Randy Arozarena

In 2016, Arozarena arrived in Mexico and had brief stints in the Mérida Winter League, Norte de México League, and with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League, before playing for the Mayos de Navojoa of the Mexican Pacific League during the winter.

Arozarena signed with St. Louis Cardinals as an international free agent in July 2016 for $1.25 million.[4] He made his minor league debut in 2017 and spent his first full professional season with both the Palm Beach Cardinals, with whom he was named a Florida State League All-Star,[5] and the Springfield Cardinals, posting a combined .266 batting average with 11 home runs, 49 RBIs and 18 stolen bases over 121 games between both clubs.[6] Following the season, he returned to the Mexican Pacific League to play for the Mayos de Navojoa for the 2017–2018 season, where he slashed .292/.366/.558 with 14 home runs and 37 RBIs in 64 games. That season the Mayos made it to the championship series, though the team did not win the series, Arozarena had a game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning in game 6.[7] Arozarena was a non-roster invitee to 2018 spring training.[8] He began the season with the Memphis Redbirds. In July 2018, he was selected to represent the Cardinals in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game.[9] Arozarena also spent time during the season with Springfield. With Memphis, he helped them win the Pacific Coast League title, and was named a co-MVP of the PCL playoffs alongside teammate Tommy Edman.[10] Over 113 games between Memphis and Springfield, he batted .274/.359/.433 with 12 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases.[6] Arozarena returned to play for Mayos de Navojoa in 2018 for the third time, but appeared in only 15 games.

Arozarena began the 2019 season on the injured list with Memphis[11] due to a fractured hand suffered during spring training.[12] He returned to play in May with Springfield before being promoted back to Memphis in June.[13][14]

On August 12, 2019, the Cardinals selected Arozarena's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.[15] He made his major league debut on August 14 versus the Kansas City Royals.[16] Over 19 games with St. Louis, Arozarena hit .300 with one home run, two RBIs, and two stolen bases.

On January 9, 2020, Arozarena was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays (along with José Martínez and the Cardinals’ Competitive Balance Round A Draft Pick) in exchange for Matthew Liberatore, Edgardo Rodriguez, and the Rays’ Competitive Balance Round B Draft Pick.[17] Over 23 games for the 2020 season, Arozarena batted .281 with seven home runs and 11 RBIs.

In Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, Arozarena hit a two-run home run, surpassing Evan Longoria for most home runs by a rookie in the postseason.[18] Arozarena was named the MVP of the ALCS, becoming the first rookie position player to win the award. In the series, he hit .321 with four home runs and six RBIs.[19] In the World Series, Arozarena hit home runs in the third, fourth, and sixth games, breaking the all-time record for most home runs in a single postseason.[20] In Game 3, he surpassed Derek Jeter for most hits by a rookie in the postseason.[21] In Game 5, he recorded his 27th hit in the postseason, surpassing Pablo Sandoval for the most hits in a single postseason.[22] Despite Arozarena's record-setting performance, the Rays lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.