Finding a home in Mexico after defecting from Cuba, Randy Arozarena impressed in the Mexican League to get signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017, playing well enough to get a late-season callup two years later. St. Louis traded him to Tampa the year after, and in the Sunshine State, he would become a star.
Arozarena played only 23 Games in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but he was a starter in Outfield during Tampa’s playoff run, where he won the ALCS MVP, blasting nine Home Runs in the post-season and winning the Babe Ruth Award. Still rookie eligible in 2021, Arozarena won the Rookie of the Year (20 HR, 145 Hits), and had 20 taters again in 2022. Arozarena had one of his most rewarding years in 2023, beginning by representing his new country, Mexico, in the World Baseball Classic where he had the defensive play of the tournament and a Slash Line of . He then made history as the first MLB player to start his career with three straight 20/20 years, and was an All-Star for the first time.
He enters 2024 as a must-watch performer, and is a prime candidate to vault (again) in this list.
Comments powered by CComment