Lars Nootbaar

Lars Taylor-Tatsuji Nootbaar, a renowned Japanese-American professional baseball outfielder, was born on September 8, 1997. Today, he shines for the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball (MLB), a testament to his spectacular talent. He also graces the international field representing the Japan national baseball team, demonstrating his multicultural identity’s influence on his professional course.

The roots of Nootbaar’s baseball journey trace back to El Segundo, California, where he was born and raised. His parents, Charlie Nootbaar, an American father of Dutch descent, and his Japanese mother, Kumiko Enokida, shaped his heritage and upbringing. Here, in the baseball and football fields of El Segundo High School, Nootbaar developed the makings of a promising athlete. He enthralled as a three-time league MVP in baseball and earned nods for his prowess in football, twice as the Eagles’ starting quarterback.

Despite receiving recruitment offers from UC Davis and Fordham to play college football, Nootbaar’s passion for baseball led him to the University of Southern California (USC). Following in his older brother, Nigel’s footsteps, Nootbaar became a three-year starter for the USC Trojans. His impressive performances, including a .313 hitting average with 34 RBIs, 33 runs scored, and seven home runs as a sophomore, garnered him an All-Pac-12 Conference selection. He further cemented his esteem with a stint in collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds at the illustrious Cape Cod Baseball League.

His college baseball years culminated in a .249 batting average as a junior, with six home runs and 24 RBIs added to his professional profile. His accelerating career saw him being selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB draft. The following four seasons in the minor league polished his skills before his grand transition to the major leagues in 2021.

Journeying through different levels of the minor leagues, Nootbaar’s commitment never wavered. From breaking team records at the State College Spikes to experiencing multiple promotions across clubs, his 2019 season stats stood at .264 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs over 101 games. The unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic could not dim his relentless pursuit of excellence.

Nootbaar’s resilience manifested again in 2021, when he bounced back from a hand injury to put up impressive figures, paving his path to the majors. Earning his spot on the 40-man roster, he made his debut in the elite left field against the Detroit Tigers, marking his indelible entry into the MLB timeline.

From his first career hit against the Tigers to his first pinch-hit home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Nootbaar’s MLB debut season was nothing short of exciting. The string of successes included another home run against the Kansas City Royals and a first career walk-off hit against the Tigers. The culmination of his 109-at-bat season was an invitation to the Arizona Fall League to play for the Glendale Desert Dogs.

The journey continued in 2022 with Nootbaar moving into a starting role after beginning the season as the fourth outfielder. A solid display over 108 games and 290 at-bats saw him scoring 14 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 16 doubles, winning him admiration from fans who cheered “Nooooot!” when he appeared on the field.

The year 2023 was a landmark one in Nootbaar’s career. He played mostly as the center fielder and put up another successful season, recording .261 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs over 117 games. Simultaneously, he crossed leagues to represent Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, propelled by a childhood experience that connected him with Japanese baseball. His contribution to the team’s gold-medal success made him the first player not born in Japan to represent the country in the World Baseball Classic.

The Nootbaar family tradition in baseball continues with Lars’ older brother, Nigel, who played as a pitcher at USC and signed on with the Baltimore Orioles system. The remarkable athleticism and commitment to baseball etched in the Nootbaar lineage undeniably contribute to Lars Nootbaar’s meteoric rise in MLB. As he continues his journey, the cheers of “Nooooot!” from Cardinal fans resonate in every stadium, a testament to the legacy and talent of Lars Taylor-Tatsuji Nootbaar.