Nolan Arenado

With a reputation for excellence in the field and a force to be reckoned with at the plate, Nolan James Arenado has solidified his status as one of today’s premier players in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on April 16, 1991, Arenado is an American professional baseball third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. On his journey to becoming one of the sport’s all-time best defensive third basemen, Arenado remarkably won the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award in his initial ten MLB seasons—an impressive feat exclusively held by him among infielders. His major league journey began with the Colorado Rockies in 2013 before a trade sent him to the Cardinals in 2021.

Origins of Arenado’s awe-inspiring career can be traced back to his Newport Beach, California roots, where he cultivated his skills at El Toro High School in Lake Forest before securing the Rockies’ second-round pick in the 2009 MLB draft. An eight-time MLB All-Star, he boasts a series of notable defensive accolades, including four Fielding Bible Awards, three consecutive Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and six continuous Rawlings Platinum Gloves—all tightly knotted with his ten Gold Gloves.

Arenado’s aggressive offensive prowess is just as distinguished. Garnering the Silver Slugger Award five times, he led the league in home runs and runs batted in (RBI) twice and has been the leader among all big leaguers in RBIs since the 2015 season began. Arenado’s minor league career was equally as distinguished, with two All-Star Futures Game selections and leading minor leagues in RBIs in 2011.

As a member of the Rockies, Arenado accomplished significant milestones, among them becoming the youngest player to reach 100 home runs for the franchise in 2016. He also managed to hit for the cycle twice—in June 2017 and July 2022, the latter of which saw him join the exclusive club of six players in history to finish such a performance with a walk-off home run. Arenado further inked his name in the baseball record books in 2017 by becoming the first third baseman to drive in 130 or more runs in three consecutive seasons.

Adding an international flavor to his illustrious career, Arenado has represented Team USA in global baseball competitions. The highlight of his international service was helping the team capture its first gold medal in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Born to Fernando and Millie Arenado, he not only inherited his Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry but also inherited a love for baseball. His older brother, Fernando Jr., and his younger brother, Jonah, also pursued professional baseball careers—the latter served as a corner infielder for the San Francisco Giants. A first cousin, Josh Fuentes, also joined the MLB as an infielder for the Rockies.

Arenado started his baseball journey as a Los Angeles Dodgers fan. His high school career was laden with success, first leading El Toro to a California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section championship as a junior, followed by recognition as an All-Star by the Los Angeles Times due to his impressive .456 batting average. As a senior, his extraordinary .517 batting percentage earned him another All-Star team spot.

Post-high school, Arenado had planned to attend Arizona State University on a baseball scholarship before the Rockies secured him in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft. His professional baseball journey began with the Casper Ghosts of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, where he boasted a .300 batting average.

A year later, Arenado played for the Class A South Atlantic League’s Asheville Tourists, showcasing a .308 batting average while pressing on his defense practice. Through early disappointments and achievements, Arenado continuously polished his skills, leading him to break numerous records, win numerous awards, and earn a memorable place in the world of baseball.