first innings. It was the first time the Cardinals had done it, and it was the first time they had faced them in the first inning. Arenado won the game for St. Louis in the ninth inning of his second home run of the season, 7–6, marking his second at bat of his career. Arenado was chosen to represent the Cardinals at the All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

Arenado, as well as colleague Paul Goldschmidt, will not be able to travel with the Cardinals to Toronto on July 24, due to the lack of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Arenado was named NL Player of the Month for August. He batted a.364 average with 9 home runs and 29 runs batted in during the month. In August, Louis' appearance led to a 22-7 record.

Arenado made it seven seasons with 30 home runs and 100+ runs batted in his 10-year career, ending his 2022 season with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. He had the lowest ground ball percentage of all major leaguers (29.7%).

International career

Arenado played for the National Baseball Classic in 2017 (WBC). Team USA defeated Puerto Rico 8-0 on March 22, the first time the US has defeated the WBC.

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