Nolan Arenado Bio
Nolan James Arenado is an American professional baseball third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on April 16, 1991, in Newport Beach, California. Arenado is celebrated as one of the best defensive third basemen in MLB history, making a significant impact with the Colorado Rockies after being drafted in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft. An eight-time All-Star and ten-time Gold Glove winner, his offensive skills also rank him among the elite in home runs and RBIs since 2015. Arenado continues to excel as a prominent figure in baseball.
Early Life and Background
Nolan James Arenado was born in Newport Beach, California, and raised in nearby Lake Forest, an Orange County city between Irvine, Mission Viejo, and Laguna Hills. His father, Fernando, is of Cuban ancestry, and his mother, Millie, a native of Queens, New York, is of Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry. He has an older brother, Fernando Jr., and his younger brother, Jonah, who was a corner infielder in the San Francisco Giants organization. A first cousin, Josh Fuentes, is also an infielder who has played for the Rockies. Arenado grew up a Los Angeles Dodgers fan and attended El Toro High School in Lake Forest, where he played shortstop on the school’s baseball team alongside future major leaguers Austin Romine and Matt Chapman. In 2008, during his junior year, El Toro won the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section championship. He was named to the Los Angeles Times’ All-Star team after leading his division with a .456 batting average, 32 runs batted in (RBI), and 33 runs scored. As a senior, Arenado batted .517 with a .615 on-base percentage, five home runs, 14 doubles, and a triple, earning another selection to the Los Angeles Times’ All-Star team. He committed to attend Arizona State University (ASU) on a college baseball scholarship but ultimately chose to pursue a professional career.
Path to Baseball
The Colorado Rockies selected Arenado in the second round with the 59th overall selection of the 2009 MLB draft. Rather than attend ASU, he signed with the Rockies and made his professional baseball debut with the Casper Ghosts of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, where he batted .300. In 2010, Arenado played for the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, posting a .308 batting average and 41 doubles. Before the 2011 season, Baseball America ranked Arenado as the Rockies’ third-best prospect and 80th overall. He was highly acclaimed as a hitter, but his defensive skills needed improvement. While playing for the Modesto Nuts of the Class A-Advanced California League, he began working harder on his defense, which ultimately enhanced his performance. Arenado represented the Rockies at the 2011 All-Star Futures Game and finished the season with a .298 batting average and 20 home runs, leading the minor leagues with 122 RBI. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Arizona Fall League after hitting .388 with six home runs and 33 RBI. In 2012, playing for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League, he was again named to the All-Star Futures Game.
Nolan Arenado Career
Early Career (2013–2020)
Arenado made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2013. Despite a strong spring training showing, he was optioned to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League to start the season. After a strong performance, he was promoted to the major league club. Arenado went 0-for-3 in his MLB debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks but recorded his first three MLB hits in his second game, including his first MLB home run. He hit his first major league grand slam in his sixth game and finished the season with a .267 batting average, 10 home runs, and 52 RBI. On October 29, 2013, Arenado became the first National League rookie to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award at third base. He continued to excel in his second season, earning his first All-Star selection and leading the league in home runs and RBIs in 2015. He won his first Silver Slugger Award that year and became the first Rockies player to lead the National League in home runs since 1997. Arenado’s defensive prowess also earned him consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and he was recognized as the major league-wide winner among third basemen for both the Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
Breakthrough (2021–Present)
On February 1, 2021, Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit his first home run as a Cardinal on March 29, 2021, and was named the National League’s starting third baseman at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. Arenado finished the 2021 season batting .255 with 34 home runs and 105 RBIs, winning his ninth consecutive Gold Glove Award. In 2022, he continued to perform at a high level, batting .293 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs, earning his tenth consecutive Gold Glove Award and being named a finalist for the National League Most Valuable Player Award. Arenado’s career statistics through the end of the 2023 season include a batting average of .282, with 1,921 hits, 353 home runs, and 1,184 RBIs. He has been recognized for his outstanding defensive skills, winning multiple Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Awards throughout his career.
Notable Works and Milestones
Nolan Arenado is known for his exceptional defensive skills and offensive production, making him one of the premier third basemen in MLB history. He has achieved numerous accolades, including eight All-Star selections and ten Gold Glove Awards. His ability to hit for power and drive in runs has solidified his place among the elite players in the league.
Nolan Arenado Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nolan Arenado has received numerous award nominations, recognizing his contributions to the game of baseball and his exceptional skills as a player.
Nolan Arenado Awards Won
Nolan Arenado has won multiple awards during his career, including eight All-Star selections, ten Gold Glove Awards, and five Silver Slugger Awards, highlighting his excellence both defensively and offensively.
Nolan Arenado Family
Nolan Arenado is married to Laura Kwan, his high school sweetheart, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter, in August 2022.
Personal Life
Arenado is a Christian and has a tattoo on his left forearm that reads Matthew 19:26. He has a street named after him in his hometown of Lake Forest, California.